VEHICLE CHECKS

DVSA Vehicle safety checks

 

country side Norwich - rural Norfolk

Updates and vehicle safety checks.

News news from the DVSA and vehicle checks.

Driving tests pass rates

The National Pass Rate has dropped recently - there will be various reasons for this. My own observations from the test centre I use in Norwich is that there are more people coming from other parts of the UK in their own vehicles. People seem to be more desperate to get tests and perhaps some are more willing to just have a go to see if they can pass.
Qualified driving instructors - ADI's - are less likely to take this approach due to DVSA ongoing monitoring. All instructors test results are recorded by the DVSA and if they are below a certain standard the instructor will be asked to attend an assessment session. Not good.

Using SatNav as part of the driving test

Although many people taking lessons know this is now part of the test there are still quite a few who don't. So to clarify - roughly only one in three tests don't use SatNav. The ones who don't use SatNav follow route directions for around 10 to 15 minutes.
If the examiner is using SatNav on the test then this also lasts around 10 to 15 minutes. The examiner will bring their own SatNav with the pre-planned route already running. After the SatNav finishes - the SatNav says 'You have reached your destination' and the examiner then says 'I'll give you directions for the rest of the drive' - or similar.
Worth mentioning that if someone goes the wrong way on the test it is not necessarily a fault - as long as it is done safely.

Car questions on the test.

There will be two parts to this. One question in the car park before heading off. It is a minor fault to get an answer wrong. There are various reasons why someone might not be able to answer correctly - the examiner would take this into account. The examiner will also ask someone to operate a control whilst driving - like cleaning the front or rear window. The reason for operating something on the move is to check coordination.

The questions

I always go through the questions asked and what they might be asked to do on the drive. To make this easier I've written them down in the Checks Section to help.

Below to book or change a driving test.
Currently I ask my students to book their own tests using the 'Driving Test Cancellation Now' App. This has been used successfully by a number of my students. Click link - Link To App

Useful DVSA driving links...

Apply for a provisional licence:
Book a Theory Test:
Book a Driving Test:
Change Theory Test Date:
Change Driving Test Date: