This is resulting in the need for all provisional test candidates to take their theory test pass certificate information with them to the driving test centre for the examiner’s inspection before conducting the practical test.

Driving tests have been refused and cancelled as a result of a candidate not having these documents for inspection, despite the request to do so in the practical test application literature.  For full details on what you need to take with you to the test centre, click here. This video gives you full information on the practical driving test:

Please ensure you take the correct documentation with you!

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 20^th 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’.

Results of the DSA Learning to Drive Consultation

On 7^th May 2008, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) issued a Consultation Paper setting out wide-ranged proposals intended to make Britain’s roads safer by getting newly qualified drivers to cope with the challenges of driving unsupervised in today’s modern driving conditions. The Government’s preferred approach to achieving this is through education and incentives, encouraging young people to participate in more effective and efficient learning.

The four key elements of the proposed programme were:

• An improved learning process
• Improved driving tests
• Better information about driving instructors and improved driving instructor training
• Further options for qualifications and learning

Today (21st April 2009), the DSA published its report on this consultation. Having read the document this evening, I have listed the main changes that will happen, changes that may happen and proposals that have been rejected or indefinitely postponed.

The Definite Changes

Following consultation, Ministers have decided to proceed with the preferred approach based on education and incentives. The planned phased implementation of the programme includes the following improvements (target dates for these improvements are in brackets):

• Continued roll out across Great Britain of the new pre-driver qualification in safe road use
• A partial credit towards the theory test for those awarded with the new pre-driver qualification in the form of an abridged theory test. The DSA propose a reduced theory test fee of £24 for those who have been awarded the pre-driver qualification and who therefore qualify for taking the abridged theory test (October 2009)
• Case studies into the theory test to better assess whether learners have better understood driving theory (October 2009)
• A trial to assess the effectiveness of the proposed new learning to drive syllabus and process (March 2010)
• A requirement for the supervising driver to accompany the candidate during the practical driving test (October 2010)
• Subject to the outcome of trials, an assessment of competence on the practical driving test whilst the candidate is driving independently (October 2010)
• Increase driving time on the practical driving test by reducing the number of manoeuvres (October 2010)

The Possible Changes

The proposed new learning to drive syllabus and process will include trials, analysis and investigation of the following:

• A compulsory student workbook
• Two versions of an ‘attitude advisor’; the first as part of the new pre-driver qualification and the second when learning to drive. This is to monitor whether , and how, attitude to risk has changed over time
• Separating theory test questions published in learning materials and theory test questions used in the actual theory test (undertake analysis by Spring 2010)
• Using 3D technology to assess situational judgement exercises as part of the theory test to assess a candidates awareness of specific dangers and risks (trial use by Spring 2011)
• 3D animation and simulation as an aid to learning and assessment and in particular how this may develop into a new generation hazard perception test (trial use by Spring 2011)
• Separating the theory and hazard perception parts of the theory test
• Making more information available to the public about individual instructors so a more informed choice can be made when selecting an instructor (undertake consultation by March 2010)
• A record, signed by the supervising driver, verifying the candidates ‘test readiness’
• Working with employers and the insurance industry to develop new courses and qualifications that incentivise newly qualified drivers to continue with additional training and qualifications after they pass the practical driving test
• Review purpose and content of the ‘Pass Plus’ scheme (introduce new and improved scheme by March 2011)
• Introducing an assessment as part of the ‘Pass Plus’ scheme
• Development of a vocational van drivers’ qualification (facilitate development by March 2010)
• Developing a suite of voluntary training, assessment and qualification, through which drivers and companies can develop and evidence their driving skills and improve the safety of those who drive for work
• Where practicable, applying the proposed reforms for learning to drive to those learning to ride a moped or motorcycle

Proposals that have been rejected at the present time include:

• Allowing Driving Instructors to ‘sign off’ manoeuvres (inclusion of the manoeuvres within the practical test is required by EU legislation)
• A modular practical driving test, e.g. Separating the manoeuvres from the general driving element (similar to the motorcycle CBT)
• Changing the way the practical driving test is marked, from recording areas of weakness (faults) to an assessment of evidence of competence (this will be investigated further following the introduction of independent driving)
• Extending the practical driving test debrief for the benefit of the candidate and the supervising driver
• ‘Signing off’ of test readiness to be restricted to driving instructors only
• Periodic re-assessment of qualified drivers
• Allowing learners to drive on motorways

We welcome your thoughts on the above changes