Learning to drive is a big part of life and brings a young adult more independence and the ability to get themselves around. At 17, many young people in the UK will want to start having driving lessons immediately, in order to enable them to have that freedom.
The UK driving test has changed a great deal over the years, and this makes sense because the roads have changed. Roads have become busier, and as more people own cars, driving has also had to adapt to make sure that we are driving safely.
The first ever driving test was brought in in the UK in 1903. Cars were still a very new thing back then and it was not at all common to have one. A car was something that only the very rich could afford. The first driving licence was more a means of identification and cost five shillings, which was paid at the post office.
By the 1930s, times had started to change and although certainly not something that most people had, cars were more abundant on the roads. This was the decade that saw a lot of changes, from the introduction of the Highway code to compulsory testing for drivers, however all of this was suspended when the second world war arrived, as examiners were needed to help with the war effort. Testing didn’t resume until the end of 1946.
The prevalence of cars on the road grew through the 50s and 60s as more and more people started being able to own cars of their own. The demand rose for driving tests, and as cars changed the tests did too. By the middle of the 1970s, it was no longer required for candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of arm signals in a test, as cars were equipped with indicators by this point.
Another big addition to the driving test came in the 90s. The introduction of the theory test meant that candidates were required to take a theory test and pass it before they could take a practical test. This replaces the part where examiners asked about the Highway code, and it means that people learning to drive need to be aware of the various signs and signals that they might see when driving – from which vehicles will have used chevron kits like this www.vehiclechevrons.com to the correct towing speed for a caravan on a dual carriageway.
