Driving Examiner (United Kingdom)
Encyclopedia
In the United Kingdom
, Driving Examiners are civil servants employed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
for the purpose of conducting the practical element of driving tests
. Outside the military, haulage and private bus companies who employ delegated examiners who test their own drivers, driving examiners are the only people who are authorised to conduct driving tests and issue the certificate required for obtaining a full driving licence in the UK. Driving examiners do not conduct the theory test
or the hazard perception test
as these take place in an office environment, supervised by administrative staff.
Driving examiners may be full or part time, conducting anything from 35 tests a week (full time) down to 14 tests a week (the current part time minimum). Overtime is available when there is demand, which is more or less constant in all but the quietest of locations.
Not counting trainees, there are four ranks of driving examiner - Driving Examiner (DE), Senior Driving Examiner (SDE), Supervising Examiner (SE) and Assistant Chief Examiner (ACDE). A small test centre will be headed up by an SDE, with an SE in charge of several of them. A large test centre is likely to be headed up by an SE. ACDEs are in charge of regions.
There is also one Chief Examiner for the whole country, although the chief examiner is not also the head of the DSA, as there are also several layers of non-examiner management and executive staff employed there.
examiners, since car tests represent by far and away the highest demand on the DSA. After twelve months as a car tester a DE may then apply to become an examiners of any other vehicle which the DE him/herself holds a full licence for, and, if accepted, will then train to test for that vehicle.
The most common additional vehicle tested for is the motorcycle
, the current motorcycle test involves off road testing so candidates normally have to go to a purpose built testing centre (this is under review). The DSA tests for every vehicle that a licence can be issued for, however, so examiners exist to cover everything from the moped
to the HGV.
s to qualify as such, and the extended test required for prospective examiners.
A prospective driving examiner must have held a full car licence for more than four years with no more than 3 penalty points on it at the time of application. If they are successful at the application form stage they will be asked to take an online situational judgement test, if successful here they will be invited to take the theory/hazard perception test, if successful at this stage, there is a competency based interview. The theory/hazard perception test is the same as the one taken by learner car drivers except that the pass marks are much higher.
If the would-be examiner passes all of the above they will be invited to take a special driving test. The special driving test involves a drive over a specially chosen route of about 20 to 25 miles. It will usually involve both urban and rural areas and will include driving on a dual carriageway. Candidates are expected to drive at a speed consistent with the road and traffic conditions and without committing any serious faults, although not part of the 'L' test there is a requirement to use arm signals. If they pass, and if there is actually a vacant post in a location are able to work at, then only at this stage will they actually be employed, and sent on the four week training course in the DSA's training and development centre in Cardington
. After that they will be given the rank of DE and assigned to a test centre.
. Industrial relations between the union and DSA management have been quite poor over the last two years.
At present the PCS is balloting for a rejection of latest pay offer (which is below inflation), but relations are otherwise stable pending a review into the proposed working practice reforms known as Driving Safely Forward. When these reforms were first mooted last year they caused strikes and a work to rule.
Also the union has long been pressing for a mandatory requirement for cars used in driving tests to have dual controls, and stricter penalties for those who assault driving examiners. Neither of these issues have yet been resolved.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Driving Examiners are civil servants employed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
Driving Standards Agency
The Driving Standards Agency is an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport .DSA’s vision is 'Safe Driving for Life'. Its overall mission is to contribute to the public service agreement objective to achieve 40% reduction in riders and drivers killed or seriously injured in road...
for the purpose of conducting the practical element of driving tests
United Kingdom driving test
The United Kingdom driving test is a test which all United Kingdom learner drivers must pass to obtain a full driving licence. Different tests are available for users of different vehicles, from car drivers, to motorcyclists and HGV drivers. In Great Britain it is administered by the Driving...
. Outside the military, haulage and private bus companies who employ delegated examiners who test their own drivers, driving examiners are the only people who are authorised to conduct driving tests and issue the certificate required for obtaining a full driving licence in the UK. Driving examiners do not conduct the theory test
United Kingdom driving test
The United Kingdom driving test is a test which all United Kingdom learner drivers must pass to obtain a full driving licence. Different tests are available for users of different vehicles, from car drivers, to motorcyclists and HGV drivers. In Great Britain it is administered by the Driving...
or the hazard perception test
United Kingdom driving test
The United Kingdom driving test is a test which all United Kingdom learner drivers must pass to obtain a full driving licence. Different tests are available for users of different vehicles, from car drivers, to motorcyclists and HGV drivers. In Great Britain it is administered by the Driving...
as these take place in an office environment, supervised by administrative staff.
Organisation
Driving Examiners are based in DSA Test Centres, which exist throughout the country, generally with one in every medium sized town and several in larger cities. The number of driving examiners in any given test centre will depend on the size of the test centre concerned.Driving examiners may be full or part time, conducting anything from 35 tests a week (full time) down to 14 tests a week (the current part time minimum). Overtime is available when there is demand, which is more or less constant in all but the quietest of locations.
Not counting trainees, there are four ranks of driving examiner - Driving Examiner (DE), Senior Driving Examiner (SDE), Supervising Examiner (SE) and Assistant Chief Examiner (ACDE). A small test centre will be headed up by an SDE, with an SE in charge of several of them. A large test centre is likely to be headed up by an SE. ACDEs are in charge of regions.
There is also one Chief Examiner for the whole country, although the chief examiner is not also the head of the DSA, as there are also several layers of non-examiner management and executive staff employed there.
Vehicles Tested
All Driving Examiners start as (only) carČar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
examiners, since car tests represent by far and away the highest demand on the DSA. After twelve months as a car tester a DE may then apply to become an examiners of any other vehicle which the DE him/herself holds a full licence for, and, if accepted, will then train to test for that vehicle.
The most common additional vehicle tested for is the motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
, the current motorcycle test involves off road testing so candidates normally have to go to a purpose built testing centre (this is under review). The DSA tests for every vehicle that a licence can be issued for, however, so examiners exist to cover everything from the moped
Moped
Mopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
to the HGV.
Special Tests
Beyond what are known as the "L" tests (ordinary driving tests for any given vehicle), Driving Examiners also conduct the various special tests including the extended driving test for banned drivers to requalify, the various tests required for Approved Driving InstructorApproved Driving Instructor
Approved Driving Instructor is a UK term for a trainer of car driving who has been tested and registered by the Driving Standards Agency...
s to qualify as such, and the extended test required for prospective examiners.
Recruitment, Selection and Training
The DSA recruits driving examiners by national campaign as and when it needs more. The selection process is somewhat protracted.A prospective driving examiner must have held a full car licence for more than four years with no more than 3 penalty points on it at the time of application. If they are successful at the application form stage they will be asked to take an online situational judgement test, if successful here they will be invited to take the theory/hazard perception test, if successful at this stage, there is a competency based interview. The theory/hazard perception test is the same as the one taken by learner car drivers except that the pass marks are much higher.
If the would-be examiner passes all of the above they will be invited to take a special driving test. The special driving test involves a drive over a specially chosen route of about 20 to 25 miles. It will usually involve both urban and rural areas and will include driving on a dual carriageway. Candidates are expected to drive at a speed consistent with the road and traffic conditions and without committing any serious faults, although not part of the 'L' test there is a requirement to use arm signals. If they pass, and if there is actually a vacant post in a location are able to work at, then only at this stage will they actually be employed, and sent on the four week training course in the DSA's training and development centre in Cardington
Cardington
Cardington may refer to:*Cardington, Bedfordshire, a village and civil parish in England*Cardington, Shropshire, a village and civil parish in England*Cardington, Ohio, a village in the United States...
. After that they will be given the rank of DE and assigned to a test centre.
Unions and Industrial Relations
The majority of Driving Examiners belong to the Public and Commercial Services UnionPublic and Commercial Services Union
The Public and Commercial Services Union is the sixth largest trade union in the United Kingdom. Most of its members work in government departments and other public bodies although some work for private companies.- Membership and organisation :...
. Industrial relations between the union and DSA management have been quite poor over the last two years.
At present the PCS is balloting for a rejection of latest pay offer (which is below inflation), but relations are otherwise stable pending a review into the proposed working practice reforms known as Driving Safely Forward. When these reforms were first mooted last year they caused strikes and a work to rule.
Also the union has long been pressing for a mandatory requirement for cars used in driving tests to have dual controls, and stricter penalties for those who assault driving examiners. Neither of these issues have yet been resolved.
See also
- Driving Standards AgencyDriving Standards AgencyThe Driving Standards Agency is an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport .DSA’s vision is 'Safe Driving for Life'. Its overall mission is to contribute to the public service agreement objective to achieve 40% reduction in riders and drivers killed or seriously injured in road...
- United Kingdom driving testUnited Kingdom driving testThe United Kingdom driving test is a test which all United Kingdom learner drivers must pass to obtain a full driving licence. Different tests are available for users of different vehicles, from car drivers, to motorcyclists and HGV drivers. In Great Britain it is administered by the Driving...
- Public and Commercial Services UnionPublic and Commercial Services UnionThe Public and Commercial Services Union is the sixth largest trade union in the United Kingdom. Most of its members work in government departments and other public bodies although some work for private companies.- Membership and organisation :...