The object of this test is to assess the quality of your instruction
and your ability to pass your knowledge on to pupils.
The test is in two parts, each of which lasts about half an hour.
You must pass both parts on the same test.
You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge
and ability by giving practical driving instruction to the examiner
who will first take on the role of a pupil who is a beginner,
or a learner driver with limited driving knowledge,
and then a pupil who is about test standard.
The examiner will explain everything to you at the time.
Identification
When you arrive at the test centre you will be expected
to show both parts of your photo-card licence.
If you have an old-style driving licence you must
bring the paper counterpart and a valid passport.
A trainee licence will also be accepted as proof of identity.
From 1 November 2005, no other form of photographic identification will be accepted.
Your insurance must cover, for the time during which the examiner is driving,
any liability that the examiner may have for all third party and damage
risks and for liability to any passenger, including any official passenger.
The insurance cover should not name a specific examiner as the driver because
we cannot guarantee that a particular examiner will conduct the test.
Your insurance should cover any DSA examiner.
We cannot accept responsibility for risks not covered by insurance,
including the loss of any no-claims bonus or the cost of repairing any minor damage.
If either the car itself or the insurance does not meet with these requirements,
the test will not be conducted and the fee will be forfeited.
DSA is aware that insurance companies sometimes ask for certain information about examiners.
It is the Agency’s policy for data protection and security reasons
not to disclose personal information about examiners.
However, in exceptional circumstances,
the examiner will provide you with their name and confirm that they are over 25 years old on the morning of the test,
but no further personal details will be made available.
For each of the two roles the examiner will choose one of the exercises given below as the basis of the instruction:
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safety precautions on entering the car and explanation of the controls
-
moving off and making normal stops
-
reversing and reversing into limited openings to the right or left
-
turning the vehicle round in the road to face the opposite direction, using forward and reverse gears
-
parking close to the kerb, using forward and reverse gears
-
how to make an emergency stop and practical instruction in the use of mirrors
-
approaching and turning corners
-
judgement of speed, making progress and general road positioning
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dealing with road junctions
-
dealing with crossroads
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dealing with pedestrian crossings and giving correct signals in a clear and unmistakable manner
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overtaking, meeting and crossing the path of other road users, allowing adequate clearance
The instruction you give should be tailored to the time available
and to the standard of the ‘pupil’ being role-played by the examiner.
You will probably find it helpful to establish the depth of the ‘pupil’s’ knowledge in each phase,
by asking questions and observing the ‘pupil’s’ performance as you would with a real pupil you had not taught before.
In assessing your performance, the examiner will take into account:
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the method, clarity, adequacy and correctness of instruction given
-
the observation, analysis and correction of faults committed by the pupil
-
your general manner
You will be expected to maintain control of the lesson,
be patient and tactful and give encouragement to the ‘pupil’ at all times.
What is assessed is the relevance of the instruction for the ability of the pupil
and to the particular conditions on the road on the day of the test.
