As of December 2017, the UK driving test has undergone a number of changes in order to better reflect real-world driving conditions. One of these changes is the introduction of sat navs as part of the test. If you’re wondering whether you’ll need to follow a sat nav on your driving test, the answer is yes.
During the independent driving portion of the test, most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav supplied by the examiner. The examiner will set up the sat nav (a TomTom Start 52) and input the route for you.
It is not necessary to practise with a specific make or model of sat nav, as you will be required to use the one provided by the examiner during the test. You will not be able to use your own sat nav device. This part of the test lasts around 20 minutes.
If you are unsure of your destination, you may ask the examiner for confirmation. Making a wrong turn will not result in an automatic fail, unless a fault is made as a result.
It is worth noting that approximately 20% of driving tests do not involve the use of a sat nav, and instead require candidates to follow traffic signs.
