The latest meeting between the National Associations Strategic Partnership (formed of the three main industry associations) and DVSA took place in Bristol on 7th February.
Topics for discussion included test waiting times, efficacy of ORDIT and ORDIT processes, ADI standards , the development of more flexible driving test delivery and driving test and fraud.
NASP raised specific concern regarding the continuing issue of test waiting times. DIA has for some time been asking the agency to develop a ‘heat map’, or at least some regular update on test availability and waiting times across the U.K. and by test centre, so trainers can better monitor, evaluate and plan.
DIA CEO Carly Brookfield also tackled the agency on its recent letter from the DVSA CEO which focused on DVSA successes, sent at a time when the audience (the letter was intended for) does not necessarily feel the agency is achieving in areas which matter to trainers.
Carly commented, “Aside from the letter to ADIs (with this letter in itself being a good example of the issue of communication), we fedback the overall frustration members have over the lack of regular communications from the agency which acknowledge the issues the industry faces and updates trainers on efforts to tackle, and which provides members with useful data on test availability etc. The lack of what trainers would deem as helpful communications is set against the multitude of communications we do get which are more about what the regulator wants to PR, rather than being about what stakeholders need to hear. We hope the agency takes this feedback on board as it’s a crucial factor in stakeholder relations with the industry.”
8 thoughts on “Report of joint meeting with DVSA held on 7 February 2023”
I live and teach in Monmouth, my pupils have to take there test In Abergavenny as there are no tests in Monmouth until July. This is a 20 minute drive there and back, 40 minutes out there 2hr lessons, DVSA should be looking at more examiners in test centres like Monmouth, it’s taking them years to recover from the pandemic shut down while the rest of the country is up and running long ago.
Quite true the fact that Tests are hard to come by. Packing it all in and finding another job. Uk plc not working I’m afraid despite all the spin. If you try and sugar coat everything it’s just going to frustrate ADI’s even more!
This email is also typical of how the “people” in offices have no idea about the real world. The email mentions ADI Standards, but in the “read more” there is absolutely no further mention or info. WASTE OF SPACE. ….. and money. What do ADI’s get fromyour salary ….. answer …. apart from regulations …. zip.
Just looks like another load of pointless waffle to me, the DVSA are not fit for purpose and in my opinion it’s about time this was put out to tender in the private sector. Whilst they have the monopoly there is no incentive to improve. The only part they are efficient at is taking the money for tests and green badge. As for NASP you just seem to be the mouth piece for the DVSA especially the DIA.
The system for test booking is awful!
I spend every Monday from 05.55 waiting to log on at 6am.
At 6am and seven seconds I am 307 in the queue! Then, just before I complete my transaction, the system either crashes or refuses to let me continue and then refuses to let me back in. If I do manage to log back in, all tests have now gone.
Driving instructors should be given priority booking for this service, this would allow us to run our businesses more efficiently. I cannot understand why we can’t be given the first hour on a Monday for instructors to arrange their bookings before opening the system to the public. ?
reading through all this report, baffles me in this industry, the dvsa always seem to be on the backs of instructors who work hard to deliver pupils for test, i have always given mocktests from the beginning as i was trained by john farlam, but these are not proof that the candidate on the test will pass their tests.A number of factors come into consideration, other road users, nerves, incidents that they may never have experienced, the conduct of an examiners not making the pupil feel comfortable. it depends what happens on the day. Also why in this industry, are our jobs made to feel like that we are always scrutinised, when anyone over the age of 21 with 3 year full licence, no qualifications can teach anyone to drive? we are always made to feel inadequate, when its us that bring in your income, work hard and are never recognised. i do not know any other industry that as so many rules and regulations. I think its about time the dvsa/dvla started concentrating on the shocking driving of experienced drivers, who blatantly break the law, which mostly is down to inconsiderate driving to others, undue care and attention, dangerous driving and most recently jumping red lights. its alright having rules/regulations abd adding these to the highway code, but whats the point when no one is around to monitor any of these, i have even witnessed police not signalling, all of which are undue care and attention to driving…an offence. so what i am saying is , the best drivers on the road are your learners, after they have passed their tests, unfortunately after i discuss the implications of not adhering to driving properly, ( which passed them on their tests) it is totally put of our hands and experienced drivers dont help, when they are their role models,. The driving in this country is getting so dangerous and no one seems to be bothered, the law is mo deterrent, hence its a free for all, so i suggest its upto the dvsa to look at the whole picture, not just learner drivers and instructors.
100% agree with you. It’s bedlam, sometimes downright dangerous, out on the roads these days with absolutely no policing of driving standards. It seems some licenced drivers think speed limits and road markings don’t apply to them. Once the required standard of skills to pass test is reached, you get a driving licence for life without the need to maintain/improve. Should be required to renew every 5-10yrs – not with full test but even just a refresher
Until the test truly reflects how to get good drivers on the road, then pass rate swill not improve. 15 driver faults and you get a license , 1 serious and you don’t. I know who I would rather have a full licence. We need to have a lower number of faults allowed before a pass is granted, and ask questions when a really good driver makes a silly mistake. There needs to be some common sense flexibility.