From 01 July 2008, six additional "Show-Me-Tell-Me" questions will be introduced to the Practical Driving Test.
The 13 current questions remain and test candidates will still only be asked 2 out of the 19 questions.
The additional questions are as follows;"Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers
Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens
Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle)
Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash
Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car
Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system"Full details of the existing and additional Vehicle Safety Questions can be found at the Driving Standards Agency website as follows;Vehicle Safety Questions
The DSA Business Plan 2008/2009 has outlined proposals to increase the Practical driving test fee for cars to £64.00 (daytimes)/£76.00 (evenings & weekends) in 2009.See my previous blog entries for my thoughts on the massive price hikes in the cost of driving tests since 2007 already...I cannot comment further at this stage...for once in my life, words completely fail me :(
On 26 February 2008, the BBC programme "The One Show" highlighted the fact that there is a growing problem with unlicenced instructors giving driving tuition illegally. These instructors are more often than not, untrained and their vehicles are frequently uninsured for the purposes of driving tuition which could mean serious consequences in the event of an accident...
To read a synopsis of the programme and to see an online video of the report featured on the show please click the following link - BBC - The One Show - Driving Instructors.
A driving instructor MUST have their name entered on the register of driving instructors held by the Driving Standards Agency. It is illegal for anyone other than a DSA licenced driving instructor to give driving instruction in exchange for money.
A fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) must display their licence
(green octagon) on the windscreen of his/her tuition vehicle at all times when giving driving tuition in exchange for payment.
If the instructor is a trainee (Potential Driving Instructor/PDI), they must display their licence (pink triangle) on the windscreen of his/her tuition vehicle at all times when giving driving tuition in exchange for payment.
IF THERE'S NO LICENCE DISPLAYED ASK TO SEE IT - the instructor may simply have forgotten to stick it back on the windscreen after washing the car...or it may mean that the person you are paying to teach you is acting illegally...
You can check if someone offering driving tuition is registered at the ADI branch of the Driving Standards Agency:
Email: ADIReg@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
Phone: 0115 901 2618
On 01 April 2008 in what appears to be a rather unfunny April Fool's Day joke, the cost of a provisional driving licence and the fees for both the Theory and Practical tests increased.The cost of a provisional driving licence is now £50.00. This time last year it was £38.00. It went up to £45.00 in May 2007. An increase of 31.5% in a year.The Theory Test fee is now £30.00. This time last year it was £21.50. It increased to £28.50 in September 2007. An increase of 39.5% in a year.The Practical Test fee for cars is now £56.50 (daytimes) / £67.00 (evenings & weekends). Prior to 01 April it was £48.50 (daytimes) / £58.00 (evenings & weekends). An increase of 16.5%/15.5% in a year.Massive increases...well above the rate of inflation (around 2.5%), but the customer has no alternative but to pay if they want to drive legally.Value for money? Has the service improved?How are increases of this size justified?Beats me...
