Tony Adams School of Motoring

1923

First roundabouts developed

1927

First automatic traffic lights Installed in Leeds and Wolverhampton.

1930

Minimum driving age set.
Full licences for disabled drivers valid for a year.
The Road Traffic Act 1930 introduces licensing system for PSVs.

1931

Highway Code first published.
PSV drivers could be required to take a test, at discretion of Traffic Commissioners.

1934

Cats eyes invented.
Licences for lorry drivers are introduced under the Road Traffic Act, 1934. The licensing authority may require the applicant to submit to a practical test of their ability

1935

First driving tests held costing 10 shillings.
Mr J Beene is the first person to pass his driving test.
250 examiners taking at least nine, and up to sixteen, half-hour driving tests a day.
The pass rate is 63%.

1939

Driving tests suspended for the duration of World War Two and resumed on 1 November 1946. During the war, examiners are designated Traffic Officers and supervise fuel rationing.

1940

HGV licences and tests are suspended during World War Two.

1947

A period of a year granted for wartime provisional licences to be converted into full licence without passing the test.

1950

Seatbelts introduced.
The pass rate for the driving test is 50%.

1951

Zebra crossings introduced.

1956

The test fee doubles from 10 shillings to £1
Testing suspended again during the Suez Crisis. Learners allowed to drive unaccompanied and examiners help to administer petrol rations.

1957

Testing is resumed on 15 April 1957 and has continued uninterrupted ever since.

1959

Examiner training transferred to the newly acquired Stanmore Training School. Up until now, examiners have been trained ‘on the job’

1963

New grouping systems are introduced for driving tests and driving licences and a distinction is made between the test of competence and the test of fitness.
The Road Traffic Act 1962 permits riders to ride motorcycles of more than 250cc after passing their test.
Mopeds are placed in their own vehicle group for driving test purposes.

1965

The application form for a driving licence is revised.
The distance from which a driving test candidate must be able read a number plate is changed to 67 feet for 3 1/8 inch high characters.

1967

Fitted seatbelts compulsory in new cars.

1968

The test fee rises to £1.15 shillings.

1969

Vehicles used in the test must not have dual accelerator control unless this has been made inoperable.
A separate driving licence group for automatic vehicles is introduced.
Candidates are required to produce their driving licence to the examiner at the test and sign the examiner’s attendance record. Examiners may refuse to conduct a test if these requirements are not fulfilled.
An up-to-date scheme is introduced for licensing and testing new lorry drivers.

1970

The new HGV test prompts a change in PSV testing. Until now vehicle inspectors have carried out PSV driving tests: this is taken over by examiners who are now HGV qualified.

1972

The demand for driving tests rises by 20%, and a further 15% in the following year, leading to a huge backlog of tests.

1975

Candidates no longer have to demonstrate arm signals

1976

Mini roundabouts introduced.
The Driving Establishment for testing examiners moves to Cardington. Newly recruited ‘L’ test examiners undergo four weeks of training.

1985

Passenger service vehicle (PSV) driving tests become compulsory. Up until now, Traffic Commissioners decided whether local applicants took the test.

1988

From now on driving tests are conducted under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

1989

Prompted by alarming accident figures, the old-style ‘Part 2’ motorcycle test, where the examiner stands by the roadside, is replaced by the new, more demanding ‘pursuit test’. The examiner now follows the candidate on a motorcycle or in a car and maintains radio contact during the test.

1990

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is created as an executive agency of the Department for Transport.
Examiners give candidates a brief explanation of faults committed during the test, plus advice on areas for improvement.

1992

Speed enforcement cameras at permanent sites.

1995

The Pass Plus scheme is introduced to help newly qualified young drivers gain valuable driving experience and gain valuable driving experience and reduce the risk of them being involved in an accident.

1996

Driving Theory Test.
Candidates now have to produce their driving licence for their test.

1997

A new test category is created for a car with large trailer (B+E).
Licence categories and tests are introduced for Direct Access and small motorcycles.
The written theory test is introduced for LGV and PCV drivers.
Photographic ID is now required for both practical and theory tests.
If a new driver gains six or more penalty points during the first two years of driving, they lose their licence and must retake both the theory and practical driving test before being allowed back on the roads.
For Car and Motorcycle Drivers, the minimum wait between tests of the same category is reintroduced for unsuccessful candidates, set at ten days.
For Lorry and Bus Driver testing, a minimum wait of three days between tests of the same category for unsuccessful candidates is introduced.

1999

Introduction of changes to 'L' test including extension of length of test, randomisation of emergency stop manoeuvre and failure for committing 16 or more driving faults.
Cars being used for a driving test must now have a front passenger seat belt, head restraint and rear-view mirror.

2000

Introduction of touch screen theory test.

2001

Introduction of internet booking for theory test.
People gaining a full car licence must now take CBT before being able to ride a moped.

2002

A hazard perception element is introduced into the theory test; this uses video clips to test candidates’ awareness of hazards on the road.

2003

'Show me Tell me' questions added to beginning of practical test.
Candidates can now book their practical driving test via the internet.