The government is currently proposing a number of reforms regarding the UK's road network, including potentially altering the driving test in order to reflect a potential surge in driverless cars. The Independent on Sunday has reported that the proposals could be the most substantial reforms made since the driving test was originally introduced in 1935. A number of other reforms have been planned, including:
- Closing a number of test centres
- Cutting different jobs at motoring agencies
- Increasing the fees for non-essential services (such as personalised number plates)
- Raising the age at which drivers must declare themselves fit to drive from 70 to 75
The Department for Transport is currently preparing a consultation document on the reforms, and it's expected that it will be published in October: the Independent has obtained a first draft of the report. The plan is for the consultation to form the basis on next year's formal strategy on the future of the three main UK motoring agencies _ the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Vehicle Certification Authority (VCA). The Independent also reported that the Government is currently undertaking a separate review of the driving test, and is also trialling a new examination in which learners are asked to follow satellite navigation directions for a twenty minute period.
