Grumbles from the Gearbox
How do I Book a Test?
dvsa train examiners to be C19 testers.
True or False?
Dear dvsa,
1. Give us expected dates that we can work with that you will have all the so called critical workers booked for practical tests. This we can share with our pupils and they can see a light at the end of the tunnel. They can then access the system easily. At present they feel we are just dragging things to take extra money from them. If you give people the answers they need they can understand and work with them, they are not as stupid as you appear to think.
I received this email from a pupil yesterday and it just about sums up the confusion at the moment. This pupil is intelligent, used to dealing with awkward data and researching the internet as part of their occupation for information. How is the average Joe or Joanna going to cope with this new maze?
Hi Don,
Thanks for your text message the other day, and sorry for the slow response. I've got a couple of questions.
First, my theory test expired during the Covid-times (I think it was a couple of months ago)--do I need to pass this again in order to begin lessons? (I think the answer is yes, but just checking.) I just tried to go through the process of booking a test, just to see what dates are available, and I got the following message: "The exam that you selected is not available at this test centre." This was for the Pearson Centre in Hastings, the Drury Lane one. I then tried again for the one in Tunbridge Wells and got the same message. Am I right in thinking that I can't book a theory test yet as a non-essential person?
Also, I'm a bit confused about whether driving tests can be booked by anyone now. Here it says that "You cannot currently book a new car driving test if you did not have one booked before lockdown": https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests
I didn't actually have one booked, so I'm guessing this means I'm not yet eligible to book a new one? Do you have any idea when I might be able to? (Sorry if you've already shared this info and I've missed it!)
I am not in any great hurry right now, so as long as you don't mind a bit of a wait while these things are resolved, it's ok with me.
..........................................................
The problem is not that I received this email, the questions are reasonable to ask, but thousands of other ADIs up and down the UK are receiving the same either via text, email, whatsapp or any of the other communication means ot there as well as irate phone calls. This is crazy, all we can say is
"I don't know the full true answer because they are not telling us, they are not even giving us guidance!"
This is so embarrassing it is unreal but it makes the dvsa look terrible, not us. Our pupils understand that we are only a means to an end and that the dvsa are the governing body, but they want to know what is happening. It is their money, their tests, their futures that they are rightly concerned with. They are being fobbed off with platitudes, or lies as they sometimes see it.
ADIs (and PDIs) are losing business hand over fist, as my pupil's letter shows he is prepared to, 'leave it' until the situation resolves itself.
We cannot not efficiently plan our diaries, which can be trying enough under normal circumstances. I am seeing across the country, stacks of cancellations coming in with , sore throat, a bit of a headache, I sneezed twice this morning, etc, etc and ADIs are having to accept cancellations left right and centre at incredibly short notice impacting a loss of fee. The ADI is then expected (dvsa guidance) to put this pupil into isolation as far as lessons are concerned for 2 weeks. While the dvsa sit back on their fattening bums on full salary, with sick pay if the calls and emails get to be too much to bear. We have lost hundreds, if not thousands of colleagues due to this crisis due to financial struggles who have given up the ghost, gone bust, found alternative employment or cracked under the financial strain of bankruptcy. They are gone, lost to the profession forever and all the dvsa do is stitch up nasp as an answer for which the nations ADIs are supposed to be grateful for with a set of approved questions, no challenges on answers permitted and no secondary questions as has now been revealed to us. Thank you to Sue Duncan for breaking out and making her statement this week, that took a lot of courage and her honesty is to be commended.
Other groups have sadly been accused of being divisive for criticising the Q&A, but if we the ADIs don't, then who will? ADIs up and down the country commented on it, the ordinary membership of the 3 nasp bodies felt really badly let down by them for lack of representation and as for the 75% of ADIs they claim to represent ....say no more!
ADIs are a great bunch of people, they just want to get on with their lives and the jobs that they love. They want to teach their pupils, help them achieve their goal of a licence and the freedom that brings, the job prospects and family transportation solutions. Generally they do not ask for much, just a clear cut simple life but it seems they want so much more as there is so much wrong with the dvsa that they ( me too) are constantly having a go and it has shown up massively with the C19 crisis this year.
1. Give us expected dates that we can work with that you will have all the so called critical workers booked for practical tests. This we can share with our pupils and they can see a light at the end of the tunnel. They can then access the system easily. At present they feel we are just dragging things to take extra money from them. If you give people the answers they need they can understand and work with them, they are not as stupid as you appear to think.
2. Tell us when the general public can expect to book in again for their driving tests, to the nearest month would do. They count just as much but do not score so many points on the popularity scales and feel they are being shunned. This could easily blowback on the HMG as a 'them and us' situation appears ruining all that HMG have done to garner faith in the NHS and win votes. Do you want to carry the can for this, there are whispers out there already that the ivory tower is not hearing.
3. ADIs need to be able to plan their diaries for the welfare of their pupils, their bank accounts, their business and their mental health, the latter being in tatters or on the verge of it for so many. We have relationships in serious problems out here because they simply cannot answer questions they need answers too and the frustration is getting to people and their families.
4. Is the curtailed test to be the new driving test for the UK.
Pupils have asked for years, "If they knew I had failed, why didn't they bring me back earlier instead of letting me think I still had a chance?" ADIs have asked and been told by the dvsa and its predecessors , "We cannot, as the candidate has paid for the full test and we must complete it unless it is unsafe to continue due to the standard of driving being dangerous and if that happens we leave the car after making it safe and walk back to the dtc."
The dvsa examiners are now able to decide who is a C19 carrier?
We are now told that candidates on committing a serious fault will fail and it immediately becomes unsafe for the examiner to stay in the car due to imminent C19 health risk. It would appear that the dvsa are now able to confirm that a candidate is a carrier of C19 if they make a serious mistake and must get back to the test centre asap. Strangely, despite the imminent threat of C19 from the candidate, the examiner must not park and run away but guide the candidate, pretending to mark a test safely back to the test centre.....!
Important Note. Candidates who pass the test are therefore C19 Free and safe to sit in the car with for the whole test.
Is this crass hypocrisy, someone from the dvsa please explain, you have my number?
As usual, if I have made any errors please let me know and I may correct it.
www.the aadi.co.uk
The DVsA response to recent media criticism about the current test waiting times is to throw in the kitchen sink - but, is this the right solution?
Are the DvSA morally bankrupt?
Why bother, the job is not what it used to be?
Where on earth does the dvsa thinking come from, we know where it belongs?
The AADI is offering to help the dvsa with its poor public image to help clear up some confusing issues on the driving test for driving instructors and learners in the UK and make their lives easier.
AADI advising the dvsa, and they are at last listening.
Did the dvsa go too far opening new theory centres when tests are not available?
We are all Ambassadors for our chosen profession
Dear dvsa,
DVSA thanks for all the recent emails,... keeping us ADIs up to date. I should like to discuss with you a few of the points that you have raised.
"It is all our fault (the ADI) that the booking system is in chaos and our fault that candidates are not turning up for the test".
how the dvsa fails its customers on a daily basis
