The main aims of the TEST project were to: - determine to what extent the duration and location of the practical driving test for category B allowed the requirements in Directives 2000/56/EC and 91/439/EEC be met and to consider whether the tests were covering all requirements of the directives; - assess the homogeneity in the driving test in the 6 countries involved in the project and in the different test centres within each country; - to assess how well the road safety needs of novice drivers are being met through the current practical test and if necessary, develop recommendations to improve the status quo. Over recent years numerous research projects have been done to consider how to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities, especially amongst novice drivers. The European Commission has introduced directives that aim to harmonise driver licensing requirements and increase road safety in general. The TEST project aims to combine the knowledge that has been gained through these research projects with practical information about the actual contents of driving tests being conducted in the European Union today. The TEST project brings together representatives from 6 driver testing authorities from 6 different countries (Austria, France, Great Britain, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden), scientists from 3 different scientific organisations and CIECA, the international driver testing organisation. 3150 driving tests were looked at in 45 different test centres across the six countries involved in the project. Half of the tests considered date from before the implementation of Directive 2000/56/EC (on 1 October 2003), and half after. The test assessments were made using a centrally designed and systematic protocol or audit form which was filled out by a selected and specially trained team of auditors. On the form auditors were asked to record information about how many times driving tests were covering different elements or how much time was spent on these items (e.g. crossroads, straight roads, motorways, independent driving, special manoeuvres etc.). They were asked to make an evaluation of how robust they felt the examiner’s assessment of the item would be on the basis of the amount of time spent on the item, the location in which it was tested, and the traffic density in which it was tested. The form was also used to collect information about the errors made in the test, the environmental circumstances (light, weather, etc.) and whether or not the test allowed for an evaluation of more general skills (e.g. taking into consideration the safety of all road users, hazard perception skills, etc.). The information was entered into an Access database which was created and managed centrally. In addition to the protocol forms that were collected, examiners in the participating countries were approached and asked to complete a series of questions to gauge their opinion of the driving test and how it could be improved. All data was analysed using SPSS 12.0.1 There are differences between the driving tests in the 6 countries, mainly in the duration of the test and therefore in the topics that the test are managing to cover. The differences between different types of test centres (on the basis of their location) are however bigger than the differences between countries. Driving tests rarely cover all elements listed in the European Driving License Directives but in general cover most items listed as compulsory. Again, the biggest differences are not between countries, but between test centre types. The majority of examiners is relatively satisfied with the driving tests they conduct but if something could be changed, they would want more on-road driving time. Current driving tests are not yet incorporating the results of research conducted in recent years, which recommend introducing more behavioural elements into the driving test and focusing less on only vehicle control. However, some countries are beginning to consider how this could be done and some ideas have already been launched. It is recommended that: - The practical on-road driving test needs to last at least 25 minutes to be able to test all elements listed in the Directives. - If the contents of the test are extended beyond the bare minimum, the duration also needs to be increased - A special effort must be made to ensure that all testing centres (especially those in the countryside) provide all necessary environments for a valid and reliable driving test and to enhance homogeneity. - An effort needs to be made to incorporate driving on motorways into the practical driving test if this is at all possible - More time needs to be spent on roads outside urban areas - Some extra efforts need to be made to ensure that all countries and all test centres are meeting all requirements listed in Directive 2000/56/EC (especially the safety check, the check of the sitting and driving posture, driving on motorways, overtaking, driving on slopes and passing railway crossings) - Extra thought needs to be given to how to incorporate the higher levels of the GDE matrix into driver testing (for example with the help of suggestions listed in this report) and in doing this it is important to look at more than just driver testing but to also involve the training sector. 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