Robust driving assessment

As my last blog was about an unbelievable driving test pass, it is quite natural for someone not working within driving training to ask the question:

"If that pupil was such a bad driver, why did he get put in for the driving test?"

I think if someone who is in the industry were to ask that question, they would be displaying such naivety that one could only really ask if there is a hidden motive in them raising that question.

The very first point to make is that anyone with access to an approved, roadworthy vehicle can take a driving test whenever they like.  There is no obligation in the UK to spend one-minute training with a registered driving instructor to learn how to drive.  As such, the idea that is driving instructors act as some gate, filtering system to prevent the public from going to take their driving test too soon is fundamentally flawed.

Working relationships with pupils that have mutual openness, trust and honesty in the conversations are the goal of DVSA registered driving instructors.  Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their confidence and ability, and take ownership of the process they choose in learning to drive.  In the interests of safety, they are prepared to listen and heed the advice given to them by their driving instructor.  (For young adults, I believe this should also include their parents).

How a pupil drives on a driving test does not necessarily reflect the standard of driving they are capable of in an environment outside of the driving test.

If one puts to one side the prospect of a flawed driving test assessment, consider the responsibility for the correct timing of a driving test which is in the hands of either pupils/parents or if they care to listen to their driving instructor, driving instructors.  This skill is not assessed within the qualifying tests to become a driving instructor.  It is possible that newly qualified driving instructors could take some time to develop this skill.  The correct timing of specific activities is involved, think intricate brain surgery, sporting techniques, project management; mistakes will happen - humans do not get things right on every single occasion.

Let me remind readers that the national average pass rate in the UK remains at less than 50% as it has for years.  Statistically, there is more chance of failing a driving test on the first occasion than passing it.

When the timing for driving tests goes wrong AND the assessment process is not sufficiently robust the result is we have newly qualified drivers let loose on public roads with all the potential safety implications then created.  It is for this reason alone; in my opinion, the final assessment of whether a driver should be allowed to drive independently is critical and must have 100% integrity.  The method by which the DVSA makes that assessment must be sufficiently robust that it eliminates inherent human error.