Acclaim Driving Blog
News From The DSA
Published: February 17th 2010
Observer on test
The 75th birthday of the driving test marks the start of the biggest overhaul to driver training and testing since its introduction in 1935. We have seen significant changes in the way we live and travel since the driving test was introduced some 75 years ago. As more and more people have taken to the road, road networks and traffic systems have grown and developed, car design has evolved and improved, traffic conditions are more complex and challenging. Similarly, we have seen many changes to the way in which we learn to drive and are tested, to maintain and improve road safety. Producing better drivers is their business. It is at the heart of what they do. And this much anticipated overhaul will help us all deliver better drivers, safer roads and a more modern test that is reflective of real driving.
Acclaim welcomes your comments.
The recent DSA 'Learning to Drive Consultation' identified ‘observer on test’ as just one of the ways training and testing of learner drivers could be improved. So, from 6 April examiners will ask all test candidates if they would like their instructor to sit in on their test and listen to the debrief from the examiner.
Last year 18,000 instructors accompanied their pupils on 81,000 tests but this is triggered by candidate requests not an invitation from examiners. The figures indicate over a third of instructors sit in on at least one test a year but overall this happens for less than 5% of all tests.
The DSA want more. They want all learners to be aware that they have a choice as to whether they want to have an instructor accompany them, or not. Why? Because the benefits to learners are clear – they have much to gain, whether they pass or fail. Learners get invaluable feedback from instructors who sit in on the test and listen to the debrieffrom the examiner. Plus instructors who see their pupils’ performance at first hand are better placed to plan future lessons, develop areas of weakness, or build on their strengths if they pass by advising them to take Pass Plus or further advanced driving. This is an important part of the Learning to Drive Programme, which seeks to move the focus of qualifying for a licence away from simply passing the driving test to placing more emphasis on the whole learning experience and continued learning.
Candidates who don’t take their instructor on test are missing out on their instructor’s feedback and expertise to develop them properly. It is also a missed opportunity for instructors to see how their pupils perform on test.
Examiner Paul Selby explains: “Candidates who are upset at failing their test or even excited at passing often hear very little of the feedback, so it is important that their instructor also hears the feedback. In my view, this is the most important aspect of this new process”. The opportunity to go along on test as an observer will give instructors, particularly new instructors, a clear idea of what is expected on test. This will help their own development, as well as that of their students.
Driving instructors who go out on their pupils driving test benefit from seeing how the examiners work and it can be a learning experience for the instructor as well asthe pupil. Acclaim always reccomend that their driving instructors take this opportunity as much as possible.
And there are more changes to theDriving Test . Candidates that need an interpreter can use their instructor to interpret for them on test from 6 April. Allowing instructors to act as interpreters will improve the test experience for those whose first language is not English. Removing language barriers will give candidates the opportunity to understand clearly the examiner’s directions and feedback – making test conditions better for candidates.
The DSA also found that although some learners are aware of observer on test, many are not. The total of 81,000 tests with an observer out of the 1,743,754 we conducted last year is not a lot. We need you to help us to encourage learners to take this up.
For the DSA's part, they are working hard to let people know about this important improvement to the car driving test. Expect to see articles, leaflets, posters in test centres,
YouTube films, Facebook and Twitter messages as the DSA celebrates the introduction of a new test alongside their 75 Direct as a way to keep updated.
