DSA - Diary Of An ADI

May Bank Holiday 2009 – Travel Advice

27/05/2010

Just had an email alert from the DSA:

May bank holiday travel advice
Travellers are advised to check for delays and cancellations before beginning journeys this bank holiday weekend.

As many as 15 million cars are likely to take to the roads this bank holiday weekend.

With schools breaking up for half-term, roads are expected to be particularly busy on Friday 28 May, and again on Saturday.

The AA predict that routes to the south west of England are likely to be the busiest, with congestion also expected on main routes to the coast and national parks.

The Highways Agency is due to complete 23 sets of roadworks before the weekend and is suspending 31 other sets from 6.00 am on Friday until midnight on bank holiday Monday.

Although 32 sets of roadworks will remain in place over the weekend, including those on a section of the M25 in Hertfordshire.

The Highways Agency is telling people to check their journey before leaving.
[link removed – out of date]

The Met Office weather forecast looks good (which means it might be cold and wet, or it might be hot and sunny). The May Bank Holiday is the bank holiday formerly known as Spring Bank Holiday, by the way.

I’ll be working , though.

Wheel Clamping At Colwick MPTC

05/05/2010

DOAADI

ADI, DSA

Someone told me this morning that an instructor had been wheel clamped for parking on one of the roads near to the Colwick driving test centre. It was one of those licensed cowboy companies who charge £150 or more for unlocking you.

At a guess, I’d say someone with no conscience or morals decided they’d found a way of making some money now that the test centre is located around there, and so attracts learner cars. Inside the test centre, notices warn that the likes of Trent Concrete (Road No. 3) have been bitching about learners using the car park outside their property.

I have to admit, instructors sometimes don’t help themselves. Only yesterday I had gone behind Halfords (to cover bay parking) for the sole reason that there was no one else there. As always, if there had have been anyone else there, I’d have used another area of the park (and there were plenty free yesterday). But that didn’t stop a BSM car (with more than two people in it – looks like he was piggybacking) turning up and getting in the way. He actually prevented us from driving off (we’d finished, anyway), but this is happening time and time again. I hope he can lip read, because his cheerful wave didn’t cut any ice with me!

But they behave this stupidly wherever they go. They do corner reverses when there are cars parked there (illegally, admittedly, but that still doesn’t make it OK to block the corner completely and piss other drivers off). They queue up to use THE corner, or THE bay, or THE car for parallel park. They don’t have the brains to find somewhere else. They are STILL ignoring the test centre manager’s ban on practising bay parking at the test centre itself (and one of them is a BSM car), and holding up tests (including one of mine a couple of weeks ago).

There are quite a few places I use over a very wide area – but many of them only when it is quiet (or out of hours). There’s one girl whose car I often use for parallel park who I surprised at Christmas by taking her a bottle of wine and saying thanks for not kicking up a stink, but I have quiet and reliable places I can use in wide-spaced places such as Sawley, Long Eaton, Bingham, Clifton, West Bridgford, and plenty of others – I just have to plan the lesson accordingly. But some prat who is trying to keep his mileage to a minimum and who only works daytimes/weekdays is bound to try using a private car park when the offices are still open, and so get us all banned. That’s why those bloody notices keep appearing at the test centre. To be honest, some of these idiots only ever seem to do bay parking – it must be because it saves on petrol.

If anyone has any more details about this alleged clamping, please let me know using the Contact Form.

EDIT 20/05/2010: Apparently it has happened again – someone sent me this photo:

BSM Car Clamped

Something has got to be done. There are no signs, no yellow lines… nothing to suggest you cannot park on the road. In fact, fishermen park there for extended periods.

I never leave my car unattended. I can only assume this guy either did it to take his pupil into the test centre for a look round, or went for a walk down by the river in a free period. There’s nothing else down there – no shops or anything.

Mind you, there is one positive that appears to have come out of it – for some people, at least. A few of the forums are full of it – very sad people gloating uncontrollably due to the fact that it is a BSM car.

As I’ve said before: driving instructors, eh? What a bunch of sad cases some of them are!

EDIT 01/06/2010: I was at the test centre yesterday, and noticed a letter pinned to the noticeboard. It is from a company called City Estates , and they advise that for “health & safety reasons” the “landlord” of the Colwick Industrial Estate has introduced wheel-clamping. The urge people to follow the “parking laws”.

City Estates’ website is not particularly dynamic. The one and only link on it is to a company called West One . Interestingly, when you click this link (and compare West One’s address with the one on that letter at the test centre) you find that City Estates and West One co-exist at the same address in Sheffield – and a quick scan of West One’s portfolio of commercial properties it lets out reveals that units and land on the Colwick Industrial Estate features prominently.

Warning Sign

So it looks like the “landlord” City Estates is warning us of, and who has introduced clamping, is… City Estates. Fishy, eh? And who sets the “laws” they are referring to? I guess that would be City Estates, too, seeing as it is a private estate and there are very few yellow lines.

I was talking to someone who works at the test centre and apparently a lot of cars and lorries have also been clamped (so it isn’t just instructors, after all). The move isn’t popular, but as this person said: “what can you do?” I was told that there was a Health & Safety audit carried out and the roads were snarled up with lorries and cars.

I’m still not convinced. It’s a punitive action designed to make money – and I’m pretty certain driving instructors using that area has had more to do with it than the lorries who park(ed) overnight on a regular basis for years.

Oh, yes. And there are now warning signs – they were never there before, and they aren’t very big. Some are placed quite high up.

EDIT 27/08/2010: And don’t forget that the law is now against these cowboys – or will be later this year.

Confused.com… A Little Confused?

04/05/2010

DOAADI

ADI, Driving Tests, DSA

I saw this small article in today’s Daily Mirror .

L OF A WIN FELLAS

By RICHARD WRIGHT

MALE drivers are claiming victory over women after a motoring survey.

It found females take longer to pass their tests, needing an average of 21 lessons compared with just 17 for the boys.

Men are also more likely to pass first time, with less than 54% needing another attempt, while 57% of women have to take a second test. Women are more likely to suffer from nerves, with 92% saying they were terrified before their test but only 78% of men.

Comparison website www.confused.com carried out the study and a spokesman said: “For years, people have argued over whether men or women are the best drivers. And men can now claim victory with these results.”

Let me just set the record straight – and I should add that my data are probably more accurate than those confused.com has come up with.

99% of women are shitting themselves before their tests
99% of men are shitting themselves before their tests

The article also strongly suggests the following:

women are slightly more honest than men

Asking people how many attempts they had before passing is not the same thing as how many attempts they actually made.

Official statistics from the DSA show that the average number of hours a complete novice takes before taking their test is 45 with an instructor and 22 additional hours private practice. The quickest I have had anyone pass their test without any previous training and no private practice at all is around 23 hours. Most people take between 30-40 hours, and do lots of private practice, so Heaven knows what the confused.com data are showing. I suspect it is either a complete pack of lies from the survey correspondents, or people only including their last instructor hours (I lose count of how many come to me having done 30+ hours, and then do another 10-20 with me and pass – and even then, not necessarily first time).

But “17 hours and first time” sounds better than “well, 20 with my first instructor and failed my test, then I did another 10 with my second – but he retired, so I did another 15 with my last instructor and passed”. I think confused.com needs to wake up and smell the coffee – this business is far more complicated than that. In fact, what they are suggesting is highly irresponsible: it will make people think they can drive after 17 hours, but then they will wrap themselves round a tree because they simply haven’t got the skills and experience, even if they do scrape the test. But at least it will push insurance premiums up, so the winner would be… confused.com .

One final thing. A small bunch of liars telling you their personal fantasy does not prove that men are better drivers than women, although that’s what the report concludes.

Men are better drivers than women 😈 However, this survey doesn’t prove that in any way, shape, or form!

DSA’s National Driving and Riding Standards

02/04/2010

DOAADI

ADI, DSA

Another email alert from the DSA linking to this part of their website .

Our aim in publishing these Standards is to contribute to DSA’s overall objective of reducing the number of people who are killed and seriously injured on our roads by describing good practice in the field of driver training as well as providing a benchmark for performance in underpinning lifelong driver development.

I think there is more to it than just this, though. I am pretty certain that this is going to be used – at least in part – for the driving test at some point in the not too distant future.

If you look at the Safe And Responsible Driving (Cat B) section, then look at Role 1, and then (for example), Unit 1.3 Plan A Journey, you will see:

Unit 1.3 - Plan A Journey

Trust me – this is remarkably like the documentation which covers TEC awards, so you can see where it might lead. The word they have used that gives it away is “underpinning” – it was much beloved by the TEC administrators I had to deal with in my previous employment.

For all my dislike of TEC certification in my previous job (it wasn’t worth the paper it was written on, and failure was impossible), if the DSA use this properly – and if they make sure failure is recognised as such – then it could have a positive effect on driving standards in future. Of course, it would also have to be compulsory – but I can’t see anyone having the guts to do that.

This is definitely one to watch.

Independent Driving – Is This Why?

26/03/2010

DOAADI

ADI, Driving Tests, DSA, Funny

One of my pupils gave me a laugh the other day. She’s a good driver (passed her test a while ago, but not with me), and she’s doing a Pass Plus course with me at the moment.

What A Detour

One of the routes I use when doing Pass Plus is down the M1 to Leicester Forest East Services (J21), then back up to J23, through Loughborough, then back to Nottingham via the A60 and some unclassified rural roads. When we were in Loughborough, she asked “Are we anywhere near Derby? “. Then a little later when we were in Keyworth, she asked “Are we near Colwick? “

OK. I suppose it depends how you define the word near. Loughborough is near Derby (20 miles) – as long as you work on the basis that the moon is a long way away, and compare other distances with that. And Keyworth definitely is quite near Colwick (10 miles) – certainly when compared with the Loughborough/Derby thing.

But while we were talking about that she told me what had happened when she and her boyfriend had set out to go to the Meadowhall Shopping Centre from Nottingham.

You can see from the map on the left that Meadowhall (the red dot) is north of Nottingham. About 41 miles north, to be a little more precise.

Apparently, after some time they found themselves at Watford Gap Services (the blue dot). Watford Gap is 51 miles south of Nottingham.

I told her that that was definitely going on my List Of Things To Tell Pupils in future. Like I said, she’s a good driver – but simple navigation (or lack thereof) is a real problem for many new drivers.

But it does probably highlight why the DSA plan to introduce an independent driving section to the test from October 2010 is a very good idea – only opposed by fossils who are just anti-DSA, no matter what.

I’ve already mentioned one of my current learners, who insisted she couldn’t drive and look at the signs as well. Although we fixed that, if we hadn’t have done then she would have gone out on her own after passing still with the same inability to navigate in the most basic of ways.

Merging

And it’s the same with a lot of others. I was explaining to one today (not that far off test standard) that when he sees a road sign it has to speak to him in words. We were joining a dual carriageway from a slip road, and the merging sign was clearly there warning of the merge – but he didn’t respond to it, even though he saw it.

And it was the same a few miles later when we came to a roundabout. I asked him to turn right, 3rd exit (and stressed the road name so he could follow the signs and road markings). Apart from the big roundabout sign there were lane signs telling you which lane to use – but again, he just didn’t respond.

In fact, I often find that those doing Pass Plus don’t actually know what many road signs mean. Once they pass their Theory Test many of them just seem to forget the Highway Code completely.

It would certainly explain the standard of driving you see on the roads each day.

Modernising Driver Training

18/03/2010

DOAADI

ADI, DSA

I got an email alert from the DSA today containing the minutes of a meeting held to discuss the ongoing Modernising Driver Training (MDT) Project.

What I found interesting was how the chairman opened the meeting and

…encouraged members to be open and constructive and welcomed input from all.

but in the next paragraph, there was the concern raised that

…misleading information about modernisation proposals was starting to appear in the public domain, which could cause complications in the coming months. It was agreed that the only information to be published should be the formal notes which would be circulated following the meeting and possibly published in a future edition of Despatch.

I can’t help but think that some of the people and groups involved in this are frequently anti-DSA, so is it any surprise that negative reports are perhaps leaking out? The public has to get hold of information from somewhere if it is going to twist it into still more anti-DSA ranting.

But the minutes do give an insight into what is being considered and proposed for instructor training in the future.

The HERMES report is complete (I’m going to do an article on this shortly)
There is general agreement on the CPD proposals, e.g. a minimum of 7 hours CPD will be required from ADIs each year; at least half of that must be focused on the core competencies every four year period; there is concern over what sanctions would be imposed for failure to comply
The longer-term aim is to introduce a vocational qualification for future PDIs, and the current proposals are a step in that direction – those at the meeting felt that this should be prioritised
It appears that the group would like to see PDIs hold “a basic preparing to teach qualification before starting the DSA qualifying process”
This would be optional for existing ADIs
Case studies will be tested from March onwards for the ADI qualification (Theory Test), but this will not affect the outcome of the test
The group feels that there should be a limit of three attempts at the Theory Test in any two year window (at the moment there is no limit)
Some sort of commentary drive will become part of the qualifying process – the group appeared to be confused over this and requested an example (unanswered)
PSTs to be replaced with some kind of themed lesson – the group debated whether PDIs should be warned in advance to allow them to prepare (unanswered)
The ‘Pink’ trainee license will be scrapped in its current form – PDIs will have to be accompanied by an ADI at all times if they teach real pupils. It may even become mandatory to train this way
In future, Check Test booking is likely to become more the responsibility of the ADI instead of the DSA (50% of CTs are rebooked at present)
The group agreed that ADI grading needed clear descriptors of what the grades meant; was linked in with CPD; should focus on ADIs who are not performing well; should be realistic in describing competency; includes and element of self-assessment and performance on the day (the group appeared confused over “self-assessment”)

The response to the group’s concern with “self-assessment” was

Reflection and self assessment form the basis of modern learning and teaching and therefore is a skill that ADIs need to be able to develop in trainees and themselves to maximise the benefits of the new learning to drive syllabus.

This made me both cringe and break out into a cold sweat at the same time! I’ve had to live through crap like this before – it’s part of Teamworking® (read the About Me section), and it is not pleasant. In a nutshell, you have to be able to say bad things about yourself no matter how incorrect those things are just to satisfy someone you are worthy of a pay rise instead of a pay cut (or in this case, potentially keeping your green badge or not). Only saying good things about yourself is classed as negative, because whoever you are saying them to will already have negative opinions he wants you to agree with. This is just about the only part of the proposals I don’t like.

Fortunately, this is going to be discussed further – the group is obviously not happy, either.

Public information will enable people to find out information (and leave feedback) about an ADI. The group is not in agreement about whether ADI grades should be made available to the public

You can read the full minutes here .

Online Booking Services

07/03/2010

DOAADI

ADI, Driving Tests, DSA

The Theory Test for learners learning to drive a car costs £31.00, and the Practical Test £62.00 (or £75.00 for a weekend or evening slot, where available). The current prices are always shown on the Direct.gov website.

You can book online directly through the DSA’s website, or by telephoning them on 0300 200 1122 .

It stands to reason that these prices are the lowest possible, since anyone booking through the DSA will have to pay exactly the current price in order to book a test!

So beware any online service which says it will do this for you. At the very least you will have to pay more – unnecessarily. In the worst case, you may not get anything at all except lost money and a compromised credit card. If they are charging less than the DSA prices then you have only got yourself to blame if things go belly up.

There is a warning being circulated at the moment about two online service urls – www.booktheorytestonline.co.uk and www.bookpracticaltestonline.co.uk. It is suggested that you do not use these, even if you are still daft enough to want to get someone else to do it for you.

EDIT 5/4/2010: Can I just emphasise that you do not need to use a booking service to book either your theory or practical tests. It is the easiest thing in the world to do via the DSA’s own website or by telephone.

I have noticed a number of booking services in the Google ads which appear on the right hand side of this blog (I cannot prevent individual company ads from appearing). I don’t know if they are legitimate or not, but one thing is certain: if you pay more than the DSA’s price to book your test – and all you want to do IS book your test – then you are definitely being ripped off.

It is insane not to just book directly with the DSA. I wish someone could explain to me what the attraction is for using one of these services – assuming people do it knowingly. What are you trying to avoid?

But if it is just these sites misleading people into booking using a 3rd party premium service, then it IS a scam. So be warned!

Independent Driving – Change To Driving Test

01/03/2010

DOAADI

ADI, Driving Tests, DSA, Training

This is a very old post. Sat nav devices are used now.

EDIT: Please use the blog search function to look for more recent posts on independent driving. This one was posted months ahead of the launch.

From 4th October 2010 a new stage will be included in the driving test, where the candidate is expected to drive to a specific destination as directed by the examiner. The new stage will only last about 10 minutes, so we’re not talking about finding your way from Lands End to John O’Groats or anything. It will be quite simple and over with quickly.

According to the DSA, the directions could be given in a number of ways (and the following is paraphrased from an official document).

In one case, the examiner might ask the candidate to drive to a specific place using traffic signs. Or, the examiner could give a series of verbal instructions to get to a specific location. Or it could be using a combination of both the above methods. The purpose of this exercise is to allow the candidate to demonstrate to the examiner how they will drive when they are out on their own – which is exactly what they will have to do when they have passed their test and no one is there to prompt them.

The DSA is currently putting together appropriate test routes for this part of the driving test. I can imagine that this isn’t as easy as it sounds, because they aren’t going to produce routes akin to Hampton Court Maze or choose ones where there are missing road traffic signs.

When it comes to this part of the driving test the examiner will have diagrams like simplified route maps to support the verbal instructions they give to candidates. These diagrams will be similar to the two shown here – though the DSA points out the final design isn’t yet agreed.

Much is being made of this change by the usual crowd of agitators.

It is actually very simple, although to listen to some people you’d think it was advanced calculus or something. The examiner will merely ask the candidate to drive from the current location (let’s say the road outside the Colwick Test Centre in Nottingham) to (let’s say) West Bridgford, using the road signs (and before anyone says anything, I don’t know if West Bridgford is signposted from that location without looking – but it doesn’t matter: it’s just an example). It’s a journey of about 3½ miles, and one which is covered by existing test routes. It involves two roundabouts and some traffic lights, and most candidates will have done the route plenty of times during their lessons anyway. The examiner may show a simplified road map like the ones here of the route, and the candidate can refer to it as many times as they like (safely, of course).

Personally, I think this is a great idea. I also believe that if someone cannot complete what is essentially an extremely simple exercise then they have no right to be on the road, as they are a danger to themselves and everyone else. I believe this applies to anyone who drives on the roads. And that means anyone.

I should point out that I have always taught my pupils to drive properly, not just to pass the test. I was out on such a lesson this afternoon, and I took my pupil (who is close to test standard) on a long drive using roads she’s not been on before.

I asked her to navigate using road signs – first of all to Mansfield via one route, then back to Nottingham via another. She immediately interrupted me and said that she couldn’t possibly look at the signs and drive at the same time!

After we got round that little situation, it did become clear that some signs just didn’t make sense to her at all – the ones on junctions being a particular problem.

She understands them now, but if all she had ever done is drive round and round near the test centre we would never have picked up the problem. And when she passed her test, she’d go straight out on her own without knowing how to drive on anything other than memorised routes. She is no different to most of my other pupils.

Anyone who is worried about this change shouldn’t be. I’ve seen websites (and blogs) where ADIs are advising people to do their tests quickly to avoid the change – this is appalling and alarmist behaviour, and rushing people to test who may not be ready also raises questions about the professionalism of these people.

The bottom line is that you will have to drive like this once you’ve passed your test, so learn how to do it properly now! You couldn’t drive a car at all before you started taking lessons, so a little bit of navigating won’t hurt you. In any case, if your mates arrange to meet you somewhere you’d probably have no trouble finding it on your bike – it’s not much different in a car.

But one last thing to remember: it is a driving test, and you can fail it. If you can’t navigate using the simple method proposed then there is a good chance you will fail the test.

EDIT 1/1/2012: There is an updated article here – you don’t need actual DSA diagrams to teach independent driving to pupils!

Despatch: DSA Magazine – Observer On Test

16/02/2010

DOAADI

DSA

The DSA has now started circulating its periodic magazine “Despatch” in a new format. It looks good, and is a decent read if you are an instructor.

Hold on! Let me rephrase that. It is a decent read if you are an instructor who isn’t part of the militant front. It’s easy to forget that nothing the DSA does is good enough for some people, and anything the DSA does do is opposed by these people… even before the DSA thought of it!

The electronic version is also extremely prompt (the March 2010 issue has just gone out). The paper version could be a month late sometimes.

One article which is very interesting is the one about having an observer sitting in on test from April this year. Decent ADIs will have known about this for some time, but the reason I say it is interesting is that the DSA has actually published comments which are not completely in support of what it has decided to do. Here is the article (text only):

[ This is shown on a side panel: Encouraging test candidates to have an observer on test, who would also listen to the feedback at the end, would improve their learning and development]

[ Page 1: OBSERVER ON TEST

2010 will see the introduction. of new and exciting changes for learner drivers, instructors and examiners.

The results of the Learning to Drive consultation identified ways we could improve driver training and testing. It emerged that encouraging test candidates to have an observer on test, who would also listen to the feedback at the end, would improve their learning and development.

Examiners and instructors are already aware of this practice. In 2008/9 18,000 instructors accompanied pupils on 81,000 tests – at the request of the candidate.

From 6 April these figures will rise, because examiners will always ask candidates if they would like their instructor (or another observer – preferably the person who has taught them) to sit in on their test and listen to the feedback. However, it is purely the candidate’s choice. We’ll update you on the level of take-up in future issues.]

[ Page 2: OBSERVER MEANS OPPORTUNITIES

I visited Chalfont Drive driving test centre (DTC) in Nottingham – where I passed my test ten years ago – and Ashfield DTC to hear the views of some of those who will be affected.

Chalfont Drive manager Ivan Bilyk said: “This could be a good way to improve the skill level of test candidates as well as that of instructors.”

The benefit to the candidate is that it gives instructors the opportunity to better support candidates’ ongoing learning and development. For example, if the candidate fails the test, the instructor will have witnessed the drive first-hand, listened to the examiner’s feedback, and can better discuss it with the candidate afterwards.

They can then develop the candidate’s areas of weakness during lessons. If the candidate passes, the observer can give feedback about what they can do to further improve their driving, for example Pass Plus, or agreeing to an individually tailored post-test driver development plan.

Driving examiner Paul Selby is happy with this proactive approach. He said: “Candidates who are upset at failing their test – or even excited at passing – often hear very little of the feedback, so it is important that their instructor or another observer also hears the feedback. In my view, this is the most important aspect of this process.”

He added: “I also find it helpful because, if the candidate is unclear exactly what the fault entailed and where it occurred, the instructor can give further explanation.”

Candidates who decide not to take an observer on test are potentially missing out on maximising their instructor’s expertise. It is also a missed opportunity for instructors to monitor their candidates’ performance.

[ This is shown on a side panel: “Candidates who are upset at failing their test – or even excited at passing – often hear very little of the feedback, so it is important that their instructor or another observer also hears the feedback. In my view, this is the most important aspect of this new process.”]

[ Page 3: FEEDBACK IS KEY

The opportunity to go along on test as an observer gives instructors, particularly new ones, a clear idea of what is expected on test. This may help their own development, as well as that of their students.

Instructors and examiners found that there were benefits for them, but they agreed that the pupil has most to gain.

Olivia Rust has been taking lessons since her 17th birthday last September. She wants her instructor’s support on test.

“He will be a friendly face. I learnt to drive with him and it only seems natural that I take my test with him,” she said.

Another learner driver, Andrea Fothergill, said that she would be asking her instructor to accompany her. Despite the mainly positive responses, the Agency is well aware of the concerns being expressed.

Examiner Julie Rust isn’t opposed to the idea, but wouldn’t want to have an observer on seven tests a day, every day. “It would be additional pressure,” she said.

Some examiners and instructors questioned whether pupils might find it distracting to have others watching their test drive, and some raised the point that carrying the additional weight of two passengers for the very first time might alter performance.]

[ This is shown on a side panel: “Seeing the test first hand and being privy to the feedback is key to a pupil’s development. It also means that if a test is terminated, I can drive the car back with the pupil rather than them being abandoned.” ADI Lorraine Fells, Bill Plant Driving School]

[ This is shown on a side panel: “He needs to be able to see how I perform so he can give me advice on how to improve my driving, whether I pass or fail.” Andrea Fothergill, learner driver]

[ This is shown on a side panel: “I like to see how the examiners work. It is as much a learning experience for me as it is for my pupil.” Nicki Hallam, Sherwood School of Motoring]

[ Page 4: CANDIDATE IS AT HEART OF DECISION

Candidates who want an interpreter could, in theory, carry up to three passengers; but from 6 April, instructors will be able to double up as interpreters for their pupils.

Overall, DSA has taken people’s views on board and, as a result, agreed that this move should not be mandatory. However, the overwhelming benefit to the candidate is at the heart of our decision to promote the candidate’s right to take an observer on test.

Morris Smith, an examiner of ten years, strongly advocates this.

This year, alongside the driving test’s 75th anniversary celebrations, expect to see workshops for instructors to explain the changes in more depth.

Also look out for awareness-raising articles in trade magazines, leaflets and posters at test centres, YouTube films, and Facebook and Twitter adverts.]

[ This is shown on a side panel: “Being present on test will help the working relationship between the examiner and instructor, as sometimes it can feel like ‘us and them’. I’m looking forward to it and I will certainly encourage all my instructors to support the initiative.” ADI Peter Mawer, Partner, Accelerate Driver Training]

[ This is shown on a side panel: Driving instructor Tim Elmer said: “I always give my pupils the choice, but I do prefer to stay at the test centre. I explain that if I go on test and they don’t agree with the examiner’s results, then I can explain them – but equally, that having to deal with an extra passenger could be off-putting.”]

[ This is shown on a side panel: “At BSM we understand the value of having an observer. We offer our customers mock driving tests where an instructor unknown to them conducts the test and their usual instructor acts as an observer. This helps prepare candidates for real test conditions.” BSM senior instructor Trevor Lidbury]

[ This is shown on a side panel: “I’m not bothered by having an observer on test as I believe it will be a benefit to test candidates and instructors.”]

There are as many opinions as there are instructors (and examiners). Test Centre Managers are unlikely to go into print opposing their bosses, so you need to take some comments with pinches of salt – except inasmuch as they are just one opinion out of many others. The same applies to large national driving schools – “senior instructors” are not going to risk their titles by opposing an idea that their organisation is in full support of. And so on.

But what is interesting is that examiners were never prevented from encouraging ADIs to sit in on tests in the past – but they never did (or if they did they didn’t around here). So one must conclude that – at least in the past – they didn’t want ADIs sitting in on tests. It is hard to imagine such a dramatic change now, therefore.

I was always opposed to the idea of being forced to sit in on tests. The fact that it is now optional doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I have always made it clear to my pupils that I am allowed to sit in on their test if they want – and that it is their choice and not mine. However, I have also pointed out that it is likely to be of absolutely no benefit, because I cannot get involved in any way (either during or afterwards), and that if I did then the test would be abandoned. I also point out the change in weight of the car, and the slightly increased chance of stalling if they are nervous as a result.

I have absolutely no issue with any of the examiners I deal with (which must total around 20 or more), and I speak casually with all of them (except those who themselves are aloof). If one of my pupils fails, it will be for a sound reason which I cannot alter. I have a good pass rate (not counting the horrible period between last October and January this year!), and no common errors which keep cropping up in my pupils. There is absolutely no reason for me to sit in.

I will carry on as I am – if a pupils wants me, I’m there. But I will make sure they don’t feel bullied to have me there against their initial will.

Incidentally, “feedback” is NOT the key.

“Feedback” is wishy-washy nonsense that appeals to wishy-washy people who are not very good at what they do.

Cancelled Driving Tests January 2010

06/01/2010

DOAADI

ADI, Driving Tests, DSA

EDIT 29/11/2010: The DSA is cancelling driving tests due to bad weather, as it hits late in 2010. This post originally referred to late 2009/early 2010, but it is as relevant now as it was then.

Tests get cancelled. You need to phone up on the morning or turn up and expect the worst. They will not usually cancel until the actual day of the test – unless the weather is very bad (not in Nottingham, anyway). At one point last winter they did cancel days ahead.

I was trying to keep this post updated, but people are not finding it even though they are searching for information about cancelled tests.

I spoke with the Colwick Test Centre yesterday and all tests were cancelled both Monday and Tuesday. Bear in mind that we had a smattering of snow Monday night followed by -5°C and it was treacherous on most roads first thing, and nearly all side roads throughout the day.

We had a significant dumping of snow last night (Tuesday). Anyone with a test at Colwick really ought to phone first and expect it to be off. The morning ones in particular. I know that all the morning ones have been cancelled already – I have one scheduled for 2.30pm but I am not optimistic. Yep, just got a text from my pupil – the Test Centre has called him to cancel his test, so Wednesday tests are also totally cancelled.

I was up there yesterday with a pupil who has a test next week, and at 2.30pm instructors were turning up for afternoon tests! A phone call would have saved a lot of wasted time.

My advice is watch the weather forecast and check with the Test Centre before turning up. You MUST call the Test Centre (or at least turn up) because if you don’t they may assume you just didn’t show – and that is NOT the same as them cancelling it due to snow. THE TEST CENTRE PHONE NUMBER IS ON THE LETTER OR EMAIL OF CONFIRMATION YOU GOT WHEN YOU BOOKED YOUR TEST.

EDIT 7/1/2010 #1: Incidentally, you need to make your own minds up about the weather forecast. I’d embedded the BBC one in this post, but it is the biggest pile of misleading crap imaginable. On minute it says one thing, the next it is totally different – and at the exact same time the BBC weather forecast on the TV says something totally different again! According to the TV we are going to get snow today – the BBC website embed doesn’t say that, and although yesterday it said we would get some tomorrow and at the weekend, it now says nothing of the sort.

In fact, the BBC weather forecast is not a forecast at all. It’s more an historical record of what DID happen (the Beeb burns its fingers every time it tries to forecast: remember Michael Fish and the Hurricane? And the Barbecue Summer last year? And the Mild Winter we’re currently in the middle of?)

EDIT 7/1/2010 #2: And a test at 3.30pm cancelled today. No tests conducted at all since Christmas from what the Test Centre staff tell me.

EDIT 8/1/2010 #1: Just saw the search term “will driving tests be cancelled on monday” in my stats. The Test Centre only makes a decision on the day – and if you have an afternoon test it won’t make a decision until around midday. They get enough flak from people for cancelled tests as it is, so you can imagine what would happen if they cancelled Monday today (Friday) and it suddenly warmed up over the weekend!

However, you need to use a little commonsense. If it stays like it is, your test will more than likely be cancelled. Yesterday, I had a test booked for 3.30pm, but I had arranged with another pupil that it would most likely be cancelled and they could have a lesson at that time if it was. So I kept the slot filled instead of losing it altogether – and the pupil who had the lesson also benefited.

EDIT 8/1/2010 #2: Further to my comment about the BBC’s horrendous weather forecasting skills, above, and the fact that their last update to their three-day forecast said today in Nottingham would be clear, bright sun – I just drove through a blizzard in Bunny.

Category - DSA