Assessments for driving instructors

 

We like to keep communication clear at BIG TOM.  Pupils need clear in-car verbals and digital resources and so do franchisees.  There have been updates to the assessment procedures which I'd like to expand on in this blog.  I'm attempting to do two things in this blog; firstly, given that my audience is mainly people who are considering a career change to become a driving instructor, I will raise their awareness of the different types of assessments for driving instructors in training and when qualified.  But also, while I'm on the subject, I will include the Covid-19 amendments to the DVSA Standard Operating Procedure.  Readers should always be mindful that this information is correct as at the time of writing.  Anyone coming on board with the franchise will have the latest documentation in their training manual.  The sources used for the information contained here are The Driving Instructor's Handbook, GOV.UK and National Associations Strategic Partnership.

Once the DVSA accepts the driving instructor application (£300) a PDI (trainee) can book up the Part 1 Theory test and hazard perception (£81).  This test is in two parts and in total lasts 1hr 30mins.  Firstly, the 100 multiple choice questions, 25 questions in four categories:

road procedure

traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge

driving test, disabilities and the law

publications and instruction techniques

Trainees use the same test centres doing their theory test as learners.  At the time of writing, all test centres are closed due to lockdown 2.0  The overall pass mark is 85%, and you must achieve at least 80% in each of the above 'bands'.

On completion of that part, you can have a 3-minute break before starting the second part, which is the hazard perception test using video clips.  There are 14 video clips, 13 of which have a developing hazard shown which you have to click on the mouse to show you have recognised the escalation in risk.  One clip has two developing hazards.  The timing of the mouse clicks is critical as there is a pre-set window of scoring which is fixed; clicking prior or after that window results in no points.  

Passing this hazard perception requires a score 57+ out of a possible 75 (each scoring window ranges from 1-5 dependent on precisely when you click).  You will notice it is possible to score zero on some of the clips and still pass the test.

The Part 2 test is assessing driving ability.  It can be booked only when Part 1 is passed.  It normally lasts about an hour and costs £111.  There has been no formal notification at the time of writing about the length of this assessment being reduced.  It comprises of the following:

an eyesight check (26.5 metres)

3 "tell me" questions before setting off, and 2 "show me" questions while driving (unsuccessfully dealing with all 5 results in a fail)

general driving (possibly with emergency stop included)

2 of the following reversing manoeuvres - parallel park, reversing into a bay and driving out, driving into a bay and reversing out, pulling up on the right with a short reverse and then rejoining traffic.

independent drive for 20 minutes either following signs or using sat nav

It is possible to take this test in your own car (saloon, hatchback or estate - but not convertible), but you are welcome to use the BIG TOM driving school car.  If you have a manual driving licence, you can take this test in an automatic and when passed still teach manual and auto.  

These used to start at fixed times pre-covid, but now there is more flexibility, and they still start/end at the driving test centre.  There are a list of covid precautions that need to be adhered to and you will be specifically advised on these as part of your training with BIG TOM.  To pass the test you must commit no 'serious' or 'dangerous' driving faults (the same criteria as the learner test), and no more than 6 driving faults (a group of the same fault can become a 'serious').  Training for this assessment does not necessarily involve several hours of in-car training.  Be wary of organisations who INSIST on a pre-fixed number of in-car hours. Depending on experience and aptitude, it is possible to make effective use of remote learning with BIG TOM and private practice using technology to assist.

If you fail this test three times, then you must wait for the two year period of passing your part 1 to elapse before you re-apply to retake Part 1 test.

This leaves the third and final qualifying assessment, instructional ability.  This is a rather misleading title in and of itself, because ultimately, what is being assessed is how you demonstrate that you are able to help someone learn in an effective way.  If you've been reading my recent blogs on the subject of learning, you will be aware that the rapport and working relationship that is developed between instructor and pupil is key to effective learning outcomes.  Therefore there is this rather artificial notion that an independent examiner can step into your driving school car at any given time and witness all the hard work that has gone on previously to create a successful working relationship.  You can have worked hard in previous training sessions in order to get where you are, and then, an examiner wants to see you artificially evidencing those same competencies.  It is a great shame because in order to satisfy that criterion, it inevitably involves eroding some of the trust that has been created in the working relationship.  

Having passed the Part 2 test, you have a choice ahead of you.  You could immediately train with us here at BIG TOM, where you will definitely be prepared with the above in mind, which will also pass this Part 3 test.  Or, if you prefer, you can apply for a trainee licence (£140), where you can get to practice more for a maximum of six months with the assistance of a sponsoring ADI.  Prior to applying, you must have had 40+ hours training with an ADI previously.  There are a couple of ways in which this can be conducted depending if you are utilising real pupils or incorporating remote learning which I can go through with you should you like the idea of this trainee licence.

This test can be conducted in your own car, like the Part 2 test.  It used to last about an hour, but the Covid conditions have reduced that to 45 minutes to limit exposure.  The examiner now contacts the PDI prior to the day of the test for the timing and location of pick up to be agreed.  

You used to be able to use pupils at any stage of learning, from beginner to qualified.  Covid conditions stipulate now that beginners should not be used, the lesson should be a 'moving' lesson (for increased ventilation), with no long pauses at the side of the road with dialogue.  Even the goals and risk management that is talked through at the start should be no more than 3 minutes long (there is nothing to stop you from chatting through this prior to the test).  Likewise, the period at the end for the pupil to reflect on the session should be no more than 3 minutes.  So, there is no option any longer to do a manoeuvres lesson, for example, where there is little movement of the car (ventilation).

The assessment criteria for the Part 3 test is an interesting mix of criteria broadly spread over three headings (see the attached image).  As your session progresses, the examiner is looking for evidence of the competencies listed - the degree they are covered affects the column on the right.  There is a pass/fail grade and suffice to say that as with this type of assessment, there are plenty of people who are very keen for you to part with your money so they can impart their pearls of wisdom as to the art of maximising scores. What fuels the fear is the appallingly low pass rate of this test that consistently stands at 30-40% nationally.   We have all observed over this year just how powerful and influential it is to generate fear in human behaviour.  It is a strong emotion to conjure up, and a great deal of money is spent in the industry stoking up the scaremongering.  It is very regrettable because it sets entirely the wrong notion of what meaningful learning is to newly qualifying driving instructors.  If you will allow me to demonstrate to you, fear does not need to come into the proceedings.  As we've seen with Covid, fear affects how people think, act and perceive things, and it is no different with this assessment.  If your training is solely skewed towards worrying about grades then for sure, you can expect to get unpredictable behaviour, just like we have all seen recently in how people and even organisations are acting in fear.

At BIG TOM, in the same vein as the blogs preceding this one, if you interact with your pupil in a professional, courteous manner where you pay attention to creating value, then you will pass this test without the need for rote learning where instructors behave artificially for the assessment.  Remember that if you train to pass a test only, then you are highly likely to discard any of the content of the training once the objective has been achieved.  

There is a whole range of Covid conditions that now have to be complied with, and I will happily go through with you these details at the time.

When you pass this test, you can apply for your ADI (green) badge (£300) and start earning.

Periodically, there is an assessment of instructors called a Standards Check.  It is conducted in a similar way to the above for the Part 3, the scoring sheet is given below.