History of the Driving Test

Want to know your driving test history?

Find out here...

how the UK driving test has evolved

When you're involved in something special in your life it makes so much sense to find out all there is to know about the subject...

So, as you're searching for information about passing your driving test I thought you'd be interested in this.

The Driving Standards Agency produced a document showing how the driving test has evolved since it first began in the 1930's

I've included a section of it for you on this page...

It's interesting reading...See if you can find the Mr Beene connection.

Hope you enjoy it!

The Driving test timeline

1930

Age restrictions and a form of driving tests brought in for disabled drivers. Full licences for disabled drivers valid for a year.

The Road Traffic Act 1930 introduces licensing system for PSVs.

1931

PSV drivers could be required to take a test, at discretion of Traffic Commissioners.

First edition of the Highway code introduced.

16 Feb 1934

Licences for lorry drivers are introduced under the Road Traffic Act, 1934. The licensing authority may require the applicant to submit to a practical test of their ability.

1935

Voluntary testing is introduced by the Road Traffic Act, 1934, to avoid a rush of candidates when the test becomes compulsory.

Mr J Beene is the first person to pass his driving test, at a cost of 7 / 6d (£0.37.5 new pence)

1 Jun 1935

Compulsory testing brought in for all drivers who started driving on or after 1 Apr 1934:

• around 246,000 candidates apply 
• the pass rate is 63%, 
• 250 examiners taking at least nine, and up to sixteen, half-hour driving tests a day.
• Examining staff also make all test bookings. There are no test centres, examiners meet candidates at a pre-arranged spot such as a car park or railway station.
• Anyone buying a driving licence must put ‘L’ plates on the car and eventually take a driving test to get their full licence.

2 Sept 1939

Driving tests suspended for the duration of World War Two and resumed on 1 November 1946. During the war, examiners are designated Traffic Officers and supervise fuel rationing.

1 Jan 1940

HGV licences and tests are suspended during World War Two.

18 Feb 1947

A period of a year granted for wartime provisional licences to be converted into full licence without passing the test.

1950

The pass rate for the driving test is 50%.

19 Oct 1956

The test fee doubles from 10 shillings to £1

24 Nov 1956

Testing suspended again during the Suez Crisis. Learners allowed to drive unaccompanied and examiners help to administer petrol rations.

Testing is resumed on 15 April 1957 and has continued uninterrupted ever since.

1959

Examiner training transferred to the newly acquired Stanmore Training School. Up until now, examiners have been trained ‘on the job’

1963

New grouping systems are introduced for driving tests and driving licences and a distinction is made between the test of competence and the test of fitness.

The Road Traffic Act 1962 permits riders to ride motorcycles of more than 250cc after passing their test.

Mopeds are placed in their own vehicle group for driving test purposes.

1 May 1965

The application form for a driving licence is revised.

The distance from which a driving test candidate must be able read a number plate is changed to 67 feet for 3 1/8 inch high characters.

10 May 1967

The Road Safety Act 1967 paves the way for regulations covering the licensing and testing of HGV drivers.

2 Jul 1968

The test fee rises to £1.15 shillings.

2 Jun 1969

Vehicles used in the test must not have dual accelerator control unless this has been made inoperable.

A separate driving licence group for automatic vehicles is introduced.

Candidates are required to produce their driving licence to the examiner at the test and sign the examiner’s attendance record. Examiners may refuse to conduct a test if these requirements are not fulfilled.

25 Jun 1969

The Vehicle and Driver Licences Act introduces new regulations, including a licence fee increase and the specification of vehicle groupings for the purposes of driving tests.

4 Aug 1969

An up-to-date scheme is introduced for licensing and testing new lorry drivers:

1970

The new HGV test prompts a change in PSV testing. Until now vehicle inspectors have carried out PSV driving tests: this is taken over by examiners who are now HGV qualified.

1972

The demand for driving tests rises by 20%, and a further 15% in the following year, leading to a huge backlog of tests.

May 1975

Candidates no longer have to demonstrate arm signals

July 1976

The Driving Establishment for testing examiners moves to Cardington. Newly recruited ‘L’ test examiners undergo four weeks of training.

Mar 1985

Passenger service vehicle (PSV) driving tests become compulsory. Up until now, Traffic Commissioners decided whether local applicants took the test.

1988

From now on driving tests are conducted under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

1 Oct 1989

Prompted by alarming accident figures, the old-style ‘Part 2’ motorcycle test, where the examiner stands by the roadside, is replaced by the new, more demanding ‘pursuit test’. The examiner now follows the candidate on a motorcycle or in a car and maintains radio contact during the test.

1 Apr 1990

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is created as an executive agency of the Department for Transport..

1 May 1990

Examiners give candidates a brief explanation of faults committed during the test, plus advice on areas for improvement.

Nov 1995

The Pass Plus scheme is introduced to help newly qualified young drivers gain valuable driving experience and reduce the risk of them being involved in an accident.

1 Jul 1996

A separate written theory test introduced, replacing questions asked about the Highway Code during practical test.

Candidates now have to produce their provisional driving licence for their test.

1 Jan 1997

A new test category is created for a car with large trailer (B+E).

Licence categories and tests are introduced for Direct Access and small motorcycles

The written theory test is introduced for LGV and PCV drivers.

1 Mar 1997

Photographic ID is now required for both practical and theory tests

1 Jun 1997

If a new driver gains six or more penalty points during the first two years of driving, they lose their licence and must retake both the theory and practical driving test before being allowed back on the roads

29 Sept 1997

For Car and Motorcycle Drivers, the minimum wait between tests of the same category is reintroduced for unsuccessful candidates, set at ten days.

For Lorry and Bus Driver testing, a minimum wait of three days between tests of the same category for unsuccessful candidates is introduced.

6 Apr 1999

Cars being used for a driving test must now have a front passenger seat belt, head restraint and rear-view mirror.

4 May 1999

Changes to the ‘L’ test include extending the length of the test, randomising the emergency stop manoeuvre and failing candidates for committing 16 or more driving faults

4 Jan 2000

The touch-screen theory test is introduced.

1 Feb 2001

People gaining a full car licence must now take CBT before being able to ride a moped.

19 Dec 2001

Candidates can now book their theory test via the internet

14 Nov 2002

A hazard perception element is introduced into the theory test; this uses video clips to test candidates’ awareness of hazards on the road.

01 Sept 2003

Show me/Tell me vehicle safety questions added to the beginning of the driving test.

24 Oct 2003

Candidates can now book their practical driving test via the internet.

03 Sept 2007

The theory test changed by increasing the number of questions from 35 to 50 with 43 correct answers required to pass.

The score for the hazard perception test remains unchanged at 44 out of 75.

Call me now if you'd like to talk about making a booking: