by fungus » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:42 pm
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