Yesterday evening, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) announced that driving tests were being suspended for a period of up to three months. It could be less: it could be reviewed and could end up being longer. Nobody knows!
If your test was booked for you by Inclusive Driving then we will receive individual notifications for each candidate, and we will let you know as soon as we receive it.
At present, tests are not being rebooked by the DVSA. A replacement date will be sent through at some point and, again, we will let you know as soon as we receive it. Please note that new dates will be subject to instructor availability (but we will do our best for you).
At present, lessons are still unaffected, and the advice given in yesterday’s post still stands.
An update on our plans during this difficult time.
As of today (20th March 2020), lessons are still going ahead. However, nobody knows for certain what government plans will be enforced in the coming weeks and months. Until I am told to stop lessons, it is business as usual.
Please note, however, that if you become ill yourself, or you are required to self-isolate due to a household member showing symptoms of the virus, please cancel your lesson. The cancellation policy is very lenient at the moment, and if you are genuinely forced to isolate then there will be no charge for a short-notice cancellation.
In terms of the wider picture, Theory tests have been suspended for four weeks. Those of you who I’ve been nagging to book your theory, so as not to delay your ability to book a practical test, should keep practicing and take your theory test as soon as possible when test centres reopen.
Practical tests were suspended for the two days of the 19th and 20th March only. At present, there is no blanket ban on practical tests. Examiners are, of course, facing illness and may be forced to isolate just like the rest of the country if their household becomes unwell. This will mean that there may be short-notice cancellations of driving tests.
On a personal level, it is becoming more and more likely that as an ex-nurse, I may be called upon to rejoin the nursing profession on a temporary basis under emergency legislation given to the Nursing & Midwifery Council. Although it will be optional, I feel it is my duty as a responsible citizen to help out with front-line nursing care if the need arises. I trust you will all support me in this if and when this happens. I will, of course, resume driving lessons once “it all blows over”.
But until I get the letter on my doormat, it’s driving lessons as normal, unless you inform me otherwise.
Best wishes, stay safe and sensible and look after each other.
Richard Bates Approved Driving Instructor Inclusive Driving.
When you take your practical driving test, you will be asked if you would like your instructor to sit in the back of the car during your assessment. It’s entirely your choice but Inclusive Driving recently attended a presentation by the DVSA (the organisation that conducts the test) and they actively encourage allowing your instructor to observe your test.
The key points from the presentation were that it benefits the learner and the instructor. This helps you improve your driving whether you pass or fail. It also helps the instructor to improve, thereby benefiting future learners.
Disappointingly low number of ADIs accompanying tests
ADIs accompanying tests will conduct more realistic mock tests.
They will see how an examiner gives directions and instructions.
Seeing assessment first hand, as opposed to fault marking, will improve their own level of recording faults
ADIs will see how pupils are performing under pressure and give better feedback/development even on successful tests
Consistent areas of weakness will be highlighted more readily to allow self-reflection and better personal development to improve instruction in those subject areas
ADIs should sell the benefit of being on the test to reluctant pupils. Further development needs are likely in most cases
While it is always the learner’s choice, I also encourage “sitting in”, and for the majority of tests, I do so. So when the examiner says, “would you like your instructor to accompany you on test”, there’s a good reason to say, “YES”.
There are a few strict rules that have to be followed during an observed test; to ensure that I don’t influence your driving in any way that might be seen as cheating:
Who can observe driving tests
You can observe a driving test if you’re 16 or over, but you can’t take any part in the test.
Turn your phone off or make sure it’s switched to silent.
‘Tell me’ vehicle safety question
You can help the candidate to lift the bonnet if they’re struggling, but don’t interfere unnecessarily.
Where you sit
It’s usually least intrusive to sit behind the candidate, However, the best position is wherever it’s the most comfortable, providing you can sit upright with the seatbelt correctly fitted.
During the test
When the test has started, you can:
take notes to help the candidate
change position to improve the candidate’s visibility during the reverse exercises
Don’t:
answer your phone
prompt the candidate by coughing or nudging the back of their seat
nod enthusiastically or make excessive eye contact with the candidate – it can be seen as a pre-arranged code
The test won’t be stopped if you naturally look left, right and behind you – but try not to put the candidate off.
At the end of the test
Listen carefully to the feedback so that you can give the candidate more detailed feedback later.
Speak to the test centre manager or follow the complaints procedure if you’ve genuine concerns about how the test was conducted.
You may have read Kieran’s Story on his studies towards passing his theory test. In his article, he mentions using the Theory Test Colouring Book: an excellent resource if you struggle with traditional methods such as books and websites.
The theory test colouring book is similar in style to the anatomy and physiology colouring books used by university students such as doctors and dentists
Learners have found it useful for varying reasons:
Being black and white from the outset, it’s not “in your face”. As you colour the pages yourself, you can choose colours that suit you, or choose not to colour it at all.
Having words on one side and pictures on the other, helps learners who need a tidy, organised format.
If a keyword on a practice theory test is confusing, the index usually leads to a picture explanation of the topic
Colouring is fun and relaxing; possibly the best state of mind to have when studying!
If you want to buy your own copy, it retails for £14 and can be bought directly from the publisher: click the image below.
I suffer with ADHD and autism. This affects my concentration
and actions. I have problems remembering
things too, even the simplest of things can seem much harder for me. My anxiety makes it hard for me to
communicate what I am feeling, and what I am trying to say.
When I wanted to learn to drive, I was worried I would have
problems with remembering basic skills, especially the Highway Code and that
people would not be able to understand my needs.
I found Richard’s website online stating he taught people
like me and other special needs etc. We decided to give driving a go, thinking
if it was too hard then I could just stop the lessons.
Richard came to visit me at home and talk to my mum and dad
about my needs etc so that he could understand my issues and how they affect me
on a day to day basis.
Richard was very kind and understanding and I felt at ease with him straight away and this made me more relaxed during my lessons.
Richard was understanding, he would explain things in a way I could understand if I did something wrong whilst driving. I had two hours of lessons every week and we went through all the topics required and if I needed longer to understand it properly then Richard would calmly go over it again with me until I felt confident.
I was concerned about learning the Highway Code and being able to complete my Theory Test as I have problems remembering things. Richard showed me an online site where I can answer questions like those on the actual test. When I started doing this, I was getting low scores and I was worried that I could not do this. I bought the Theory Test Colouring Book and studied that alongside the online site that Richard recommended.
I kept studying the website every day and I started getting
better and my scores were getting slowly higher each time I did the test
questions. I struggled at first with the hazard perception tests but after
using the guides every single day, my results for these tests got better and
better.
When Richard said it was time to book in for my Theory Test, I started to become nervous, as I do struggle with reading and writing and the understanding of things. My mum contacted the Test centre and they were so helpful and kind. They understood everything perfectly and they offered my mum some ways that would help me out.
They offered a reader who would read the questions and answers out to you. They offered a private room so that you don’t get put off by other people in the same room doing their tests too. They also offered extra time so that you didn’t have to panic trying to complete everything. Also, they would offer someone who would explain the question to you if you didn’t understand the question itself. Sometimes I am not sure what a word means. They would say the sentence so that you would understand the question, without telling you the answers.
Due to my own personal problems, I accepted the reader, the private room and the extra time. If I didn’t pass the first time, then I was going to ask for the extra help from the person who would explain the questions to me.
My mum booked in my test date and the lady explained
everything to her, what I needed to bring etc.
When I arrived at the centre, I was met at the Reception by a man who was very nice to me and kind. He made me feel relaxed as he was funny and softly spoken. He took my details and explained what I needed to do with my coat etc. I emptied all my pockets and they checked I had no phones, mics etc on me. The man was friendly and made me feel less panicky. I waited in the waiting room and then I was called into a room where another staff member rechecked my pockets and up my sleeves again.
The man who met me on Reception called me into another room
which had one computer set up. He opened the programme and told me what to do i.e.
using the mouse to choose my answers. He then started to read the questions out,
and I clicked on the ones I thought were correct. After completing this part of the test, he
then opened the hazard perception test and after telling me what to do he left
me on my own to complete the test.
When I had completed that I was met by the same man again who handed me my test results. I was so happy that I had passed the first time.
The extra time, reader and private room really helped me to
do my tests more confidently. I had plenty of time to think about the answers
without worrying that I was taking too slow to have the questions read to me and
then for me to think about the answers.
I highly recommend Richard, he will teach you all that you need to know to pass your driving test. He remained calm and supportive with me. I was nervous to start to learn to drive, but he was completely patient with me throughout and made it all an enjoyable experience.
To buy your own copy of the Theory Test Colouring Book, click here
Your driving instructor may have told you that if you attempt the bay park but don’t get the car in the bay first time, you can shunt forwards & backwards to correct it. For this, you may be awarded a driving (‘minor’) fault.
But how many shunts are allowed? One or two? Three? Unlimited?
According to the Driving Examiner guidelines, there is no set number of shunts that is acceptable.
Here are some real experiences of some other instructors…
They only give them a few tries to get it right Usually, 3-4 is the average
LF
I had a student this week who completed the reverse after 3 adjustments. At the debrief the DE said if she hadn’t got the car in then, she would have been failed
PM
There’s no limit […] if it was woefully bad so as to demonstrate little/no control they can just get candidate to drive on without opportunity for correction.
KB
on a test one of my learners took a 2nd shunt and passed. He asked the examiner who said one more and you would have failed.
AC
I’ve had someone pass with 5 attempts, as long as you are making progress they will let you continue. If you keep going back and forwards without changing […]they will call an end to it
SC
As you can see, there seems to be a lot of variation in what has been acceptable on real driving tests.
My opinion, which is backed up by a very well respected instructor (who also trains people to become instructors in the first place) is that we need to look at what is happening on each shunt.
If the first attempt is way off the mark because of a complete loss of control, lack of observation or lack of understanding on how the steering should be applied then no amount of shunting is likely to work. Similarly, if the candidate is shunting back and forth but not actually achieving anything (e.g. just ending up back in the same place each time) then the examiner is likely to award a serious fault and fail the candidate.
However, if each shunt is taken with good observation, the end result is getting closer each time, and the candidate is demonstrating that they understand, then the examiner is likely to be more lenient.
There is no limit… it’s all about making reasonable progress and improvement If the attempts being made are doing nothing but confirming a lack of knowledge, understanding or ability then the examiner won’t be allowing that to be demonstrated again and again. If, clearly, the pupil ‘gets it’ and is making sufficient efforts to rescue themselves in the right way, they will be given adequate chances to do so
LW
My top tips for a successful bay park:
Move the car slowly and steadily, giving you time to observe, think, and adjust.
Make a plan before you move.
Every time you finish moving forwards or backwards, ensure the front wheels are straight.
Keep looking in different places: this gives you a general sense of position, and will make you more accurate than staring in just one mirror.
In accordance with our Environmental Policy, we have previously offered a financial incentive to customers who chose two-hour lessons instead of a one-hour lesson. This has had the desired effect of discouraging one-hour lessons and reducing unnecessary mileage between customers and also allowed us to offset the additional mileage in accredited carbon-reduction schemes.
This policy has been so successful that we have decided to stop offering one-hour lessons to new customers. We will continue to offer a financial incentive to customers who use public transport to attend lessons locally, rather than the instructor driving longer distances to the customer’s home, thus further reducing unnecessary car-mileage and the resulting carbon emissions.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is the government organisation responsible for enforcing high standards of driving and best practice. As well as administering the two driving tests (theory and practical), they also oversee many other processes:
Driving instructors: the qualification process and ongoing standards checks
HGV driving hours
HGV safety
Public transport drivers
Their publication: Driving: the essential skills is, in my opinion, the best book to buy while learning to drive. In addition to information on practical driving, it contains everything needed to pass the theory test.
With information relevant right from the start (it even tells you how to apply for a provisional licence), through to motorway driving and your first unaccompanied driving when you pass, if you only buy one book, make it this one!
Disability Driving Instructors is a voluntary register of specialist driving instructors.
