Examinese ~ Driving Test ~ Official Text to be used by Examiners for the Practical Driving Test.

Examinese  ~ Driving Test ~ Official Text to be used by Examiners for the Practical Driving Test.

This information was recently (March 2010) released by the DSA at an ADIRSO (1) meeting presented by Graham McMaster.
Details below;
ADIRSO Meeting for March.
Graham McMaster ~ DSA Assistant Chief Driving Examiner
A presentation on changes to the Practical Driving Test.

In brief as of the 6th of April of 2010 the driving examiner taking a driving test student out on a driving test will offer him/her the choice of taking along the driving instructor for the practical driving test (as an observer), the student has the right to accept or refuse this accompaniment of the driving instructor on the practical driving test. In my experience, as a driving instructor, whether the driving instructor should accompany the student on his practical driving test is a matter of circumstance. It is extremely important that the driving instructor and the student discuss this before the student is presented with the question by the driving examiner of the accompaniment of  his/her driving instructor . The main consideration in most cases is whether this additional overseer will negatively influence the student taking the test. There are many and numerous other questions that should also be addressed and discussed with the student before the practical driving test which may influence the students decision as to whether it would be wise for the driving instructor to accompany them on their practical driving test.

Furthermore the student will be asked, before the test commences, whether he or she would like her driving instructor to be present at the conclusion of the test for the debrief from the driving examiner. Unless the student has some very specific reasons why they do not wish the driving instructor to be present at the debrief, it is in most cases important for the driving instructor to be at the debrief at the end of the students practical driving test. Normally the students, especially if they have failed, are not really capable of taking in, in detail, the comments made by the driving test examiner. These debriefs, if used correctly by the driving instructor, are very useful to get feedback for future training of the student. The driving instructor is also more conversant with the area in which the test was taken and then can better evaluate and note where the problems occurred during the driving test.

It is important that the driving instructors who present their students for a practical driving test will have discussed these points with their students before the actual test. You will see in the official information presented below that certain points regarding the above are not very clear. This may be especially confusing to a student if he has not had a preliminary discussion with the driving instructor before he is presented with the practical driving test.

Below is the official DSA revised driving test “Examinese”(2) the driving test student will be presented with;

(From 6 April 2010)

Good morning/afternoon Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Joe Blogs..May I see your driving licence and your photo ID please (and if required: also your TT pass certificate please).

Mr/ Joe Blogs..would you read and sign this insurance and residency declaration please?

Is your name and address still the same as on your driving licence?

If not … Could you please enter your new address on the counterpart (or in the appropriate place on the old style paper licences) of your licence.

Would you like your instructor/accompanying driver to accompany you on test and be there for the result and end of test feedback. (The DL25 must be marked as accompanied)

If, candidate says” No” . Ask: Would you like your instructor/accompanying driver to be there at the end of test for the result and feedback

NOTE: Observer on Test wordings apply to Category “B” tests only

Thank you, will you lead the way to your car please.

A pre-test brief should be offered. This can be given during the walk to the car, or, if the distance is short, in the car. This should outline what will happen during the drive, for example:

The test will last about 38-40 minutes and it will take in various roads and traffic conditions and I will ask you to complete two manoeuvres and we may carry out an emergency stop. The sort of things you have been practising with your instructor/accompanying driver.

Which car are you using?

Will you read the number of ………..car……………..

Now I should like to ask you a few questions about your vehicle and other matters relating to vehicle safety.

If you would like to make yourself comfortable in your car now please, I will join you in a moment.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS

Throughout the drive continue ahead, unless traffic signs direct you otherwise, and when I want you to turn left or right I will tell you in plenty of time. Move off when you are ready, please.

Would you pull up on the left at a convenient place, please.or Pull up along here, just before………..please.

Drive on when you are ready, please.

Take the next road on the left/right, please.

Will you take the second road on the left/right, please. (If necessary add this is the first.)

At the end of the road turn left/right, please.

At the roundabout..

turn left please (it is the first exit)

follow the road ahead (it is the second exit)

turn right please (it is the third exit).

(Additional information should be given if necessary to assist the driver to plan their route through the hazard. Examples are in brackets above).

EMERGENCY STOP

Pull up on the left at a convenient place, please.

Shortly I shall ask you to carry out an emergency stop. When I give this signal, (simultaneously demonstrate, and say) ‘Stop’, I’d like you to stop as quickly and as safely as possible. Before giving the signal I shall look round to make sure it is safe, but please wait for my signal before doing the exercise.

Do you understand the instructions?

Thank you. I will not ask you to do that exercise again. Drive on when you are ready.

BODY OF THE TEST

Left-hand reverse

Pull up along here just before you reach the next road on the left, please.

I should like you to reverse into this road on the left. Drive past it and stop, then back in keeping reasonably close to the kerb.

Right-hand reverse

Pull up on the left before you reach the next road on the right, please.

I should like you to reverse into that road on the right. Continue driving on the left until you are past it then pull up on the right just past the junction, back in and continue well down the side road, keeping reasonably close to the right-hand kerb.

Reverse parking

Would you pull up on the left well before you get to the next parked car, please.

This is the reverse parking exercise. Would you drive forward and stop alongside the car ahead. Then reverse in and park reasonably close to and parallel with the kerb. Try to complete the exercise within about two car lengths.

Reverse Parking – car park (This can be carried out at the beginning or the end of the test).

Beginning of the test

Would you pull forward either to the left or the right so that your wheels are straight, then reverse into a convenient parking bay. Finish within one of the bays.

End of the test

I should like you to reverse park in the car park. Drive forward into the car park, then reverse into a convenient parking bay. Finish within one of the bays.

Turn in the road

Would you pull up on the left just past the …….please.

I’d like you to turn your car around to face the opposite way, try not to touch the kerbs when you’re turning.

Angle start

Pull up on the left just before you get to the next parked car, please. (If necessary add: leave enough room to move away.)

Hill start – (Use the ‘normal stop’ wording, or specify the place.)

END OF THE TEST PASS

Please switch off the engine and give me a moment to complete my paperwork.

(If the test was not accompanied and the instructor/accompanying driver comes over to the vehicle to listen to the conclusion of the test, the examiner should confirm with the candidate they want their instructor/accompanying driver present)

That’s the end of the test and you have passed – you can now drive unaccompanied whilst you continue to gain experience. However there are some driving faults recorded and for your further development I will explain them to you. (Give debrief)

With regard to eco-safe driving (if appropriate) I have noted….. This leaflet explains the benefits of eco-safe driving.

May I see your driving licence again please? Would you like your full licence sent to you automatically? I will need to keep your old licence. (if the candidate declines – inform them that the pass certificate only lasts for 2 years therefore they should apply for their full licence as soon as possible).

Please read the health declaration and sign the bottom of the test report

Here is your pass certificate – you should receive your new licence within about 20 working days. If you have any problems there are contact details on the back.

As a new driver you are at greater risk. One in five new drivers has a crash in the first six months. To help you keep safe talk to your instructor about the Pass Plus scheme, which includes motorway driving.

Here is a copy of your test report

Please take time to read all the information in this magazine – it contains very important details about the restrictions that relate to your licence that you need to be aware of before you drive unaccompanied.

END OF TEST FAIL

Please switch off the engine and give me a moment to complete my paperwork.

(If the test was not accompanied and the instructor/accompanying driver comes over to the vehicle to listen to the conclusion of the test, the examiner should confirm with the candidate they want their instructor/accompanying driver present)

Note: The debrief box should only be marked if the accompanying driver is present for the debrief.

That’s the end of the test and I’m sorry you haven’t passed.

Would you like me to explain why?

Would you like your (instructor/accompanying driver) to be present for the debrief.

If requested give debrief and mark debrief box. The debrief should include all serious and dangerous faults. If the candidate fails on an accumulation of more than 15 driving faults only, then all the driving faults need explaining.

In all cases an Eco-safe driving debrief should be given as follows:

With regard to Eco-safe driving I have noted… (appropriate debrief)

This leaflet explains the benefits of Eco-safe driving (hand out Eco-safe driving leaflet)

Here is the copy of the test report.

SUBSCRIPTS;
(1) ADIRSO ~ “Association of Driving Instructors and Road Safety Officers.”
(2) “Examinese” ~ coined by “Don Harris of ADIRSO”
DSA ~ Driving Standards Agency