Reply to letter ADINJC sent regarding timing study

We have today received correspondence from DVSA on the points we raised with them. Below are the responses –

Devolved responsibility –
 Regulation 24 states that any person authorised by the Secretary of State can carry out the test. Regulation 38 then goes on that any person authorised can attend for supervision of the test or otherwise. Any person in the public service of the Crown is authorised by the SoS.

Regulation 24 –
24 Persons by whom [manoeuvres,] practical and unitary tests may be conducted
(1) A [manoeuvres test, practical test] or unitary test other than a test conducted in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2) [or (2A)] may, subject to the following provisions of this regulation, be conducted by—
(a) a person in the public service of the Crown appointed by the Secretary of State;
38 Further requirements at test
(9) A person submitting himself for a [manoeuvres test, practical test] or a unitary test shall, during the test—
(a) except where the test is for a licence authorising him to drive a motor vehicle of a class included in [category AM, A, G, H or K], allow to travel in the vehicle—
(i) the person authorised to conduct the test; and
(ii) any person authorised by the Secretary of State to attend the test for the purpose of supervising it or otherwise;
DT1 –
 As detailed in 1.02, the DT1 ensures that driving tests are conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations. The DT1 is the guidance that driving examiners follow when they carry out driving tests in Great Britain. This also provides information to the candidate and accompanying driver about the requirements of the driving test and how the test will be conducted. The regulations that are laid out are contained with the DT1 in a format that is user friendly and beneficial for the reader.

SN Candidates –
 The timing study will take place on practical driving tests and would be advantageous if some tests with candidates with special needs were included so all test types were captured. The intention is to make the test run as smoothly as possible for the candidates and ADI’s therefore, I would suggest that, as is the current practice, the ADI and / or candidate discussed specific requirements with the local driving test manager prior to the test.

Introductions –
 The trained examiners who will be conducting the timing study will be introduced by the driving examiner in the waiting room prior to going out on test.

Reasonable objections –
 This could include if they have been accompanied before on a previous test however each individual circumstance will be evaluated on its own merits. Please speak to the LDTM.
• If there is a reasonable objection will the test go ahead?
 If there is a reasonable objection, as above, then the test will continue to be conducted.
 Regulations state that (as highlighted earlier) the driver presenting for test shall allow the person authorised to conduct the test; and (ii) any person authorised by the Secretary of State to attend the test for the purpose of supervising it or otherwise.
If the candidate / ADI does not present a suitable reason then the test may be terminated. However the examiner will explain the reasons for the timing study and the benefit for all concerned.

Technology –
 This exercise will be carried out to industry standards to ensure we have captured the full end-to-end driving test process, which involves timing each individual aspect of the test. Specialised electronic data recording equipment will be used.

Waiting lists –
 This is an important exercise that has many benefits for the agency and customers that was agreed prior to the new test implementation. The impact on resource will be extremely minimal due to the low numbers of staff involved and the tests that will be timed will be programmed into the working day as normal and not require any amendments to test times. Operational delivery requirements to address customer waiting times will continue to be addressed during the period of the timing study.

In our recent blog post, we let you know we will be carrying out a timing study of the driving test from 16 July until October 2018 across 127 test centres.

We’re carrying out the study to help make sure the new test is as efficient and effective as possible.

How it will work
Trained driving examiners and specially trained timing study observers will work as a team to monitor the overall time taken to conduct the test.

The driving test examiner will greet the candidate in the waiting room as normal and introduce anyone accompanying them before the test starts.

The accompanying study observer will sit in the back of the car and time how long various aspects of the test takes.

This includes things like setting up the sat nav or completing a manoeuvre. It is only the task that will be timed, not the examiner or the candidate.

There will be no additional scrutiny of the candidate taking their test, and the accompanying observer won’t take part in the test.

Driving test regulations

regulation 38 of The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999.

states that any person authorised by the Secretary of State can attend for supervision of the test or otherwise.

Anyone in the public service of the Crown, such as a driving examiner or timing observer being paid to carry out this role is authorised by the Secretary of State to supervise a test.

Refusing an accompanying examiner
It’s important the timing study is carried out across as many different tests as possible to help us accurately capture the information we need.

You should make candidates aware during this period their test might be part of the study.

You shouldn’t refuse to let any additional observers sit in during the test, as they have been given the authorisation to do this.

To help make sure tests continue to run smoothly, you should contact your local driving test manager before the test if your candidate has any specific requirements.

 

states that any person authorised by the Secretary of State can attend for supervision of the test or otherwise.

Anyone in the public service of the Crown, such as a driving examiner or timing observer being paid to carry out this role is authorised by the Secretary of State to supervise a test.

Refusing an accompanying examiner
It’s important the timing study is carried out across as many different tests as possible to help us accurately capture the information we need.

You should make candidates aware during this period their test might be part of the study.

You shouldn’t refuse to let any additional observers sit in during the test, as they have been given the authorisation to do this.

To help make sure tests continue to run smoothly, you should contact your local driving test manager before the test if your candidate has any specific requirements.

 

We’re aware that some candidates who’ve registered to book a driving test online with a Gmail account, haven’t received an email confirming their appointment details.

We’re working with Google to fix this issue. Until this is fixed, we’d advise you use a different email address when booking a test where possible.

If you need to book a driving test with Gmail email address, you can check your driving test appointment details online between 6am and 11.40pm.

Driving examiners will now be using a new mobile search app to check if cars used for driving tests have a valid MOT and tax.

Most people won’t have to worry as instructor cars should have both valid tax and MOT.

Only cars which examiners have reasonable concern with will be checked, and it will not change how long the driving test is.

If a car is found not to have either a valid MOT or tax, the test won’t go ahead.

As we had some queries from members about the forthcoming timing study, we wrote to DVSA to ask for further details. This is their reply –

Notices will be placed in test centre waiting rooms to inform customers, particularly ADI’s, to the upcoming timing study.

Mark Winn, Chief Driving Examiner, has given formal approval to allow the timing study to go ahead and officers of the Agency and timing engineers acting on behalf of the Agency, to accompany driving examiners on test to capture the relevant information. The timing engineers will be considered as ‘operational staff’ and therefore would not be expected to withdraw from accompanying a test on the request of the ADI unless there are exceptional circumstances. Whilst we consider this event to be rare, the timing engineers will be trained to avoid confrontation and to step away should the candidate raise a reasonable objection to their presence, however it is vitally important that the correct amount and level of information is gained from these studies.

The accompanying of driving tests by officers of the Agency is covered in the DT1 and they would not be expected to withdraw from accompanying a driving test. However to cover your question with regards to route learning, training etc, if a reasonable objection is raised then operational staff will withdraw from accompanying the test.

I agree that most ADI’s will explain the purposes and benefits of the timing study to their pupils. I also hope that you and your members will be supportive of our work and realise that this timing study is important to help provide the necessary overview of last year’s changes to the driving test, and helps to ensure it remains as efficient and effective as possible; any efficiencies gained will be beneficial to your members, as well as driving examiners.