Driving examiner strikes: candidates urged to attend tests
Candidates with tests on 2 dates in February and March should still come for their test despite the threat of strike action by examiners.
Over half of UK young drivers cannot change a tyre
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
Over half of young drivers cannot change a car tyre according to a survey from Intelligent Car Leasing.
The survey found that 54.5% of young people in the 18-24 age bracket did not how to change a car tyre.
Within the age group, 57.1% of young males claimed they could replace a tyre while only 34% of females said the same.
Survey participants claimed a variety of reasons for their lack of knowledge from breakdown cover and run-flat tyres to saying that as a tyre change isn't a requirement for the driving test, they didn’t bother to learn how to do it.
Intelligent Car Leasing said that young people were often given a hard time from older generations for being lazy, impractical and not as outgoing as they should be.
It added: “The results of this survey might go some way to backing up these arguments; as it seems the majority of young drivers are operating without basic motoring skills in the event of a flat.”
DVS clarifies speed limits guidance for test examiners
Thursday, 29 May 2014
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued guidance to test examiners to make it clear that test candidates would not be penalised for driving below the speed limit.
Responding to fear that examiners could potentially penalise test candidates where they respond to the road environment by slowing down – 20mph in a 30 for example – the DVSA clarified to make it clearer that the speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed.
Speaking to driving.org, a spokesman said that the amended guidance reflected the advice already given to examiners by the DVSA during training.
He continued: “Examiners are well aware that the speed limit is not a target and that candidates will sometimes need to drive well below the speed limit. If this is appropriate for the road or traffic conditions it would clearly not be considered as a fault on the driving test.”
Road safety charity Brake, which had initially raised concerns, welcomed the clarification.
Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: " There is a growing consensus that 20mph is the most appropriate top speed to protect people on foot and bike in built-up areas. It is critical that drivers learn right from the start of their driving careers that speed limits are limits, not targets, and that slowing down is one of the most important things they can do to safeguard others.”
The update has been sent to examiners and will be available on the gov.uk site in due course.
More than three-quarters of drivers would fail their test
Friday, 30 May 2014
More than three quarters of experienced motorists would fail their driving test if they took their test today a study has claimed.
The study, by Direct Line Car Insurance, found that 76% of drivers who failed a mock driving test recorded on average three serious or dangerous (major) faults, with one participant receiving 10 major faults.
The mock tests, which were conducted by Red driving instructors in eight locations around the country, also found that the average number of minor faults recorded by those who failed was 16, with one driver receiving 42 minors.
Rob Miles, director of Motor at Direct Line, commented: “While drivers gain experience with age, it’s easy to pick up bad habits that could be potentially dangerous and put other road users at risk.“
Further research by Direct Line found that more than two thirds of UK drivers (68%) rely on driving aids behind the wheel, with almost half (48%) of motorists stating that they use a sat nav.
The survey also found that parking sensors were the third most commonly used driving aid, with a quarter (25%) of those surveyed saying they used parking sensors.
The insurance company said that drivers’ over-reliance on car parking sensors could also be one of the reasons why a high proportion of test participants failed due to poor observation when reverse parking.
Miles added: “Driving aids are becoming increasingly common and when used correctly, can result in a safer, more comfortable driving experience. However, it’s important that drivers don’t rely too heavily on these aids, as it can be to the detriment of both their overall ability and concentration on the road ahead.”
Young drivers 'could face passenger restrictions'
Continue reading the main story
Newly-qualified drivers could face restrictions on the passengers they can carryMinisters may consider moves to ban young drivers in England and Wales from carrying anyone except family members as passengers, reports suggest.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the Daily Telegraph he was looking at ways of reducing road deaths involving newly-qualified motorists.
Insurers believe peer pressure on young drivers can lead them to take risks.
The Department for Transport says the issue is being considered but there are "no plans" for legislation.
The Association of British Insurers says drivers aged 17-24 are responsible for a disproportionately high number of crashes.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is urging all driving test candidates booked to take a test on the afternoon of Friday 13 July 2012 to attend as usual despite the potential for strike action by driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.
The DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said:
“Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we can’t be sure that they’ll support the strike. So we’re asking candidates to come for their test as normal so it can go ahead if possible.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers.”
Candidates who turn up but can’t take their tests because of strike action will not have to contact the DSA to rebook. They should hear from the agency with a new date within five to ten working days.
If candidates fail to attend they won’t be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses if their tests are cancelled and they’ll need to rebook their own tests.
Theory tests are not affected and will be taking place as planned.
Halfords set to host driving tests
Universities and leisure centres may also host driving testsTransport minister Mike Penning told MPs the aim was to provide a "more local service for candidates".
Tests will continue to be carried out by Driving Standards Agency examiners and the deals are not exclusive.
Cheshire-based Mantra Learning and "several universities" are also in the running to host tests, he said.
Mr Penning said in a written parliamentary statement there had been "real progress" with Halfords and Mantra.
"Subject to working agreements being finalised and suitable premises with driving test routes being identified, driving tests should be delivered... from premises of these organisations in the near future," he added.
"Local agreements with the Fire and Rescue Service, particularly in areas not otherwise covered, are also being explored and there have also been discussions with several universities."
Mr Penning said it was "a great example of how working with partners in the public and private sectors can help to ensure that we offer people the best possible service wherever they live".
Initially the tests will take place in parts of Glasgow, Kettering, Manchester, Watford and Worcestershire, starting this autumn at the earliest.
These arrangements will apply for practical driving tests, not other types of test or the theory test.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) wants you to have a look at samples of new hazard perception clips that have been computer generated. It means DSA can introduce hazards that would be hard to film safely – particularly those involving vulnerable road usersThe current clips were created by filming developing hazards in a variety of road and traffic situations using a specially adapted car with a camera. The hazards in them are still relevant, but the image quality is not as clear or defined as is available today.The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) have confirmed that they are in the process of updating the clips in the Hazard Perception Test, with the aim of introducing them into the test by the end of 2013.
Government announces new powers to protect learners
Monday, 25 June 2012
Driving instructors who are considered to pose a significant threat to public safety will now face immediate suspension under new legislation put forward in Parliament yesterday.
Under the current legislation, it takes a minimum of 45 days to prevent an instructor from continuing to give paid driving instruction. However, from 13 July, the registrar of approved driving instructors will have the power to immediately suspend the registration or trainee licence of an instructor who presents a significant danger to the safety of the public.
Road safety minister Mike Penning said: “Driving instructors play a vital role in helping to ensure Britain’s roads remain among the safest in the world.
“The vast majority of instructors meet the extremely high standards we require of them, but in the very rare cases where an instructor presents a significant danger to the public, it is right that we take prompt and effective action to protect learners and other road users.”
The registrar is likely to exercise the suspension power in cases where instructors have been convicted of a violent or sexual offence, or are delivering tuition of a dangerously low standard, while the formal removal or revocation processes are being completed.
Instructors retain the right of appeal against a decision to remove them from the register of approved driving instructors or to revoke their trainee licence. The instructor will be able to apply for compensation in respect of the period of suspension if they are not subsequently removed from the register.
Coventry city centre becomes 20mph zone
Friday, 29 June 2012
From the Coventry Telegraph
COVENTRY city centre has this week become a 20mph zone – making it one of the first UK cities to do so.
As part of the new changes signs will go up at 13 “gateways” into the city to warn motorists.
The new speed limit will cover the entire area within the ring road and has been introduced alongside features such as the removal of traffic lights, 15 new zebra crossings, red “shared space” junctions and widened pavements which council officers say will make the city centre a “low-speed, pedestrian-friendly and more pleasant environment”.
Coun Lindsley Harvard, cabinet member for city services, said: “We are working hard to create a city centre that is more attractive and more pedestrian-friendly.
“Speeds are already low in the city centre and formalising the reduced speed zone for the area within the ring road is an important part of our plan to improve the city centre experience for everyone.”
The new zone is said to be the first of its kind in the UK covering an entire city centre.
It is the first to change road layouts and pavements to reduce speeds rather than relying on traditional road humps.
Coun Harvard added: “This is the next stage in the transformation of the city centre and by marking the zone as people enter the city centre we will remove all the unnecessary signs and road markings – making the city centre look better.”
Sue Senior, aged 65, of Baginton Road, Styvechale, agreed with the changes.
“Anything that slows down traffic in the city centre is a good idea, otherwise motorists don’t slow down of their own free will,” she said.
Sharing the same view was Michael Buxton, 57, of Midland Road, Stockingford, Nuneaton, who said: “There’s a lot of cars that use the city so I think 20mph is a good speed.
A 20mph zone is unusual for a big city like this but it is quite sensible.
“Keeping traffic out of the city altogether, except for buses, taxis and emergency vehicles, and pedestrianising the entire area would be better I think.”
Melanie Goodling, 42, of Fillongley, who works in the city centre close to one of the new road junctions, added: “There is nothing wrong with the 20mph zone.
“Reducing the speed of vehicles makes sense but I think some of the new junctions are not in the right place so they are causing more traffic, near-misses and accidents.”
Edward Turrall, aged 19 of Binley Road, Binley, had a different view.
He said: “I don’t think the 20mph zone is going to achieve anything.
"Everyone will still drive at 30mph around the city centre and it won’t stop accidents at all.”