Category: ORDIT 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. 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?

3. Top 5 reasons ADIs fail their standards check

   Posted on 7:00am Sunday 9th Aug 2020

   (source:DVSA Despatch)

   Working to the national standard

   During your standards check, your examiner will be looking for evidence that you meet the national standards for driver and rider training.

   You’ll be marked on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories:

   • lesson planning
   • risk management
   • teaching and learning skills

   The 17 areas of competence are listed in the ADI standards check form, which the examiner will assess during your check. Look at these before you take your standards check, so you know what the examiner will be assessing.

   Analysing standards check data

   The standards check replaced the old ADI check test on 7 April 2014. After it had been running for 3 months, we analysed the results to understand which areas most people were failing on, so that we could help people focus their training in those areas.

   We have repeated the exercise this year, analysing data from over 2,000 standards checks.

   The top 5 reasons

   Our latest analysis shows the top 5 areas where instructors fail to demonstrate competence are where they haven’t:

   • adapted the lesson plan, when appropriate, to help the pupil work towards their learning goals
   • taught the lesson in a style suited to the pupil’s learning style and current ability
   • encouraged the pupil to analyse problems and take responsibility for their learning
   • given the pupil appropriate and timely feedback during the session
   • given enough feedback to help the pupil understand any potentially safety-critical incidents

   Lesson planning

   You need to show you can adapt your lesson plan, where appropriate, to help your pupil work towards their learning goals.

   You shouldn’t stick to a planned lesson because the needs of your pupil might change throughout the lesson and it’s important you can adapt to that.

   Teaching and learning strategies

   You need to be able to show you can teach your pupil in a style that’s suited for them. This means using methods that work best for them. For example, when giving verbal directions, your pupil might find it easier if you referred to left and right as ‘my side’ or ‘your side’.

   It’s important you give your pupil appropriate and timely feedback rather than giving it all at the end of the lesson. Having regular discussions throughout the lesson helps your pupil understand what they might have done wrong.

   You should encourage your pupil to analyse problems and take responsibility for their own learning. For example, if your pupil forgot to check their blind spot before pulling out, you might:

   • ask them if they know what they did wrong
   • explain why they need to make sure they check their blind spots next time

   Risk management

   Another area instructors commonly fail on is not giving pupils enough feedback on any potentially dangerous situations.

   As well as providing your pupil with timely and appropriate feedback, it’s important that if they make any serious or dangerous faults they know what they’ve done and why it’s dangerous.

   It’s up to you to make sure they understand this, so they don’t make the same mistake again.

   At the end of the test

   At the end of the standards check your examiner will give you feedback about any areas where you need to develop. You can refer to the national standard for driver and rider training to help you understand what you could be doing differently.

   If you fail the standards check, the examiner will recommend that you seek further development from an instructor trainer.