Detailed guidance: National standard for driving cars (category B)

Detailed guidance: National standard for driving cars (category B):
Updated: Updated the standard and syllabus downloads, and added more explanation of what the documents are

The standard

The standard sets out what it takes to be a safe and responsible car driver.

It’s split into 5 main sections, which are all things you must do.

They are:

• prepare your vehicle and its occupants for a journey
• guide and control your vehicle
• use the road in accordance with The Highway Code
• drive safely and responsibly in the traffic system
• review and adjust your driving behaviour over your lifetime

For each of these, the standard tells you:

• what you must be able to do
• what you must know and understand

National standard for driving cars (category B)

PDF, 634KB, 38 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
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To request this document in an alternative format such as braille, audio
or a different file type please email
customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
quoting your address, telephone number along with the title of the
publication ("National standard for driving cars (category B)").

The syllabus

The syllabus sets out a way of training drivers in the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to be a safe and responsible driver.

The syllabus is for:

• trainees - including provisional and full licence holders
• trainers

The syllabus is split into 4 sections:

• prepare a vehicle and its occupants for a journey
• guide and control a vehicle
• drive a vehicle in accordance with The Highway Code
• drive safely and efficiently

For each of these, the syllabus tells you:

• the areas to be covered and why it’s important in the lifelong learning-to-drive process
• what you’ll learn as a result of studying the section
• what you need to be able to do to prove that you’ve learnt what’s in the section
• what you need to know and understand to prove that you’ve learnt what’s in the section

Safe and responsible driving syllabus for cars (category B)

PDF, 607KB, 34 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request a different format.

To request this document in an alternative format such as braille, audio
or a different file type please email
customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
quoting your address, telephone number along with the title of the
publication ("Safe and responsible driving syllabus for cars (category B)").

Competence framework

The competence framework sets out how the standard was made. You can use it to identify the original research, statistics and professional opinions which form the basis of the standard.


Car driver competence framework
[MS Excel Spreadsheet, 175KB]

Changes to the standard

DSA updates the standard on a regular basis. It’s updated straight away if any safety critical issues are identified. You can keep up to date with new versions by email.

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Further information

You can contact DSA if you have:

• questions about the standard, syllabus or competence framework
• ideas about how they could be improved
• evidence, from research or practice, that will make the standards stronger

Email: national.standards@dsa.gsi.gov.uk

DSA

Telephone: 0115 936 6283

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm