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Changes to the UK Driving Instructor qualifying examination …

Since 23 December 2017, the way that the two practical ADI tests to qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) has been improved. The ADI Part 1 test won’t be changing.

Better assessment of driving ability
The ADI Part 2 test will change to reflect the changes made to the car driving test on 4 December 2017. Trainee driving instructors will have to demonstrate the skills that they’ll be teaching to learner drivers. The changes include:

  • driving independently for around 20 minutes (an increase from the current 10 minutes) while following directions from a SatNav or a series of traffic signs
  • doing 2 of 4 possible reversing manoeuvres:
    – parallel park at the side of the road
    – reverse into a parking bay and drive out
    – drive into a parking bay and reverse out
    – pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic
  • answering 2 vehicle safety questions while driving – for example, showing the examiner how they’d use the car’s cruise control

More realistic assessment of teaching ability
The ADI Part 3 test will change to become a much more realistic assessment of a trainee driving instructor’s ability to teach a learner.
The driving examiner no longer role-plays the part of a learner driver. Instead, the trainee will give a driving lesson to a real learner. The examiner will sit in the back of the car to assess their teaching and coaching ability. This means tailoring the training to the needs of the individual learner.
The examiner will:

  • look for evidence that the trainee instructor meets the national standard for driver and rider training
  • mark 17 areas of competence in 3 categories – lesson planning, risk management and teaching and learning skills

The change will bring the ADI Part 3 test in line with the ADI standards check, which every ADI has to take at least once every 4 years to stay qualified.

Client-centred learning
People learn in different ways and at different speeds. Client-centred learning is an approach to learning that takes into account how the learner prefers to learn. When people learn in this way they are more likely to retain information and skills. People are also more likely to keep learning if they are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning at an early stage. Put simply, instructors are expected to listening to each learner (the client) to find out how they like to learn, the things that are getting in the way of their progress and how best to tailor driving lessons.

Graduated Driving Licences – back on the road safety agenda …

The prime minister has asked the Department for Transport to explore the introduction of graduated licensing for newly-qualified drivers.
Speaking in Parliament on 7 February, Theresa May said ‘too many people suffer loss and tragedy at the hands of learner drivers’.


Raising the issue, Jenny Chapman, the Labour MP for Darlington, said that one in four young drivers are involved in an accident within the first two years of passing their test, and young drivers are involved in 400 road deaths or serious injuries each year.
She asked Ms May whether she would consider the introduction a graduated licensing system for the UK.
The prime minister said: “I will certainly look at the request that she has made and I will also ask the Department for Transport to look at this as an issue.
“As she says too many people suffer loss and tragedy at the hands of learner drivers in this circumstance and we will certainly look at that.”
Already in place in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, graduated driver licensing (GDL) involves placing restrictions on new drivers which can include: a ban on driving in the evening and at night, limiting the number of passengers in a vehicle and reducing maximum speeds.
Newly qualified drivers acquire a full licence once they have gained sufficient experience on the road.
In October 2017, a Welsh Assembly member expressed his frustration that the UK Government is not considering introducing a GDL system, which he describes as a ‘potential game changer for road safety’.
The move has been backed by the RAC, who described GDL as a ‘very positive step towards preventing the loss of young lives on our roads’.
Pete Williams, RAC road safety spokesperson, said: “The RAC has been calling for a reform of driving education for young people and the introduction of graduated driving licences… so this is a very positive step towards preventing the loss of young lives on our roads.
“Evidence from other countries where some form of graduated driver licensing is used shows that it has been successful in reducing the number of collisions involving young drivers, but in order for it to be as effective as possible it has to be part of an overall package of measures including more extensive driver education.”
Brake is also encouraged by the announcement, saying the current system is ‘not fit for purpose’.
Joshua Harris, Brake’s director of campaigns, said: “Ensuring that novice drivers have the skills and experience to drive safely on all types of roads, and in all scenarios, is an urgent priority. Our current licensing system is not fit for purpose and throws newly-qualified drivers in at the deep-end, at great risk to themselves and others.
“We are encouraged that the Government will look into the issue of Graduated Driver Licensing, however, this process must result in positive change. Young and novice drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of road crashes and the introduction of a comprehensive Graduated Driver Licensing system is critical to reverse this trend.
“Brake is calling upon the Government to bring the UK’s licensing system in line with best practice worldwide, requiring a minimum of 10 hours professional tuition for learner drivers and introducing a novice license, with restrictions in place for two years after passing the practical driving test.”

Drop in car ownership among young people

Sweeping changes to social-economic conditions and living circumstances are the main factors behind a marked drop in car ownership among young people over the past 25 years.

These are the key findings outlined in this study carried out by academics from the University of the West of England and the University of Oxford, on behalf of the Department for Transport.

The study says a rise in lower paid and less secure jobs, a decline in home ownership and increased levels of participation in higher education are among the trends that have influenced the transport decisions of 17-29 year olds since 1990.

Growing urbanisation, the high cost of driving and a preference for young people to communicate online – rather than face-to-face – are other contributory factors.

Driving licensing among young people peaked in 1992/4, at which time 48% of 17-20 year olds and 75% of 21-29 year olds held a driving licence. By 2014, these figures had fallen to 29% of 17-20 year olds and 63% of 21-29 year olds.

In 2010-14, only 37% of 17-29 year olds reported driving a car in a typical week, compared with 46% in 1995-99.

The researchers say the general trend has been for each cohort of young people since the early 1990s to own and use cars less than the preceding cohort, and for the growth in car use with age to also be at a lower rate.

The study also found that those who start to drive later, drive less when they do start. This effect is even being seen among people who are now in their forties.

Dr Kiron Chatterjee, associate professor of Travel Behaviour at the University of the West of England, who led the study, said decreasing numbers of young people in the UK taking up motoring is the ‘new norm’ and it is ‘difficult to envisage’ a return to a car ownership boom such as the one witnessed between the 1960s and 1980s.

Changes to the UK Driving Test

From Monday 4 December, the independent driving section will be extended to approximately 20 minutes with four out of five tests being guided by SatNav.  This will enable longer and more mixed test routes. 1 out of 5 tests would still use “following signs for…” routine and will similarly be extended to 20 minutes.
DVSA’s will use a TomTom Start 52 Sat Nav.  The graphics on the screen are uncluttered and clear.  The device will be mounted on the dash with a grip mat.  The battery will power the SatNav for a full day without a recharge.
The existing pre-set parking manoeuvres are retained, with the examiner opting to choose one exercise during the test.  The turn-in-the-road and corner reversing exercises have been taken out of the test.  One of the “show me / tell me” questions will be conducted on the move.
Two new manoeuvring exercises will be introduced:
1. “Pull up on the right” – candidates will be requested, while on the move, to pull up in a safe place on the right. Candidates will then be asked to reverse a distance of approximately two car lengths and then drive away returning to the normal flow of traffic when safe to do so.
2. “Parking in a bay in a public car park”. Again, on the move, candidates will be asked to drive forward into an open space on the left or right, then, having parked, reverse out to the left or right, and drive away.
To read the DVSA’s advice and guidance … click the image above.

Proposed new stopping distances for the Highway Code

Stopping distances in the UK Highway Code should be increased because drivers’ thinking me has been underestimated, according to figures obtained by BRAKE, the road safety charity.

BRAKE asked TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) to provide evidence on time taken by car drivers to perceive, recognise and react to emergency situations. TRL referred to academic literature and concluded that the average thinking me is 1.5 seconds − more than double the 0.67 seconds set out in the Highway Code.

This means that average total stopping distance − including thinking and braking distance − is an extra 2.75 car lengths (11 metres) at 30mph and an extra 3.75 car lengths (15 metres) at 40mph compared with the distances used in the Code. This difference rises to an additional 6.25 car lengths (25 metres) at 70mph.

 

BRAKE is calling on the Government to increase stopping distances in its next update to the Highway Code.

Jason Wakeford, spokesman for BRAKE, the road safety charity, said: “These figures suggest stopping distances taught to new drivers in the Highway Code fall woefully short. Even though car braking technology has improved in recent years, the majority of the overall stopping distance at most speeds are actually made up of time taken to perceive the hazard and react.

“The research shows that average thinking time is more than double that set out in the Highway Code. A true understanding of how long it takes to stop a car in an emergency is one of the most important lessons for new drivers. Understanding true average thinking me reminds all drivers how far their car will travel before they begin to brake  − as well as highlighting how any distraction in the car which extends this time, like using a mobile phone, could prove fatal.

“BRAKE is calling on the Government to increase the stopping distances in the Highway Code as a matter of urgency.”

Proposed changes for 2017 to practical Driving Test

Subject to review, the proposed changes could be introduced as early as Summer 2017.

There are 4 main proposals:

1. Extend the independent driving part and make use of satellite navigation

The time allocated to the independent drive will double to 20 minutes, using Sat Nav as an alternative to road signs, not instead of. Because some candidates will still be asked to follow road signs, they need to receive training in both areas.  Sat Nav can be distracting and the screen and spoken instructions need to be interpreted against what can be seen ahead.  Research suggests that over 50% of motorists rely on satellite navigation, so there is a clear training need to prepare new motorists.

The preferred position for the device will be in the centre of the windscreen, at the lowest point you can access vision, so that it doesn’t distract from driver.   On test, DVSA plan to use a matt that will sit on the dash.  If there’s a specific request, it can be located on the right-hand side of the driver.

2. More challenging road and traffic environment

By spending less time on quiet low-risk side roads, performing the pre-set manoeuvres, more time will be available to cover a wider variety of roads, in more complex traffic conditions.  It is expected that test routes will be extended on average by approximately 2 miles enabling more use of faster roads and possibly rural roads.

3. Replace the manoeuvres with real-life procedures

Candidates will be expected to perform an exercise involving parking on the right hand side of the road.  This will involve judging when it is safe to move across to the right-hand side of the road, stopping accurately, then reversing a short distance, before pulling forward to re-join the traffic safely.   Candidates will also be expected to drive forwards into a parking space, then reverse out.

Both of these manoeuvres have some controversy associated with them.   While most ADIs wouldn’t regard either as best practice, they are commonly required tasks. These are not dangerous manoeuvres, they are higher risk, and new drivers need to know how to manage this.

The skills taught for the current pre-set exercises are easily transferrable to the new manoeuvres.  These are an ability to control the car at slow speed, position it accurately, and be able to respond to other traffic sensibly.

4. Questions about operation of controls on the move

Operating an ancillary control is an everyday thing that people do when they are driving.  Therefore, a question will be asked at a suitable point on the move, such as “when you feel it is safe, show me how you would switch on the headlights” or “when you feel it is safe, show me how you would turn on the heated rear screen / rear windscreen wiper”.

Changes to training

Changes to the driving test will improve the training given to learners by their instructors.  Training to deal with risks will better prepare candidates for the real world.  There have been so far, over 4,500 learners take part in the DVSA trials.  Broadly speaking there is support from the ADI industry and the candidates themselves, although not everybody agrees with certain changes. Ultimately, the ongoing research will decide whether these changes should be implemented or not.  Information about this can be found here.  The consultation continues until Thursday 25 August and can the survey can be found here