Driving Test Examiners

Driving Examiner When it comes to taking the driving test, many learner drivers fear the driving examiner. Generally it is a misconception that driving examiners are rude or mean to the learner. Part of the training process for examiners set out by the DSA is to deal with the public and driving test candidates in an appropriate manner - being polite, clear and professional at all times. You will of course find rude individuals within all industry sectors, driving examiners being no exception. We'll take a look at the role of the examiner, are examiners friendly and do they actually deliberately fail you.

Role of the driving test examiner A full time examiner will work from 8.30am to 4.30pm five days a week. Certain examiner may work Saturdays if the work is available and in the summer months, they may finish later if they wish. A typical day will consist of 7 driving tests. each lasting an average of 40 minutes. A driving examiner is trained to assess a learners ability to drive safely in a variety of conditions and the results of which are marked on thedriving test report. A typical driving test will involve the examiner:

• introducing themselves to the learner and asking them to sign the car insurance declaration from
• conducting an eye test
• choosing a combination of the Show Me Tell Me questions to ask the learner
• assess the learners ability at independent driving
• requesting a manoeuvre
• possibly requesting an emergency stop (every one in three tests conducted)
• assessing the learners ability to drive safely, keep good control and take effective observation within a wide variety of road types, systems and conditions

Although an examiner has a general set of rules they must abide by for passing or failing a driving test, they can use their discretion in certain situations. Driving through a red light for example during a test is a failure and nothing can be done to change the outcome. Although if for example a learner was to hit the curb whilst parking up, a good examiner will request that the learner parks up a little more than usual to establish if hitting the curb is a frequent mistake or a one-off.

Are driving examiners friendly

Many years ago the role of the driving test examiner was often filled by retired policemen. Along with this came the rather stern and cold attitude that many of the police seem to have. Things however have changed and anyone that has held a UK or EU driving licence continuously for a minimum of four years and has no more than three penalty points can apply to be a driving test examiner.

Part of the four week driving examiner training course set out by the DSA is customer focus. The majority of test candidates are going to be nervous and during the test may be come stressed and unpredictable. At the end of the test, if they have failed candidates on occasions get angry. An examiner has to be able to deal with these situations in a professional manner and to calm the situation. We do of course hear of many complaining that the examiner was rude or mean to them or generally being cold or impolite. A driving examiners job may become monotonous and perhaps boring after a time which for some, may lead to a less than friendly approach. Many examiners also try to remain impartial to a candidate rather than strike up too much of a friendship as this will be easier if there's bad new at the end of the test. The role of an examiner can of course be stressful too. Being subjected to lethal driving of learners who are in no way up to test standard, combined with no law making it mandatory for candidates having to take a driving test in a vehicle fitted with dual controls. It would I'm sure make sense for such a law to exist and also that a certain amount of professional driving lessons should be taken before sitting the driving test. Although it must all too easy to become impatient with a learner driver who appears to have no idea what they are doing, there is a fine line between being rude and overly stern Do driving examiners have a quota There are around 380 driving test centres spread throughout major towns and cities in the UK. From over 2000 driving test examiners, the number allocated to each test centre depends on how many driving tests are conducted each year at a particular centre. Each driving test centre has its own pass rates which are generally related to the area the test centre is located in. An area featuring complex roads and traffic systems along with a high density of traffic will generally have poorer driving test pass rates than a test centre located in a rural area. Although the DSA state that they do not have a set quota for each test centre, they do measure pass rate statistics for each driving examiner and compare those statistics to examiners who are assigned to the same test centre. Each examiner must stay within 10% of the overall test centre pass rate or the DSA may investigate the examiner who deviates outside of this 10%. This may force examiners to fail a driving test that they may normally pass, or worse still in terms of road safety, pass a candidate even though they should have failed so as to keep within this 10% threshold. Many driving instructors get asked 'Do driving examiners deliberately fail you?' The answer may well be yes so as to keep them flying under the DSA investigation radar. They may of course deliberately pass you too. Driving test appeal The majority of driving test examiners are polite and conduct driving tests in a appropriate manner expected by the DSA and by test candidates. If you feel that your driving test was conducted inappropriately, you may make a complaint against the driving examiner to the DSA and appeal the driving test results. The first stage of a driving test appeal is to contact the DSA on 0300 200 1122. Ensure you have at hand your driving licence number, practical test booking reference number and if applicable, your theory test pass certificate number. The DSA will also like to know the type of test you have taken, the date, time, place and the reason for complaint. It is highly unlikely the DSA will overturn the decision of the examiner. Essentially, it is your word against the examiners. To help minimise the risk of inappropriate behaviour of a driving examiner, consider taking along your driving instructor, friend or family member on your driving test. Driving examiner strikes In the event of any striking action taking by DSA examiners, there is still a possibility that your driving test may go ahead as the DSA often draught in extra examiners and not all examiners are striking. If you do have concerns about your test taking place, ensure you cancel or reschedule the driving test by providing a minimum of 3 working days’ notice. (Saturdays included as a working day but not public holidays). By doing so, you will retain your test booking fee. If you turn up for your driving test and the test centre is unable to conduct your test, the DSA will reschedule the test for you and you may also be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses. See here for further details. www.travis-drive.co.uk