Author: Nick Zapettis

End of the vehicle tax disc

Posted on by Nick Zapettis

As of October 1st 2014 the DVLA is allowing motorists to pay their vehicle tax payments annually, biannually or monthly, and pay by direct debit. This is to help assist with the government’s 2014 law change to reduce the hassle that comes with vehicle tax.

Another new change happening this year is the loss of the paper tax disc. You will no longer need to keep a paper tax disc as proof of payment. The vehicle tax will still need to be paid, but as of October 1st 2014 the DVLA will be changing to a digital system to keep track of who has and hasn’t paid, so the tax disc that’s been displayed for so long at the bottom left of your windscreen “will be no more”!

Government moves to reduce the cost of driving

Posted on by Nick Zapettis

There has been an announcement from the government to say they are now taking extra measures to help cut the cost of running a car, including efforts to reduce whiplash fraud and a freeze on the cost of a vehicle MOT and review of the price of a driving test price.

Also included in the announcement is  a scheme designed to reduce the cost of fuel at motorway service stations, which for many years has been a source of controversy with many motorists who believe they get stung in what is effectively a monopolistic situation.

No more foreign language driving tests

Posted on by Nick Zapettis

Currently, people are able to take their car and motorcycle theory tests with a voiceover in one of 19 foreign languages, and use interpreters on both theory and practical tests.

However, following a public consolation, the UK’s Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill made an announcement in October that, as of April 7th 2014, test candidates will need to have a good understanding of the English or Welsh language as there will no longer be voiceovers or interpreters allowed in other languages during driving tests.

Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

“We want to make sure that all drivers have the right skills to use our roads safely and responsibly. One area where we can help ensure this is by requiring all test candidates to take the test in English or Welsh, the national languages.

This will help to ensure that all new drivers will be able to understand traffic updates or emergency information when they pass their test. It will also help us to reduce the risk of fraud by stopping interpreters from indicating the correct answers to theory test questions.”

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) consulted earlier this year on a series of proposals reviewing the level of foreign language support available to candidates. This was because of concerns about potential road safety and the risk of fraud, as well as the ongoing cost of providing translations.

Almost 2,000 people had their say on the proposals with more than 70% of the people who responded supported the withdrawal of foreign language voiceovers and interpreters on tests. Many people agreed that a lack of understanding of the national language meant that some drivers may not be able to understand traffic signs, or speak with traffic enforcement officers as well as finding it difficult to read details of the rules of the road.

In addition, there was also support for encouraging candidates to learn the national language to improve social cohesion.

You can read the full report on the consultation.

Candidates with special needs

Candidates with dyslexia or other reading difficulties will still be able to take their theory test with an English or Welsh language voiceover, whilst candidates who are deaf or have hearing difficulties will still be able to take their theory test in British sign language (BSL), or take a BSL interpreter with them on their practical test

Don’t be “conned” when booking your test

Posted on by Nick Zapettis

A new issue the DSA is advising new drivers about is copycat websites promising to book your driving test.

Copycat websites claim they will book your theory and practical tests for you, but add a premium charge for their service. Some also add an additional charge for ‘pass protection’, which offers you a free retest if you don’t pass first time, but with so many onerous terms and conditions that make the promise almost meaningless.

Some companies charge up to £30 on top of the test booking fee, effectively doubling the cost of a theory and adding 50% to the cost of a practical test, so it is advised that you save yourself the money and go to the Driving Standards Agency directly, where there is no fee added to the actual cost of the test.

Candidates shouldn’t need to pay any more than £31 for a theory test and £62 for a practical driving test, except where a Saturday test or an extended test is required.

Find out more about DSA’s warning to learner drivers

Revised ADI code of practice

Posted on by Nick Zapettis
A revised code of practice for approved driving instructors (ADIs) has been published.

The revised code, which is voluntary, has been drafted by some of the associations representing ADIs. It’s a framework within which all instructors should work.

Professional standards

The code has been accepted and welcomed by DSA.

Mark Magee, ADI Registrar, said:

“DSA and the driving instruction industry place great emphasis on professional standards and business ethics.

“I’m particularly pleased that the new code has been drafted by those representing ADIs. I’d encourage all ADIs to sign up to the code as a way of showing their commitment to providing a professional service to their clients.”

How to sign up to the code

You can sign up to the code using online instructor services.

You can also show your commitment to doing at least 7 hours of continuing professional development each year.

DSA has updated the online service so you can now show your commitment to both of these separately. Until now, you had to agree to both together.

These commitments are then shown to learner drivers on the ‘find your nearest driving instructor’ service on GOV.UK.

You’ll need to update your registration to show either of these commitments, even if you’ve done it before. They won’t show on the ‘find your nearest’ service until the day after you’ve updated your registration.

You’ll need to update your registration to show either of these commitments, even if you’ve done it before. They won’t show on the ‘find your nearest’ service until the day after you’ve updated your registration.

You can watch a video about logging in to online services if you need any help.

Review of the ADI qualification and registration process

Posted on by Nick Zapettis
A consultation on the way that people qualify as ADIs and the arrangements for their registration has been launched.

The consultation, which runs until 8 August 2013, includes a range of proposals to modernise the way in which people qualify to become ADIs.

Options for change

The consultation sets out 3 options for changing the qualification process:

  • replace the 3 qualifying tests with a vocational qualification
  • improve the current tests
  • replace the trainee licence with a requirement for PDIs to be accompanied by ADIs when delivering paid instruction

DSA would like to know what you think about these proposals and whether you think the assumptions that it’s made are correct.

Registration changes

DSA also wants to know what you think about:

  • introducing fines (called ‘civil sanctions’) that the ADI Registrar could charge an ADI if they didn’t follow a condition of their approval
  • changing the registration fees ADIs pay so that they pay for the standards check separately when they book it
  • changing the grading structure for ADIs
  • what information about ADIs it would be useful and fair for DSA to make available to the public.

New standard for developed driving competence

DSA has also published the ‘National standard for developed driving competence’. It applies to anyone who wants to show that they’ve continued to develop their driving competence after passing their driving test.

It’s expected that anyone who wants to start qualifying as an ADI should be able to meet this standard. By the time they’ve qualified, they must also meet the ‘National standard for driver and rider training’.

Find out more

New website to help road users improve their skills

Posted on by Nick Zapettis
A new website designed to help road users develop and improve their driving and riding skills has been launched.

Safe Driving for Life (www.safedrivingforlife.info) has been developed by DSA in partnership with its official publishers, TSO.

Interesting and interactive material

The website is a one-stop information resource which will be rolled out in 4 phases. It will hold useful, interesting and interactive material for:

  • learners
  • experienced drivers and riders
  • instructors
  • professional drivers and riders

Phase 1 includes:

  • the learners’ section
  • Safe Driving for Life shop
  • practice theory tests for car, motorbike, LGV and PCV
  • a suitability tool for people to test whether they’re cut out to be an ADI

Developing the site

The remaining 3 phases will all be launched by this August 2013, but we’ll continue to develop the website beyond that, according to our users’ needs and interests.

If you’d like to contribute to this development you can either click on the ‘feedback’ button at the bottom of the website or contact DSA’s publishing manager, Sarah Scott, by emailing sarah.scott@dsa.gsi.gov.uk.

Extra information and advice

GOV.UK remains the official website for all government services and information about learning to drive.

Safe Driving for Life provides extra information and advice beyond what’s published on GOV.UK.

 

DSA and VOSA to merge

Posted on by Nick Zapettis
DSA and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are to merge into a single agency which will bring together their testing and standards services.

Rosemary Thew, DSA Chief Executive, has also announced that she will be stepping down and leaving the Civil Service on 30 June 2013.

Alastair Peoples, VOSA Chief Executive, will become joint Chief Executive for the 2 agencies and will oversee their strategic operations towards a full merger over the next year.

Rosemary Thew said:

“I’ve been considering moving on for some time, for private and personal reasons. The creation of a single agency replacing DSA and VOSA seems the right time for me to do so.

“I’m confident that the team here at DSA under Alastair’s leadership will continue to offer our customers the very best service they can as the merger proceeds and the combined agency emerges.”

No impact on our services

The changes won’t impact on:

  • the services you use that are provided by DSA and VOSA, eg driving tests
  • progress of other ongoing reform programmes

Better and more convenient services

The reforms are an outcome of the recent motoring services strategy consultation. They’re designed to offer motorists and businesses better and more convenient services, while making sure that road safety and first class customer service remain a top priority.

New penalties to tackle tailgating and middle lane hogging

Posted on by Nick Zapettis
Careless drivers who put other road users at risk face on-the-spot penalties under new measures announced by Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond.

The changes will give the police powers to issue fixed penalty notices for careless driving, giving them greater flexibility in dealing with less serious careless driving offences – such as tailgating or middle lane hogging – and freeing them from resource-intensive court processes.

The fixed penalty will also enable the police to offer educational training as an alternative to endorsement. Drivers will still be able to appeal any decision in court.

Existing fixed penalty levels rising to £100

In addition, existing fixed penalty levels for most motoring offences – including using a mobile phone at the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt – will rise to £100 to bring them into line with the penalties for similar non-motoring fixed penalties.

Official publication for new driving instructors

Posted on by Nick Zapettis
DSA has launched a new DVD-ROM to help people preparing to qualify as an approved driving instructor (ADI).
The official DSA theory test for approved driving instructors’ includes hundreds of official theory test revision questions similar to those used in the ADI part 1 test, including case studies and references to the source material.It also includes:

  • advice on all 3 ADI qualifying tests
  • information about trainee licences and registration
  • tips on how to plan and develop your career
  • information about professional development
  • The Official Highway Code in digital format

Learn the theory behind driving instruction

Mark Magee, ADI Registrar, said:

“I’m pleased to say that this DVD-ROM for trainee ADIs has been developed with the profession very much in mind. We know how challenging the qualification process can be, so we listened to the industry and have tried to make this product as helpful and accessible as possible.

“The DVD’s main purpose is to help trainee ADIs to learn and understand the theory behind driving instruction to help them pass part 1 of the qualification process and also to give them a solid foundation for providing instruction.”

The product has been developed in partnership with DSA’s official publishers, TSO.