After a long, and slow lockdown over the winter, do we have a bright and fresh spring ahead of us?

To begin with I wanted to thank the dvsa for all the new and plentiful emails coming out with lots of information, they are positively pouring out, unfortunately it is just posting information on how to tax your car, change address, check your MoT and renew your licence. All just links to their online services, and each one being done individually to make up content. All could be covered with a link to Gov. UK transport and then select what you want.  This is every bit the same as the old costermonger on the market telling you about each cup, saucer, dinner plate, and bowl rather just showing the whole service together to let us chose what we want from it.....it's called padding it out!

I guess not then, a pity.

Less than 24 hours notice to cancel.

If you, or I had the policy of cancelling lessons at short notice and pupils across the country where losing out from this practice, I am sure the dvsa would have something to say, I am sure the local trading standards and good old money guru Martin Lewis on TV would be complaining about us and taking up the learners case on this.

The dvsa seem to think it has been ok through this pandemic to cancel tests at short notice. Once the date of 12th April was on the table why were tests that were in the system not moved immediately from that point on? It is not rocket science that once you know all the dates up to the 12th are dead then shift everyone that is booked before then. Move them all to at least 2 -3 weeks from opening to allow the ADIs out there to prioritise their pupils and get them ready.

Driving test and the parallel parking - is it fair to ask the learner to be more capable than the examiner marking them?

This is no joke, despite what you may think. How many times have you seen an examiner making adjustments to their parking in the carpark, a couple of shunts, the same as you or I, and job done. Does the adjustment on our parking get marked down against our ability to drive - not flippin likely! If it was most of us would be on a final warning if our job depended on a driving licence. Then why, oh, why is the adjustment on the driving test to the parking manoeuvre, or any other manoeuvre for that matter marked as a fault as that can tip the test over the line into a fail. I have seen examiners hit the kerb, bounce over onto the grass, at one London test centre it was entertainment for the ADIs watching a particular examiner if they popped out for lunch, or had a late start, the parking was entertaining to watch. I have even seen an examiner, open the drivers door and lean out to check the lines whilst parallel parking into a bay he was making such a mess of it. My pupil who was having a celebratory smoke in the car park after passing his test nearly wet himself laughing saying ''you would kill me if I tried that''.

Surely the marking should be simply a pass on the manoeuvre, or not as the case may be, and not put in faults for adjustments, safety checks I can understand do require to be noted if missed.

Who's fault is it the pass rate hasn't changed since Noah took his test?

I see that the dvsa are again asking that ADIs only bring up candidates for the test when they are ready. How do they think we select our pupils for the test, lottery?

ADIs since the creation of the DSA and the new ideas boys moved in have jumped through hoops to keep abreast of the new thinking on teaching people to drive. ADIs are now called coaches, tutors, developers, and loads more besides, yet the basic qualification has not changed, just the method of measuring it, and how many go on to higher qualifications above Facebook forums for their knowledge?

We now coach our pupils as well as teach and instruct - depending on the situation. The test has had several changes to it, some of them farcical but the test pass rate has not changed in decades. Why is this? The dvsa say that they are improving the standard of the ADI and yet we regularly see stories of ADIs with good pass rates being downgraded and deciding to leave the job. I have received one such call this week from a colleague who has had enough and taking early retirement.

It is everyone's fault except the dvsa. They never ask themselves ''what can we do''. Well how about improving your image with the public for one. You have an absolutely shocking reputation for employing people who dine on live babies for breakfast and live in caves breathing fire, or cast spells on candidates.

If you don't believe me come outside of your catacombs, pop into the local - when it is open, and ask folk about their examiner experience. If meeting the public outside is too scary a prospect take a look at social media to see what people think of you.

Your examiners are, to large extent, great guys, they work on the front line alongside us ADIs to do the job for you, and yet you cannot see it. Joe and Jo public are terrified of the reputation of the examiners, but the guys I have worked with are straight, gay, or bisexual normal people who have families, homes, bills and hobbies just like the rest of us. They play football, rugby, tennis, go to the cinema and eat out, rumour has it they can even read and write. Yet the public do not see this, or think this way. WHY?

 WHY, it is simply because you do nothing to educate or engage with the public to think otherwise. When was there last a programme on the tv, or radio that showed them to be normal, everyday people. They are not allowed to talk to us, restrictions on attending local meetings and why not have test centre open days, done well in advance and shared widely - not just posted in the local Dtc asking ADIs to spread the news. Use local and social media to get the message over, speak to the public, they are after all, your customers. Sadly customer focus is not a great part of your remit, yet you expect, even demand it of others.

Is engaging with the public, the people who pay your salaries, too much to ask? Is it time to privatise the dvsa for better public service as the dvsa seem to have forgotten what is needed. Why is the CEO, not on the TV or radio explaining the current situation and show that they are willing to earn their salary and face the people they are there, allegedly, to serve?

Just what have the dvsa really done to improve road safety, anyone know out there?

Expired theory test certificates.

Sad news is that, the theory test certificate life cannot be extended due to need for having current knowledge for the driver when they get a licence!  I wonder if all those people out there who never, ever took the theory test will now be considered for testing on the theory and licences be suspended if not able to pass. Now there is a nice little earner for the dvsa. 

Also, will all the people in the Northern Ireland who had their theory test certificates extended due to the C19 crisis now have restrictions placed on their licences if wishing to drive on the mainland due to not having current knowledge when they passed?

Covid19 Passports

Just 3 weeks ago a member contacted us on the issue of pupils and examiners showing a doctor's certificate or similar before allowing them into the car for lessons, or tests. Since then there has been a lot of talk in the news and media on exactly the same subject and though it may have seemed a little odd to some when we first discussed it, the subject has grown legs. Many venues are now considering this as an option to be able to open and run safely, airlines are considering and several countries, the UK included are now looking for confirmation of visitors having been vaccinated before being allowed entry. Will this be brought into our industry and a certificate to use the Dtc or theory test centres?

We are waiting for a reply on this.

*the term ADIs is used to cover all in the training side of driver education.

As usual, if you spot any errors or inaccuracies, let us know and they will be corrected.

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