In case you weren’t aware (we weren’t till today) DVSA are temporarily allowing candidates to change their test up to 8 times.  It was previously 6. This is an attempt to reduce traffic into the Call Centre.

Out of fairness this has been extended to ADI tests although qualifying tests are of course time limited.  The position will be reviewed once the internet booking system is switched back on to the public.

Some suggestions about the test booking system:

  • do tell your students not to cancel their test for a refund, or they will lose their ‘on hold’ place as money has been refunded at that point.
  • do keep checking for test times.  As slots get filled they are adding new tests.  There is no regular time or day that this is happening, slots are auto renewed as they fill up.

We have been promised more news on SCs, Part 2 and Part 3 tests shortly.  There is currently no date for when new Part 2 tests may be booked.  DVSA are arranging Part 2 and 3 tests for PDIs who had test cancelled.  As soon as we know dates we will let you know.

We should have a new lot of questions and answers from DVSA to send out shortly.  Watch this space!

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Graduated driver licencing will again be discussed by MPs next month, as part of an inquiry into young and novice driver safety.  Here is an article from Road Safety GB on GDL.

RSGB have another article of interest, on the National Travel Attitudes Study.

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News of court case Involving the driving school Drive Dynamics.

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As our Scottish members prepare to go back to work, hopefully towards the end of the month, along with others who had deferred their return, we thought it timely to remind people about the following:

Driving test restart: 5 things to remember

1. Keep your vehicle clean

You must make sure the inside of the vehicle is cleaned before the test. The examiner will also use an antiviral wipe to clean the passenger door and anything they’ll need to touch inside the vehicle.

2. Arrive at the right time

Do not arrive for the driving test more than 5 minutes before your appointment time.
The driving test centre waiting room will be closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, but the toilets will be available on request.

3. Make sure your pupil wears a face covering

Your pupil must wear a face covering when they come to the test centre, unless they have a good reason not to. This includes if:
• they have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means they cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
• putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause them severe distress
• they need to remove it during your test to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to themselves or others
Your pupil must have told us if they have a good reason not to wear a face covering when they chose a test.
It’s important that your pupil has practised driving wearing a face covering before their test. If your pupil has a problem with their face covering during the test, their driving examiner will ask them to stop so they can adjust it. Their driving examiner will end the test early if it becomes a safety issue.

4. Check if your pupil should be self-isolating

Your pupil must not come to their driving test if:
• they or someone they live with has coronavirus symptoms
• they’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that they’ve been in contact with a person who has coronavirus
• they have returned to the UK in the last 14 days, unless they travelled from certain countries or territories or are in other very limited situations

5. Check your pupil knows what happens if they make certain faults

Make sure your pupil knows that they can carry on if they make a mistake during their driving test.
If they make a serious or dangerous fault, which means they’ve failed, their driving examiner will direct them back to the driving test centre, where the test will end. This is to minimise the amount of time they need to spend in the vehicle.

 

Do remember that our toolbox for returning to work is available for you on the front page of our website.  This includes lots of information and articles on risk assessments, information to give your students, NASP guidelines, Ts & Cs and a whole lot more.

 

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Maria Noakes, an ADI from Hertfordshire  fell down the stairs breaking multiple bones which put her out of work for 6 weeks,  then she caught Coronavirus which in turn led to a stroke.  Although she is getting help from the government, it is not enough to cover all her outgoings. Colleague Claire Brewster has set up a fund to help her.

If you are able to help, your donation however small would be much appreciated.  Please follow this link.

 

 

Our bank of questions and answers can be found on the front page of the website – www.adinjc.org.uk – please make this your first port of call if you have a question.

If you need to write to DVSA about test bookings the email to use is customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk; for anything about PDI or ADI licences it’s PADI@dvsa.gov.uk.  Most of the staff are still working from home so it’s best not to post anything in.  It may be sometime before they deal with the many sacks of post that have been received.  Please remember that they are dealing with a massive amount of queries and problems and patience will be needed!

 

 

 

 

If you would like to join the ADINJC there is more information on our website.

 

 

 

Whilst our newsflashes are normally a benefit of membership of the ADINJC, during this national emergency we want to share information as widely as possible, so please feel free to pass this on.  We are stronger together.

 

The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.  Please feel free to contact us for help and support.

 

ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444

The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414

 

The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis.  We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.