Mastering Independent Driving and Sat Nav Use

Independent driving is the part of the practical test where you drive without the examiner telling you every turn. Instead, you follow a sat nav or traffic signs and show that you can make your own safe decisions, much as you will after you pass. This guide explains how it works under the current arrangements and how to prepare for it in an automatic car. It is written for learners in Brighton and Hove, Burgess Hill, Lancing and nearby areas, but applies anywhere in Great Britain.

Nothing here guarantees a pass, and every learner progresses differently. The aim is to help you understand what is expected and practise the right skills with your instructor.

What is independent driving?

During the independent driving part of the test, you make your own decisions about how to follow the route. The examiner does not give turn-by-turn instructions while you follow the sat nav or signs. DVSA’s Ready to Pass campaign describes it as a normal part of driving after you pass, giving you a chance to experience what that feels like while you are still learning.

It matters because drivers can lose concentration when navigating or correcting mistakes, which increases the chance of sudden decisions or missed hazards. Following directions and driving safely are not the same thing. Directions tell you where to go. Safe decision-making tells you whether, when and how to do it. If a direction cannot be followed safely, for example because you are in the wrong lane or a bus has stopped ahead, safety wins.

The latest test arrangements

DVSA made some adjustments to the car test permanent from 24 November 2025: fewer stops, emergency stops in 1 in 7 tests instead of 1 in 3, and more flexibility in the independent driving section, which can now run for the full duration of the test. Here is what current GOV.UK and DVSA guidance says:

Examiner guidance adds that going off route or needing reminders of where to go are not in themselves faults, and that a test should not be ended because a candidate is struggling to understand independent driving instructions. In exceptional circumstances an examiner can shorten the independent section and give normal directions instead. This is guidance for examiners, so use it for understanding rather than planning to rely on it. See our guide to the 2026 driving test booking rules for other recent changes.

Following sat nav directions safely

• Listen, then look. Take in the instruction, then check the road. Do not stare at the screen. Keep your main focus on the road.
• Prepare early. Use the advance directions to plan your position, speed and mirror checks well before a junction.
• Read the road. Signs, road markings and lane arrows tell you what the road allows.
• Choose your lane early. Last-second moves cause dangerous lane changes.
• Roundabouts. The sat nav may say ‘take the second exit’. Check the signs and markings to choose the right lane on approach. The Highway Code roundabout rules explain lane use.
• If a direction is unclear, do not guess suddenly. Carry on safely along the road you are on, and use the next safe opportunity to continue.
• If an instruction comes too late, do not brake sharply or swerve. Miss the turn and let the route recalculate.
• Keep full control. Smooth speed, steady steering and safe following distances matter more than keeping to the route.

The Highway Code also covers driver distractions. Road safety always takes priority over a sat nav instruction.

Following traffic signs

• Recognise direction signs. Look for destination names and road numbers, and know the colours and layouts used on different road types. See the Highway Code traffic signs.
• Plan lanes early. Signs before junctions and roundabouts show which lane goes where.
• Expect changes. Signs may change from one destination to another as you travel. Keep reading ahead.
• Keep safe positioning and speed while you read. Do not slow suddenly to look at a sign.
• When the route is unclear, carry on safely and look for the next sign. If you cannot see one, the examiner gives directions until you can.

What if you make a navigation mistake?

A navigation mistake does not automatically mean failing. The examiner assesses the safety and standard of your driving, not whether you followed the route perfectly.

The driving skills you need

Skill 27 in the Ready to Pass campaign, Independent driving and using a sat nav, says that to keep full control you should be able to:

• plan ahead so you do not need to make late decisions
• follow sat nav directions or traffic signs calmly and confidently
• use the mirrors – signal – manoeuvre (MSM) and position – speed – look (PSL) routines
• position the car correctly and in good time
• use lanes correctly, with or without directional information
• respond safely to other road users
• recognise and respond to traffic signs and road markings

In practice this means observation and mirror checks before every change of speed or direction, clear signalling, correct positioning, speed suited to conditions, a safe following distance (see stopping distances), early hazard awareness, steady lane discipline and calm recovery from mistakes. Learning in an automatic car does not reduce the thinking involved. You still need to plan ahead and make good decisions.

How to practise

Work with your instructor, and practise only under appropriate supervision and within the law. Ideas for lessons include:

• Sat nav on unfamiliar roads. Practise in different parts of Brighton and Hove, Burgess Hill, Lancing and beyond, not just roads you know.
• Following signs to a destination without a sat nav, then discussing how well you read them.
• A range of junctions and roundabouts, including multi-lane ones, with lane choice and route planning.
• Mock tests that include independent driving. Ask your instructor to build one into a mock test.
• Reviewing mistakes after each lesson, so the same one does not repeat.

If you practise privately, Safe Driving for Life says your supervisor must be over 21, have held a licence for the type of car for at least 3 years and receive no payment, and the car must be insured and show L plates. Set the sat nav before you move off, because using a handheld phone while driving is illegal. Our guides to driving at night and how many lessons to take a week may help your planning.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Our broader guide to common learner driver mistakes covers more. Mistakes specific to independent driving include:

Preparation checklist

• I have practised sat nav routes and sign-following routes in different areas.
• I can read direction signs and road markings confidently.
• I understand what the examiner asks me to do and have asked my instructor about clarification.
• I have completed a mock test that includes independent driving.
• I make my own safe decisions and do not wait for prompts.
• I know how to recover calmly if I miss a turn.

Aim to be ready to drive safely and independently on any route, rather than memorising routes. Routes are not published, so memorising is not possible anyway. For wider test preparation, read how to increase your chances of passing your driving test.

FAQs

How long does independent driving last?

GOV.UK says 20 to 35 minutes. Older information giving exactly 20 minutes is out of date.

Do I have to follow a sat nav?

Not always. You may follow a sat nav, traffic signs or both, and the examiner tells you which.

Can I use my own sat nav?

No. The examiner sets up their own.

Does missing a turn mean I fail?

No. A wrong turning is not a fault in itself, and the examiner will help you back on route. The result depends on the safety of your driving.

What if I cannot see a sign?

The examiner gives directions until you can see the next sign.

Can I practise the route beforehand?

No. Test routes are not published.

Is independent driving different in an automatic car?

No. GOV.UK says the test is the same for manual and automatic cars.