Trainee driving instructor part 3 changes

 This blog is for trainee driving instructors as it explains the differences to the Part 3 (Instructional Test) changes that are due to come in on 2/10/17.  For the purpose of this blog I will abbreviate trainee driving instructors to “PDI”.

For absolute beginner PDI’s just coming into the pipeline now, it is highly likely that as the average timing of the qualification process in the industry goes, those PDI’s will be taking this new format of Part 3 test.  As such, this blog will be very useful as a summary of the key changes.  BIG TOM Driving School does provide PDI training for trainees and this blog is a key source of information.

The source of the following information was received by the author Tom Ingram being present on a webinar organised with thanks to the ADINJC on 25/4/17 with contributions by DVSA representatives Mark Magee and John Sheridan.

The very first point made by the DVSA is that the current “completion rate” of PDI’s who register with the DVSA and go through the whole process and qualify is far too low.  Whilst they were keen to say that it was not the intention to open the flood gates of newly qualified driving instructors, the aim is to raise the quality standards of ADI’s in general, and therefore road safety, but acknowledging the fact that far too many people are entering the process, spending a great deal of money on attempting to qualify and for a variety of reasons not being successful.  There was a theme throughout the webinar, as will be seen in the following that makes the connection with this outcome and the low quality of training of trainee driving instructors in the industry. 

Putting the changes into context the DVSA explained that the current Part 3 assessment is fault based whereby an examiner role plays a pupil and introduces driving faults within a pre-defined framework.  The conflict then comes once the PDI qualifies as an Approved Driving Instructor and is then assessed by a periodical “Standards Check” which is a competency based assessment using a real pupil.  The DVSA are assessing qualifying trainees to a markedly different structure to the assessment of newly qualified ADI’s.  The problem with the current assessment is that it is “test centric” in nature – a term that I have not previously heard of.  The issue as raised by the DVSA is that it tends to lead to PDI’s learning WHAT to teach as opposed to HOW to teach which any reader of this blog will know is a subject that I am passionate about.  It was also openly recognised on more than one occasion by the DVSA that the quality of the current part 3 assessment was directly linked to the ability of the examiner to effectively role play; a point that is undesirable.

The aim of this change to the Part 3 assessment is to align driving training of PDI’s (and therefore the work of ADI’s), with the DVSA National Standard for Driver and Rider Training and the post-qualification assessment known as the “Standards Check”.  Mention was also made of the new format for the Learner driving test coming in on 4/12/17 which is aimed at encouraging learners to gather more pre-test driving experience, on a variety of class of road (especially faster roads) in order to increase competence and confidence.

The assessment structure of the new Part 3 test will be aligned to that of the Standards Check, using a real pupil and looking at 17 sub-competencies within the broad umbrella of 3 competencies:

Lesson Planning

Risk Management

Teaching & Learning Strategies

It was stated by the DVSA that far from resulting in an easier assessment it is their opinion that the new assessment will be more challenging.  This is due to the fact that by replacing a role playing examiner with a real pupil, there are unpredictable factors of how well the pupil can accommodate driving while having an examiner in the back (and possibly an observer of the examiner too) – despite the fact that the personnel in the back are not assessing the learner driver.  Also other road users, changing driving conditions and differing routes are also unpredictable factors.

Part of the initial registration process for a PDI is the “fit and proper” vetting, and the DVSA were keen to point out that they were keen for PDI’s to not start training until this hurdle had been completed.

The use of a real pupil for the Part 3 test was qualified as being flexible to include a friend, family member, real learner for no fee, colleague including someone who is a full licence holder.  The key test of the appropriateness of the choice of “pupil” is that the lesson given by the PDI must be meaningful, client centred training tailored to the individual’s needs.  One of the key concerns in the industry is that this will invite PDI’s coming to test using a “pupil” who has a full licence for a motorway lesson.  The DVSA were keen to point out that the lesson must be meaningful, learning must take place and if a PDI were to present such a “pupil” and have what is seemingly an easy time of it, this would be in danger of leading to a fail, as the lesson has not been adapted to ensure that learning has taken place and is meaningful.

The DVSA went on to describe how they intend to Quality Assure the calibre of “pupil” presented by making trainers more accountable for the quality of training provided to PDI’s and the quality of the PDI presented for test.  There will be monitoring of which trainers sit in on part 3 tests, whether log books are seen to be in use relating to the PDI’s experiences prior to test, and whether there are themes of the type of “pupil” presented by trainers.  Although the log book is not a legally enforceable pre-requisite, it will be very desirable for the DVSA to see evidence of this, especially from trainers who are on the ORDIT register.

At any one time, there are currently about 40,000 ADI’s and 2,000 PDI’s registered.  There are roughly 800 trainers currently registered on the ORDIT register and about 200 organisations. 

There is a stipulation to qualify (pass the part 3 test) within 2 years from the day the Part 1 test was passed.

It was noted that whilst there is not a legal necessity for part 3 training to be conducted by ADI’s only, the prospect of part 3 training being provided by trainers who are not registered as ADI’s was very undesirable from the DVSA point of view. 

The “curriculum” of driving training is generally acknowledged as being the contents of the DVSA national standard quoted above.  Required to be demonstrated on the new part 3 assessment is evidence of learning within the 17 sub-competencies.  (These sub-competencies are tagged within each blog presented by the author).

It was apparent to me that throughout the webinar there was much emphasis being placed on the integrity and accountability of trainers who provide training for PDI’s so not only is the assessment structure of the part 3 test being changed but there will also be tighter monitoring of the quality of PDI being presented by which trainer(s).  The DVSA appear to be keen to offer the opportunity for trainee driving instructors to be able to make informed decisions when selecting their training provider so that more successful outcomes are created more regularly in the industry.

The author has already registered for the Instructor Trainer Workshop being run by the DVSA shortly re changes to the part 3 and ORDIT scheme.  I will keep readers up to date on completion.

Tom Ingram provides payg training for trainee driving instructors 0775 607 1464