Britain set to ditch the three-point turn from driving tests

It could be the end of the road for the three-point turn test manoeuvre.

Britain likely to re-angle its insistence on drivers mastering the standard turn

It's one of the biggest frustrations of urban motoring in Britain - timid drivers blocking roads in both directions as they tentatively drive backwards and forwards while attempting an ill-conceived three-point turn.

But the manoeuvre could soon be dropped from the driving test under plans announced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

The biggest shake-up of the test in 20 years could result in the "turn in the road" - as it is officially known - and "reverse around a corner" being dropped in favour of tests such as reversing out of a parking bay and rejoining the flow of traffic after pulling over.

Learners may also be tested on the use of sat nav in the skills added to the assessment.

Follow Driven on Facebook and Twitter for the latest road tests and motoring news.

But British automobile association RAC says the ability to perform a three-point turn is a valuable skill and hoped a suitable replacement would be included before it is "cast into driving test history".

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency says that about 1000 learner drivers will be asked to take part in a trial of proposed practical exam measures and says: "We are carrying out research to explore how the driving test could better reflect real-life driving.

Any future changes would be subject to full public consultation."

• Read more New driver licence laws in force
• Read more Traffic signs a mystery for UK many drivers

The Driving Instructors Association, the largest industry body representing driver and rider trainers, welcomed the plans to review the test, with chief executive Carly Brookfield saying: "We have been heavily involved in this project and are enthusiastic about the opportunity it presents to evolve the test to a level where it more realistically assesses a candidate's ability to competently and safely manage road-based risk and driving in real life, on real roads."

RAC director Professor Stephen Glaister says sat navs "are not infallible and it is when they have led us down a dead end that we need to know how to do a three-point turn.
"It's fine to add some aspects to the test but we should be cautious about removing the basics, especially when they continue to catch so many people out."

More than half the 1.5 million practical tests taken last year were failed. The top three reasons were errors made in observation at junctions, using mirrors, and steering control, the RAC says.

Joe Bangudu, of Uncle Joe's driving school in Manchester, says the ability to perform a three-point turn is sometimes a sign of the "confidence of the driver" but motorists could also find themselves in difficulty if they chose the wrong place to try the manoeuvre.

However, that is not the biggest bugbear for most learner drivers.

"Reverse parking is more challenging from my experience," Bangudu says. "Turn in the road is a more straightforward thing. I don't suppose a lot of people find it difficult."

He says the proposed changes appear to be a good thing. "It's more to reflect everyday driving rather than staged situations - that's the point. It's going in the right direction."

-Independent