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I mentioned this a few days ago in the post about Despatch – The DSA Magazine. However, the DSA has just sent out an email alert with the information concerning how an ADI should behave on test – they refer to it as ‘Observer on test’ etiquette.
I think it is useful that the DSA puts this sort of thing out into the public domain – but I’m also quite sure that the usual crowd of stirrers and rakers will have the ammunition they need all ready and waiting in order to start calling ‘liar, liar’! We’ll see.
Observer on test etiquette
Get the best performance out of your pupils by brushing up on your observer etiquette.
Your ‘observer on test’ etiquette could help or hinder your pupils.
Following enquiries from approved driving instructors and suggestions made by DSA examiners, some ‘dos and don’ts’ have been drawn up, just so we’re all clear. We hope the following are helpful…
Turn off your phone
Whether it’s Star Wars or Tom Jones, your pupil’s concentration will be thrown when the ring tone shrills out, so turn your phone off. The fewer distractions, the better.
Lend a helping hand
Helping your pupils lift the bonnet if they are struggling is fine, but don’t interfere unnecessarily.
Take a back seat
Supervising examiners usually regard sitting behind the pupil as the least intrusive. But the best position for you is wherever it’s the most comfortable, so long as you can sit upright with the seatbelt correctly fitted.
Mirror, signal, manoeuvre?
Contrary to popular belief, you won’t have your candidate’s test terminate for naturally looking left, right and behind you. But try not to put your pupil off.
And be aware that overzealous nodding coupled with excessive eye contact with your pupil could be construed as some sort of pre-arranged code. In other words – cheating! Don’t be tempted.
Prompting pupils by coughing, or nudging the back of them seat is a slippery road to test termination.
Examiners do know when instruction is being added – even in another language!
Move it
Changing position to improve your pupils’ visibility during the manoeuvre exercises is perfectly acceptable. Constantly moving from side to side to would be very distracting though, so please try to keep movement to a minimum.
Take note
By all means take notes to help your pupil. But bear in mind that if your pupil sees you rigorously note taking it might worry them and fill their head with negative thoughts – when actually they might be doing fine.
No comment
Last tip. At the end of the test listen carefully to the feedback so that you and your pupil can work together. But don’t be tempted to involve the examiner in discussion. If you do have genuine concerns about the test speak to the local manager, or follow the complaints procedure.
Following the relaunch on 6 April initial indications look promising with a significant increase in the take up of ‘observer on test’. We’ll keep you updated in future editions of Despatch.
Watch the video
DSA has published a video on YouTube called ‘Take your instructor on your driving test’. video on YouTube. In the video, Cecilia, a media student who passed her test two years ago, talks to learner drivers and instructors about the benefits of taking someone with you on your driving test.
You can watch it by clicking on the image or the link at the bottom of this email. If you run your own website, please feel free to put the video on it.
I’m not disputing that the number of people who now go out on test has increased compared with what it was like before the change when you look at it on a national scale, but when I spoke with my local centre manager he said that – here, at least – there had not been any significant change. Similarly, whenever I’m there (at either Colwick or Chalfont Drive), I would say that maybe one ADI out of every ten trots off outside. The rest stay in the centre or go for a walk.
As for the DSA’s article, I’m sure someone somwhere will see it in a bad light.