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Independent Driving: Sat-Nav and Following Signs

For 20 minutes of your test, you'll drive without turn-by-turn instruction. Here's how to handle it.

6 min read

Independent driving is a 20-minute section of every driving test where you follow either a sat-nav or road signs — without the examiner telling you where to turn. Most learners find this easier than expected. Taking a wrong turn does not automatically mean a fault.

The Full Guide

About 4 out of 5 tests use a sat-nav (the DVSA-approved TomTom device). 1 in 5 use road signs. With sat-nav, the examiner sets it up — you just follow the instructions. With road signs, the examiner will tell you the general direction (e.g. "Follow signs for the town centre") and you navigate from there.

Common Faults

  • Looking at the sat-nav screen too long instead of the road
  • Swerving or braking sharply after realising a wrong turn
  • Failing to observe or signal correctly while focusing on navigation
  • Missing signs because not scanning far enough ahead
  • Asking the examiner for directions during independent driving (they won't help)

What the Examiner Looks For

  • Safe driving throughout — not perfect navigation
  • Normal use of mirrors and signals — not abandoned during navigation
  • Calm reaction to any wrong turns
  • Evidence you're reading signs and planning lane choice in advance

Quick Tips

  • 1Ask your instructor to practise independent driving in your last few lessons
  • 2Trust the sat-nav audio — don't keep glancing at the screen
  • 3If you miss a turn, keep driving safely — recalculation is fine
  • 4Remember: the examiner is marking your driving, not your navigation

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