When the UK driving test changed in 2017, the biggest update was the introduction of sat-nav driving. Today, most learners will use a sat-nav on the test, especially around Birmingham, Kingstanding, and surrounding areas.
This section of the exam is designed to check your ability to follow directions safely — something every driver will do in real life.
Below is a complete breakdown of how sat-nav driving works, what you need to know, and how to prepare confidently.
During your driving test, the examiner will:
You don’t need to operate the sat-nav at any point — the examiner does everything.
You’ll then complete around 20 minutes of independent sat-nav driving.
This is one of the biggest myths.
If you take the wrong turn, but do it safely, the examiner will not mark it as a fault.
You’re tested on:
✔ Safety
✔ Awareness
✔ Lane discipline
✔ Speed limits
✔ Judgment
Not navigation.
If you go the wrong way, the examiner will simply guide you back onto the route.
Driving around Birmingham involves:
Sat-nav driving reduces stress by providing clear directions, but learners must stay alert to the road — not stare at the screen.
These include:
❌ Looking at the sat-nav too long
❌ Ignoring road markings because the sat-nav says otherwise
❌ Late lane changes
❌ Speeding in 20 mph zones
❌ Missing signs while focusing on the map
Your instructor will help you practise balancing screen awareness with road awareness — the key to success.
Automatic Driving Lessons will help you learn:
Learners who practise sat-nav driving regularly become calmer, smoother, and more confident.
✔ Smooth steering
✔ Controlled braking
✔ Good lane positioning
✔ Consistent mirror checks
✔ Safe judgment
✔ Calm reactions to hazards
This part of the test is extremely passable once you understand what matters most: safe, relaxed, confident driving.
