The DVSA has launched a behavioural change campaign to improve learner drivers’ understanding of what it means to be ‘test ready’.
Data shows that 51% of driving tests taken between October and December 2021 were failed.
The ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign encourages learners to delay their test if they are not ready – telling them this is ‘the best way of getting your independence and freedom as soon as possible’.
The campaign reminds learners that a test appointment can be changed without charge, as long as it is done at least three working days before the date.
It also aims to help with ‘learner nerves’ by providing better information on the pre and post driving test process and pointing candidates in the direction of all the places they can go to for help.
As for knowing when a learner is test ready, the campaign says they will:
- Not need help or prompts from a driving instructor
- Not make silly mistakes when driving
- Pass every mock driving test
- Be able to control nerves
Mark Winn, chief driving examiner, DVSA, says: “You’re ready to take your driving test when you can drive safely and follow The Highway Code without any prompts from your instructor, while keeping your nerves under control.”
How can ADIs support the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign?
DVSA research suggests 89% of learners feel ADIs are the biggest influence when it comes to assessing their test readiness.
As a result, it has produced a suite of materials for ADIs to use to help pupils and their parents better understand what it means to be test ready.
The toolkit includes information about the campaign, and some key messages designed to start a conversation between all parties. There is also draft content and graphics for social media, customer emails and blog posts.
The pass rate for the driving test has been 48% since the 1950’s or thereabouts. I’m not sure what the DVSA are alluding to, stating ‘Test Ready’? Candidates fail for a multitude of reasons. Anyone involved in driver training will tell you that strong candidates fail, & the ones you genuinely believe are borderline pass, often with a clean sheet! You also have the demeanour of an examiner. Some are just arrogant nasty people, others are genuinely warm human beings who make a testee relaxed. Ive know many examiners well over 40 years of civilian & military training. If you ask any examiner offline they will tell you that if they regularly pass more than 48% of candidates, they as examiners will be asked to explain why they have passed so many candidates, as statistics show that only 48% pass per month! I remember a few years back an examiner was sacked as he had a near 100% pass rate. The then DSA stated that statistically this was impossible? I once requested the test results over an 18 month period for a test centre, where I only asked that the examiners would be identified as A, B, C etc. The test candidates as male or female. It was because one examiner failed most female candidates. On receiving the results it was clear that one examiner was failing more females. Though they denied it & stated that any trend would be picked up, & they quoted a 10% variance as a trigger point, this guy was running at 11.7% over 18 months. The DSA sent this chap on a month long ‘gender awareness’ course.
Perhaps things are different now at the DVSA, but I doubt it very much.
Sandy Allan, Aberdeen
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