State of independence

[fungus]

Any ADIs read the report in Driving Instructor magazine, page 8, on the DSA's proposed independent driving element of the driving test, that has been trialled at Cardington?

It is now proposed to further the trials in seven other areas, five in England , one in Wales, and one in Scotland. One of the five test centres involved in the trial is Dorchester, one that I use resonably frequently.

Without going into too much detail, I will give a brief description of the test.

The trail involves a pupil at test standard, with the ADI sitting in the front seat. The test will be conducted by the test centre manager, who will sit in the back seat behind the ADI. The Examiner will give instructions, but the ADI must not intervene, only in the interest of public safety.

The independent ellement involves the pupil driving for a period of ten minutes. The examiner chooses one of three options. Option 1, The driver is asked to follow the road and traffic signs to a specified location. Option 2, The driver is required to follow a set of three verbal directions from memory. Having been given directions and asked to repeat them back to the examiner, they will be shown a diagram indicating where the location will be. The third option is for the examiner to give directions as per the current test.

At the completion of the trail drive, the learner driver will be required to complete a short questionaire, with questions regarding the length of time during which they have been driving, and the number of lessons which they have taken up to that time.

The examiner will not give a debrief, and the results will not be discussed either with the pupil or the ADI. A report will be sent to the Road Transport Research Laboratory for analysis. Neither the learner driver or the ADIs details will be identified, retained, or used during this trial.

Nigel ADI
IAM trainee observer

[Angus]

Is this to be an additional element to the existing test process, and if so when? (ie before/during/after the practical test)

[ROG]

The one discussed by the DSA at the Leicester consultation meeting last year was to stop the learner on test about 5 or 10 mins away from the test station, give them a map or verbal directions and then tell them to 'take us back to the test station' - no further intervention by the examiner unless needed for safety.

[fungus]

Angus wrote,

Is this to be an additional element to the existing test process, and if so when? (ie before/during/after the practical test)

This will take place during the test.

Nigel ADI
IAM trainee observer

[Gerald]

What an utterly stupid idea.

[ROG]

What an utterly stupid idea.

Why? - it's what they might be doing the day after the test........

[fungus]

Gerald wrote:
What an utterly stupid idea.

John Brown a well known local specialist instructor, who specialises in teaching pupils with disabilities and learning dificulties, has written an article in Driving Instructor magazine voicing his concerns about the changes after taking part in the trials with four candidates, all with differing disabilities, and how it affected them. Just to give an example, he explains what it's like for him when driving in France. He says he is like a dyslexic reader: too slow to recognise the words and having to focus too hard on the signs to make sense of them. He said that although he has an idea what the place name should be, the letters are muddled and don't make immediate sense. Would it make him an unsafe driver? The affects on pupil with learning dificulties woud probably be worse than that.

I would imagine from what he has written about the candidates experiences, that anyone that has any difficuties would find the proposed changes too much to cope with.

After reading the article I can sympathise with his concerns, but I can see why the DSA are wishing to introduce the changes, as some pupils seem reluctant to take responsibilties.

Nigel ADI
IAM trainee observer

[ROG]

It was mentioned at the DSA consultation that those with special needs would be treated differently and according to their requirements.

[Gerald]

The average driving test candidate is a bag of nerves as it is.

Now they are going to be expected to navigate AND carry two passengers whilst still having their every moved scrutinised by a pen pusher.

The driving test is never going to be anything more than a basic test of competence to be on the road. Let's not over-complicate matters.

[TripleS]

The average driving test candidate is a bag of nerves as it is.

Now they are going to be expected to navigate AND carry two passengers whilst still having their every moved scrutinised by a pen pusher.

The driving test is never going to be anything more than a basic test of competence to be on the road. Let's not over-complicate matters.

I'm not quite clear as to how this relates to the existing DSA test for new drivers.

If they are contemplating applying this format at the new driver test stage, i.e. the standard DSA test, I agree with you, Gerald. It is too much, too soon. It seems to me more important to improve the existing test regime, getting all the basics right, before overloading candidates with navigational tests.

....unless the underlying aim is to have a higher proportion of test failures, and shut more people out from driving, and coining in more money in test fees at the same time!

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[waremark]

I strongly doubt that this change to introduce 'independent driving' to the test is addressing a major cause of accidents among young drivers.

[fungus]

I think your right waremark.

It's in the nature of teenagers to rebel, and as I said in my post on the Gwent Police video, where the teenage girl causes the death of four people whilst using her mobile phone. Continualy banging on about something will either make people switch off, or, and I think in the case of some teenagers, make them rebel against it.

Nigel ADI
IAM trainee observer

[TripleS]

I think your right waremark.

It's in the nature of teenagers to rebel, and as I said in my post on the Gwent Police video, where the teenage girl causes the death of four people whilst using her mobile phone. Continualy banging on about something will either make people switch off, or, and I think in the case of some teenagers, make them rebel against it.

Nigel ADI
IAM trainee observer

....and not just teenagers!

Best wishes all,
Dave - still in his first childhood.

[fungus]

I don't know how I forgot you Dave

Nigel ADI
IAM trainee observer