LEARNER drivers in south Essex will be among the first in the country to use satellite navigation during their tests.

The DVSA is proposing changes to the driving test and Basildon is one of the centres trialling the new system.

One of the changes will see learners asked to do 20 minutes of independent driving using a sat nav for directions.

It will replace the existing test, which includes ten minutes of independent driving using road signs and verbal directions from the examiner.

Basildon driving instructor Tariq Musaji has welcomed the changes, but has warned against people becoming overly-reliant on technology.

He said: “The driving test hasn’t really changed much since it started in 1938, so it needs updating to reflect technology.

“Some learners have never used sat nav, so when they pass their test and use it for the first time they get themselves into trouble and there have been fatalities.

“If this is going to be coming on board, we as instructors need to give lots of help and guidance, but it is a good thing for us to teach.”

But the instructor is keen that learners do not loose traditional skills of map reading and checking road signs.

Mr Musaji said: “You still need to be able to read a map, because even the sat navs can fail and you can have slow satellites or the systems can go a bit crazy.

“Drivers still need to be able to make sure they know what lanes to be in, not just use their sat nav all the time.”

Explaining the changes, a DVSA spokesman said: “Using a sat nav also goes someway to addressing concerns that inexperienced drivers are easily distracted, which is one of the main causes of crashes.

“We’re moving with technology and the technology that new drivers will be using. Following traffic signs will still be a second option.

“Candidates will need experience of following directions from a sat nav.”