Category: driving instructor part 2 training

1. DVSA announces driving test changes from March 1st

   Posted on 7:00pm Monday 28th Feb 2022

   Driver testing services – lifting of COVID-19 driving test restrictions

   We are lifting COVID-19 restrictions affecting driving and theory tests in England from Tuesday 1 March in line with the government announcement that English restrictions ended on 24 February. The changes in England are: • face coverings will be a personal choice for practical and theory test candidates and examiners • driving tests will no longer end early unless the candidate’s driving is so poor it is a risk to their safety and that of other road users - in line with the pre-COVID-19 policy • instructors and accompanying drivers are able to sit in on driving tests • you no longer have to self isolate if you have COVID-19, but we encourage you to rearrange your test if you feel unwell for any reason You need to make your pupils aware of these forthcoming changes, especially if you have made their practical test booking for them. The current driving and theory tests safety measures in Scotland and Wales remain in place and we will let you know of any changes. DVSA guidance on GOV.UK will be updated shortly.   Face coverings Your pupil will have personal choice on whether they want to wear a face covering on their driving or theory test from 1 March in England. Candidates will no longer have to let us know if they cannot wear a face covering in advance of their driving test from 1 March. This also applies to bookings you make on behalf of your pupils. Our driving examiners can also make a personal choice to wear a face covering if they wish. Face coverings continue to be a personal choice for you and your pupils during driving lessons in England. Ending driving tests early From 1 March, our driving examiners will no longer end tests early and they can continue after a candidate has committed a serious or dangerous fault to give them the full-test experience. Tests will only be terminated early if the driving examiner assesses that the candidate’s driving is so poor it risks their safety and that of other road users. This is in line with our pre-COVID-19 policy. ADIs sitting in on tests We are lifting the restriction on ADIs and accompanying drivers to sit in on a driving test from 1 March. This means that driving examiners will ask your pupil if they want someone to: sit in the back of the car during the test be with them for the result and feedback ADI standards checks and ADI part 2 tests The lifting of restrictions for wearing face coverings on tests from 1 March also includes ADI part 2 tests and ADI standards checks. Standards checks will continue to last for 40 minutes. Clean vehicles We will no longer be cancelling driving tests if the inside of a vehicle is not clean. However, we continue to encourage you to clean and tidy the inside of your vehicle when presenting it for a driving test in line with good hygiene. It will be optional for examiners to wipe down surfaces in test vehicles or ventilate these vehicles during tests. Pupils testing positive for COVID-19 We encourage candidates testing positive for COVID-19 up to 5 days before their driving test not to attend their test to reduce the spread of the virus. You or your pupil should email us at [email protected] with the subject title ‘COVID-19 short notice cancellation’ to rearrange their test. You or your pupil will need to include the following information in the email: their driving licence number their driving test booking reference number We will then contact you or your pupil to help rearrange the test. Your pupil will not have to pay again.   Taking rapid lateral flow tests Until 1 April, we continue to ask your pupils to take a rapid lateral flow test before their driving test if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. We are asking that they do this on the day of their driving test, before they leave home. Find out more about taking a rapid lateral flow test before taking a driving test. Thank you for your support We know this has been a very challenging period for the driver and rider training industry. The changes we have made to our services have had an impact across the industry but you have shown resilience, supported our colleagues and responded positively to our engagement. We want to thank you for taking the necessary action to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, and protect our colleagues.

2. Latest DVSA Driving Test News July 2021

   Posted on 6:00am Friday 16th Jul 2021

   LATEST UPDATE FROM DVSA

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   Driver testing services: step 4 of the roadmap

   Following the government’s announcement setting out plans to move to step 4 of the roadmap in England on 19 July, we want to explain what these changes mean to driver testing services in England and how these will affect you and your pupils.

    

   Driving lessons: keeping yourself and others safe

    

   There is still a risk you could catch or pass on the virus, even if you are fully vaccinated.

    

   You are encouraged to exercise caution and consider the risks.

    While no situation is risk free, there are actions we can take to protect ourselves and others around us.

    Wearing a face covering

    COVID-19 spreads through the air by droplets and aerosols that are exhaled from the nose and mouth of an infected person.

   The government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in enclosed spaces.

    So we still recommend you and your pupils wearing a face covering during a driving lesson.

    Fresh air

    When a person infected with COVID-19 coughs, talks or breathes, they release droplets and aerosols which can be breathed in by another person. Fresh air blows away these particles, reducing the chances of COVID-19 spreading.

    

   The more fresh air you let into your vehicle, the less likely a person is to inhale infectious particles.

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   Driving tests

    Taking rapid lateral flow tests

    From 19 July, we will continue to encourage your pupils to take a rapid lateral flow test in the 48 hours before their driving test

   Face coverings

    From 19 July we will continue to expect you and your pupils to wear a face covering when you come for driving tests,unless you or your pupil have a good reason not to, such as:

    • having a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering

   • putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress

    Your pupil must tell us if they have a good reason not to wear a face covering when they book their test –

    

   if you have made the booking on behalf of your pupil you will need to do this if required.

    

   Your pupil’s test will not take place without a face covering if they do not tell us ahead of their test.

    If your pupil makes a dangerous or serious fault on test

    From 19 July if your pupil makes a serious or dangerous fault, which means they’ve failed their test, the driving examiner will still direct them back to the driving test centre, where the test will end.

    

   This is to minimise the amount of time they need to spend in the vehicle.

    We will keep this measure under review.

    

   Car cleanliness and fresh air

   The car used for the test must have at least one window open on each side throughout the test.

   Any combination of windows can be opened. Your pupils should wear clothing suitable for the weather.

   Allowing instructors to sit in on driving tests

    As part of our measures, we stopped allowing you to sit in on driving tests.

    As social distancing measures are relaxed on 19 July, we'll review this measure and consider when you will be able to safely sit in on driving tests again.

    We will let know as soon as there is an update on this.

   Test centre waiting rooms

    In general, the risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 is higher:

   • in crowded spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious

   • in enclosed indoor spaces where there is limited fresh air

   We encourage you to keep your distance and wear face coverings in our waiting areas to help reduce the spread of the virus.

    

   Some of our waiting rooms will need to remain closed because they are located in:

   • shared buildings where the landlord is not allowing public access

   • rooms with no ventilation

    

   We will continue to work with our local facilities team and landlords at these sites and will let you know when we are in a position to reopen them.

3. Driving instructor training to resume from 12th April

   Posted on 7:00pm Monday 22nd Feb 2021

   Driving Instructor Training – Latest

   A roadmap out of lockdown in England has been announced this evening by the prime minister, with close contact services (such as driver and rider training) expected to resume from 12th April. 

   Driving Instructor Training

   This was announced this evening – Monday Feb 22nd by the Prime Minister.

   The details of today’s announcement from the PM can be found on GOV.UK ‘Covid Response – Spring 2021’, with specific reference to driver testing on page 34, item 110:

   110. Additional premises will be able to reopen but should only be visited alone or with household groups: non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers, salons and close contact services; and indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and spas (but not including saunas and steam rooms, which are due to open at Step 3). Overnight stays away from home in this country will be permitted and self-contained accommodation – those that do not require shared use of bathing, entry/exit, catering or sleeping facilities – can also reopen, though must only be used by members of the same household. The Government will open public buildings such as libraries and community centres. Activities such as driving tests may also resume.

   The overall lockdown ‘exit’ plan is divided into four stages with the promise that, after the first stage in March, further lifting of the rules will happen if certain conditions are met (i.e. if the vaccine rollout is going to plan).

   We are awaiting clarification from DVSA as to their specific plans for resuming testing services, more news on this expected some time tomorrow.

   So as long as the rates of infection etc, continue to stay steady and not rise sharply, the date of April 12th 2021 will be the date for resuming driving lessons and driving instructor training
   

4. Changes to the Standards Check, Part Two and Part Three Assessment in response to COVID-19

   Posted on 8:00am Thursday 12th Nov 2020

   Summary of Changes to the Standards Check, Part Two and Part Three Assessment in response to COVID-19

   Why are these changes needed?

   The industry already recognises that working in vehicles, in close proximity to pupils and candidates, carries a higher risk than in many professions. Because of this, standard operating procedures have been adapted across driver and rider testing and training to limit the risk of infection from COVID-19. As ADI and PDI assessments require three people to be in vehicle, extra precautions must be taken to limit exposure

   Why is it important to continue ADI/PDI assessments at this time?

   We mustn’t lose sight of the fact road risk is a public health issue too. Ensuring those delivering driver training are up to standard is an important factor in managing that risk. It is important we continue ADI assessments to ensure the quality standard of learning is maintained and these assessments are a regulatory requirement.
   Evidence shows a direct link between high performing trainers and pupil pass rates.

   To mitigate road risk, it is important we do not neglect instructor assessment and enforcement at this time

   Why not reintroduce role play?