From 28th September 2009, case-study style questions will be introduced into the Driving Theory Test for learner drivers and riders.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) have introduced this change as one of the early initiatives following the results of their Learning to Drive Consultation, published earlier this year (see this blog entry for a summary of the consultation).
The Theory Test will remain in its present two-part format, with 50 multiple choice questions followed by the Hazard Perception Test.
The time permitted, the pass marks and the cost of the theory test remain unchanged.
The case study element will be included in the multiple choice part of the theory test, and it will ask five questions, some of which will be multiple choice, others multiple response, based around a single scenario that learner drivers and riders may encounter when driving on the road.
An example of one of the case study questions can be found here.
The main purpose of the case study questions is to help bring the theoretical element to life for novice drivers and riders.
As part of the same initiative, the DSA are aiming to introduce an abridged version of the theory test in October 2009. Those eligible to take this test must have successfully completed the voluntary ‘Pre-Driver Qualification in Safe Road use’, which was introduced in January 2009 by the DSA and currently available in 10 locations across England and Scotland.
The consultation for the adbridged Theory Test ended on 20th July (read the full consultation document here), but the results are yet to be announced. Make sure you visit the Latics Driver Training Blog regularly for updates, or better still, why not subscribe for instant email notification? Just enter your email address on the blog homepage and hit ‘subscribe’.
The industry is changing, and it’s about time! Out with the old-fashioned and largely ineffective teaching methods, and in with the successful new coaching style. Some may argue that their current instructional style is proving very effective, but they largely base this claim on their pass rates.
