As the end to foreign language driving tests draws closer, Book Your Theory Test Today reviews the implications of such alterations.
On the 7th April 2014 driving test candidates will no longer have the option to use foreign language voiceovers or interpreters to aid them on their practical driving test, although foreign language facilities will still be available for the UK theory test.
The new laws form part of a radical new shake up to stop non-English speaking motorists taking to Britain’s roads because of their failure to understand UK driving theory and, when on the road, failure to understand word based road signs.
Despite radical changes to the UK practical driving exam, driving theory test candidates can still choose from a selection of 21 language voiceovers or interpreters to assist them whilst taking the UK theory test.
In a statement from one commentator, who opposed the restrictions being placed on non-English driving test candidates, she said: “The authorities are basically forcing non-English speaking motorists into an avenue where they have to learn English in order to take a practical driving exam.â€
She added: “You could just imagine the uproar if English people living in France were made to learn French in order to be eligible to take a driving exam in France. The British have an authority complex; it’s as simple as that, do as we say not as we do.â€
However, the DSA backed the plans, with a spokesperson saying: “In a bid to reform road safety for British motorists we have to be certain that motorists, whose first language is not English, are able to understand road signs and warnings. Furthermore, it costs the British government considerable amounts of cash to provide such resources.â€
Book Your Theory Test Today understands that despite major overhauls to the practical aspect of the UK driving test where language is concerned, the UK theory test will still allow for the use of voiceovers and interpreters.
The 21 languages available for the UK theory test voiceover are as follows (correct at time of writing):
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Albanian
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Arabic
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bengali
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cantonese
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dari
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â English
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Turkish
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mirpuri
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Polish
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Portuguese
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Punjabi
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Spanish
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tamil
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Farsi
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gujarati
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hindi
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kashmiri
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kurdish
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Urdu
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Welsh
Should a theory test voiceover be unavailable in your required language, you can request a theory test translator to sit in on your exam.
Although the theory test has presently been unaffected by changes to foreign language provisions, speculation mounts that the changes to the practical driving exam will have wider implications in the near future.
Watch this space!!!
Book Your Theory Test Today offers an intermediary service assisting clients with booking a UK theory test, or practical test, at test centres across the nation. The service also supplies resources to help you prepare for your theory test – Ready to take your theory test? Book your theory test online today…
Tags: Driving Test, Learning To Drive, Practical Driving Test, UK Driving Laws, UK Driving License, UK Full Driving Test
