Are you preparing your students for the latest changes to the car theory test which will be coming into force in April 2020?

Currently, students have to answer 50 questions in total in a total of 57 minutes, with 5 of them revolving around a “case-study”. However in the new tests your students will be asked to watch a short, silent video clip instead and will be asked three questions based on the video. During these questions the video clip will appear on the left hand side with controls to play or pause and move the video, as well as to watch it full screen.

The video clip will be of a typical driving situation, perhaps through a town or down a country lane, in a similar vein to the current hazard perception videos However, instead of being asked to click when you spot a hazard, your students will be asked questions on what they saw, for instance:

1. Why are motorcyclists considered vulnerable road users?
2. Why should the driver, on the side road, look out for motorcyclists at junctions?
3. In this clip, who can cross the chevrons to overtake other vehicles, when it’s safe to do so

Your students will have four possible answers to choose from.

The aim behind the test is to make the theory test more accessible, especially to people with reading difficulties such as dyslexia, learning disabilities and other development difficulties such as autism.

4Wheelz is a driving school that operates as franchises throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands. If you would like to train to become a driving instructor, then you can find out more about our excellent training program here. Alternatively, if you would like to join us as an instructor from another driving school (or maybe you were operating independently) then click here to find out more about our franchise.

In the last decade, one of the big talking points in the car industry has been the rise of “driverless” cars with manufacturers including Volvo, Nissan, Mercedes and Renault all showing off concept cars and promising more and more autonomous vehicle features. Are your students prepared for a world where they could be sharing a road with cars that would make better decisions than themselves?

The different levels of autonomy

The term “driverless” cars currently cover a broad range of definitions as manufacturers work at different levels of autonomy. The Society of Automotive Engineering came up with 5 “levels” of autonomous vehicle which is the generally accepted definition.

Level 0 Automation – This is your everyday car with no autonomous features at all – the driver is in full control of steering, braking, accelerating, parking, reversing etc.

Level 1 Automation – This level is known as “Driver Assistance” and there are already some vehicles on the road today with this level of automation. This is where the driver still maintains control but has various features to assist them, such as adaptive cruise control to maintain a safe gap from the vehicle in front, lane assist etc.

Level 2 Partial Automation – This level is currently being developed where the vehicle can assist with steering or acceleration functions but the driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle and is still responsible for most safety critical and environmental monitoring.

Level 3 – Conditional Automation – This level of automation is the biggest leap from the previous three levels which is where the vehicle begins to monitor the environment using sensors such as LiDAR and the vehicle begins to take over from the driver. The driver’s attention is still critical at this level but functions like braking can be left entirely to the technology.

Surprisingly, some manufacturers such as Audi have already created vehicles with this level of autonomy 2 years ago but they were unable to launch in the UK due to Regulation 104 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which states: “No person shall drive or cause or permit any other person to drive, a motor vehicle on a road if he is in such a position that he cannot have proper control of the vehicle or have a full view of the road and traffic ahead.” Audi did announce plans to launch the car in the UK last year but at the moment legislation is yet to catch up.

Level 4 – High Automation – At this level, the vehicle is capable of much of the steering, braking, accelerating, monitoring the road and responding to situations, on its own. At this point the autonomous driving system would alert the driver when it is safe to switch the vehicle into this mode though the technology still struggles with dynamic driving situations such as traffic jams or merging in the road.

Level 5 – Full Automation – It is believed these cars won’t have steering wheels or acceleration and braking pedals. They will be free from geofencing and the driver simply inputs the destination and leaves the system to go. (Geofencing is a GPS system limiting the movement of Level 5 autonomous vehicles to certain areas).

This technological advancement is very exciting and could possibly make our roads much safer, especially as it is estimated that 96% of all traffic incidents are attributed to some form of human error.

However, are you preparing your students to the reality they could be sharing the road with more advanced vehicles? Also, these vehicles could make faster and better decisions than they could? The main issue with this technology at the moment is its ability to predict the unpredictable factors i.e. us, but if our students will be sharing the roads with these types of cars, have we taught them that we will need to change our driving attitudes in order to be safer for autonomous vehicles? Is it even possible that a child born in 2020 may never need to drive? Only time will tell.

4Wheelz is a driving school operating as franchises throughout the West Midlands. If you would like to become a driving instructor, then you can find out more about our excellent training program here. Alternatively, if you would like to join us as an instructor from another driving school (or maybe you were operating independently) then click here to find out more about our franchise.

Last week we dissected the ADI part 2 so today we are going to look at part 3 of the official DVSA guide on how to become a driving instructor.  We advise that you use all 3 posts because they are really useful resources. They will also give you an idea of what you should expect during your examination.

You will need to make sure that your L plates are fitted to the vehicle when you arrive at the test centre for your part 3 examination. Your car must also have the right insurance because  the examiner will be driving it on this occasion.

If it isn’t insured for the examiner to be able to drive it, then the test will not go ahead and you will lose your fee.

The exam is split into 2 phases, the first phase will either be at the beginner stage or at the partly trained stage. It is really important that you listen to the examiner because  he will set the scene assigning the level and describing the subject matter you are expected to teach.

You need to observe the pupil (examiner) throughout the phase and identify any faults that occur at the earliest opportunity. This is so that you can provide a suitable solution.

Analytical information as to reasons the fault had a occurred should be given to the pupil (examiner) as early as possible.

If you are identifying these areas at the right time and providing the necessary solutions then there should be no reason why your not be successful.

After about 28 – 30 minutes the examiner will close down that phase and start to prepare you for the second phase.
This will either be a pupil at the trained stage or full licence holder stage.

John Seridan ADI examiner advises:

“It is extremely important that you pay particular attention to everything that the examiner is saying to you. Because he will set the scene he will paint a picture of the level. He will tell you the subject matter that he or she will be expecting you to teach and that is extremely important.”
“Now I know you will know that he or she is the examiner but you will need to do is detach yourself from that and treat them as a real pupil.”

The main reason for why people fail the part 3 examination is noncompliance with the core competencies.

The identification, in particular, is extremely important, because you need to identify the fault at the earliest opportunity to enable you to pitch your level of instructions appropriately, and provide a necessary solution to that fault.

After you have provided a solution, at the earliest you need to explain why that fault occurred.

If you have a asked a question you need to analysis the answer that you received and then ask yourself several questions.

Is the answer correct , has he provided an answer to the question that you have asked, do you need to offer any instructions related to the answer that has been given.

Remember this is also your role as a driving instructor.

A common area during the part 3 exam where trainees tend to struggle revolves around pitching the level of instructions appropriately. Candidates will either over instruct or under instruct.

Procedurally, a pupil will need to be applying the mirror signal and speed look routine. This is what you will need to instruct.

A typical example of this is when a pupil selects the wrong gear on the approach to a left turn which results in a loss of control of the vehicle.

A typical example of this is when a pupil selects the wrong gear on the approach to a left turn which results in a loss of control of the vehicle.

Another example of this is where a candidate is approaching a right turn applying the MSPSL routine but cancels the signal before they make the turn. This could result in inconveniencing other road users.

ADI examiner finishes with:

“At the end of the test the examiner will tell you that the test has ended. At this point, they will need to return to the test center to complete the necessary paperwork and most importantly to complete the assessment.”

John Seridan ADI examiner

“At the end of the test the examiner will tell you that the test has ended. At this point, they will need to return to the test center to complete the necessary paperwork and most importantly to complete the assessment.”

After about 10 minutes the examiner will return. It might be a good idea to invite your instructor to listen in to any debrief.

If you have prepared properly for the examination then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be successful.

Find out more about our ADI part 3 training course.

Our driving instructor franchise opportunities are perfect for once you’ve passed part 3 of your ADI exams and are ready to start earning money as a fully qualified driving instructor.

Last week we dissect the ADI part 1 section of the test, so now it’s time to look at the ADI part 2, the official DVSA guide to your driving ability test. Study the information provided and comment if you have any questions.

It is important that you arrive at the test center with all the relevant documentation. We suggest that you are nice and early to help alleviate any tension you might be feeling before the test.

As you walk out of the test centre the examiner will ask you to identify your vehicle and read the number plate so that they can test your eyesight.

The eyesight test for your ADI exam is at a considerably longer distant to that of an L test at approximately 27.5 metres.

Next comes the  show me tell me questions which are in combinations of 5 and consist of questions inside and outside your vehicle.

This part of the test gives you the opportunity to demonstration your knowledge verbally of mechanical and motoring matters.  Your driving instructor training should have prepared you well in advance for this part of the test.

ADI Examiner John Sheridan explains:

“Well, when you get into the car there will be all sorts of thing whizzing through your mind. All those purley words of wisdom  that your trainer has been feeding to you over  previous months and I would suggest that it is extremely important that you listen to the examiner is saying to you in the initial brief.”

He also goes on to say:
“I am expecting the candidate to show excellent perception and awareness skills, so we are looking at good forward planning, I am looking to see that the candidate is forward  planning is such a way that they are anticipating any potential danger and reacting appropriately and accordingly and that also incompasses the application of the mspsl routine.  If I was to give you any advice it would be to approach it confidently, it is about you being given that opportunity to demonstrate that you can drive safely for a  longer period of time.”     

Before you need to perform the emergency stop procedure your examiner will give you a clear idea of what you need to expect.
When your ADI examiner gives you the signal it is important that you act quickly and safely and keep the car under full control.

For the left reverse maneuver your car should be pulled up on the road before your examiner requests for you to reverses into.

This is so you can prepare yourself of the maneuver

When you carry out the maneuver you need to demonstrate good coordination of control skills, excellent observation skills and also demonstrate that you can complete the maneuver accurately.  

For the right reverse, the same skills are necessary but the position of the vehicle will be different from that of the left reverse.

This means your observations skills need to be considerably sharper.

The turn in the road is a maneuver that is carried out very regularly. You will need to complete the maneuver as quickly and safely as possible and at all times remain aware of any pedestrians  or any vehicle activity within the area.

When you carry out the maneuver you need to demonstrate good coordination of control skills, excellent observation skills and also demonstrate that you can complete the maneuver accurately.  

For the right reverse the same skills are necessary but the position of the vehicle will be different from that of the left reverse.

This means your observations skills need to be considerably sharper.   

The turn in the road is a maneuver that is carried out very regularly. You will need to complete the maneuver as quickly and safely as possible and at all times remain aware of any pedestrians  or any vehicle activity within the area.

The most common reasons for failure on part 2 are observational weaknesses on the maneuver. Poor planning skills on the approach to hazards and not applying the MSPSL routine correctly on an approach to a hazard.

You are only able to commit a maximum of  6 driver faults to pass. Obviously, the fewer faults you commit the better, any serious or dangerous faults will also result in a failure.  

You will then have the opportunity for a debriefing on any of the faults you have committed during the drive, you may consider inviting your trainer to listen in.

John Sheridan final thoughts are:

“If you prepare adequately with your trainer, get enough practice in, listen to what’s been said and put that theory into practice there is no reason why you should fail.”  

Once you have passed part 1 and part 2, you can apply for a trainee licence to help you gain experience instructing pupils to drive.  

This license allows you be legally paid for giving driving instructions. The trainee license last 6 months.

Below is the full video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jfef9d-K5k&nohtml5=False

Today we dissect the official DVSA guide to taking your ADI part 1, which is the theory test. It is important to read up on as much information as possible so that you reduce the chance of failing and slowing down your progress. This information is really useful for anybody who has started there ADI training or somebody who is thinking about becoming a qualified driving instructor.

This information is really useful for anybody who has started there ADI training or somebody who is thinking about becoming a qualified driving instructor.

There are 3 parts to the ADI qualification:-

A computer based theory test

A practical test of your driving ability

A practical test of ability to instruct learners

In order to become a fully qualified driving instructor, you must complete each part in this order.

Once you have passed your theory test you have 2 years to complete the other 2 sections. If you fail to complete the other 2 sections within this period you will have to start over from the beginning passing each exam again.  

You are allowed to take the ADI theory test as many times as you like, however, you only get a maximum of 3 attempts for each of the practical tests within the 2 year qualification period.  

The DVLA recommends that you complete your driving instructor training with an organisation like 4 Wheelz that specialises in this type of training.

This is because the qualifying process is not easy and the pass rates are low.

You must be prepared to have an advance level criminal records check. You will not be able to take your ADI theory test until you have permission from the ADI register.  

On the day of your driving instructor theory test, you must follow the advice on the letter of appointment, and arrive at your allocated test centre in plenty of time. Being early for your test will help you stay calm and focused.

You must make sure that you have all the relevant documentation with you. From the 8th of June 2015, you will only need to bring your photocard licence.

Please be aware that If you do not bring the correct documentation your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee.

The ADI theory test for a prospective driving instructor requires a much more comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of that expected of a learner driver.

The test is carried out in 2 parts:-

A multiple choice theory test

A hazard perception test

You need to pass both parts in order to progress to the next stage of your instructor training.

Before your test begins you will be given instructions on how you must proceed. You also have the option of working through a 15-minute practice session to get used to the system.

For the multiple choice driving instructor theory test, you have up to 90 minutes to answer 100 questions covering a variety of different topics. 

This includes the following:-

• Road procedures
• Traffic signs and signals
• Car control
• Pedestrians
• Mechanical knowledge
• The driving test requirements
• Disabilities
• Laws relating to driving and instruction technique

The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the driving instructor theory test is 85%, which is 85 questions answered correctly. However, you must reach a minimum of 80% in each of the 4 bands.

Once you have completed the multiple-choice section of the test you are able to take a 3-minute break before  the hazard perception part begins.

The hazard perception test lasts for about 20mins

You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips that feature recordings of everyday road scene.

In each of the 14 clips, there will be at least one scorable developing hazard, one of the clips will feature 2 scorable developing hazard.

The achieve points on this test you will need to to identify each of the scorable developing hazards at the earliest opportunity.   

The maximum you can score on each of the developing hazards is 5 points.  

The pass mark for the hazard perception is 57 out 75.

At the end of both tests, you will be given your results. You will be issued with a letter if you have successfully passed. If you have unfortunately failed you can immediately apply to take the test again.  

However if you prepare properly by studying all of the course material then there should be no reason why you shouldn’t pass first time.  

To view the full video of the official DVSA part 1 theory test guide, please see below:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldL-Mdkp-aE