Driving Standards Agency
Encyclopedia
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency
of the UK
Department for Transport
(DfT).
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 accidents, in the age group up to 24 years, by 2010 compared with the average for 1994-98.
The responsibilities of DSA only cover Great Britain
. In Northern Ireland
the same role is carried out by the Driver & Vehicle Agency
(DVA).
, training and learning materials centre at Cardington
in Bedfordshire and administrative centres in Cardiff
and Newcastle
. It delivers tests from over 400 driving test centres and 140 theory test centres.
The DSA is one of the executive agencies that forms the Motoring and Freight Services (MFS) group, within the Department for Transport
. The DSA is a Trading Fund
with a turnover of over £184 million in 2009-10 mainly funded through fees and revenue from other road safety initiatives.
The chief executive is supported by an executive board, including two non-executive directors. The executive board’s role is to provide support and advice. The executive board meet on a monthly basis.
A separate audit and risk management committee, comprising non-executive directors, acts independently of the executive board to provide assurance both on financial and non-financial matters, including corporate governance and risk management, to the chief executive.
The change board, attended by the chief executive and appropriate directors, oversees the development and effective management of the DSA’s investment plan of change projects and programmes. The change board meets monthly.
The operational performance group, which also meets monthly is chaired by the operations director and attended by senior managers, monitors performance against targets and business plan objectives.
For those holding a provisional licence, taking the theory test is the next step before acquiring a full licence. For cars and motorcycles candidates are asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50. For lorries and buses, there are 100 questions in 115 minutes and the pass mark is 85 out of 100.
The hazard perception test is the second part of the driving theory test. Both parts must be passed in order to pass the theory test. If successful, one can then apply to take the practical driving test.
The practical test starts with an eyesight check and some vehicle safety questions. The driving part of the test lasts about 40 minutes, and involves performing some specific manoeuvres as well as demonstrating an overall safe standard of driving. A candidate may make up to 15 minor driving faults but still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if one serious or dangerous fault is committed, then the test is failed. The current pass rate for car 'L' tests is 43%.
The cost of the theory test is now £31.00, and the practical car test is £62.00 if taken on weekdays or £75.00 if taken at weekends or weekday evenings.
To help candidates fully prepare for their theory and practical driving and motorcycle tests, The Stationery Office
(TSO), DSA’s official publishing partner, produces a range of best-selling official publications. These include The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers (available as a book, CD-ROM or interactive download), The Official DSA Complete Theory Test Kit (CD-ROM and DVD pack) and The Official DSA Guide to Driving – the essential skills (available as a book or downloadable PDF). The full range of titles is available from The Stationery Office online bookshop.
The last increases prior to July 2005 were:
Sources: http://www.dft.gov.uk/dsa/PressRelease.asp?id=4206 http://www.dft.gov.uk/dsa/PressRelease.asp?id=145
s (ADIs) in Great Britain. The ADI Registrar also issues trainee licences to give instruction. In order to qualify as an ADI, three tests must be passed:
All three parts of the examination must be passed in this order, and must be completed within two years of passing the theory test (part one).
After being entered on the ADI register, ADIs are free to give driving instruction for money or monies worth, either working for
a driving school or being self-employed. It is a condition of remaining on the register that all ADIs undergo a periodic "test of continued ability of fitness to give instruction" also known as the 'check test'. The passage of the Road Safety Act 2006
empowered DSA to set the standards on all paid tuition, not just that of motor cars as was previously the case.
The DSA requires people who are applying to register as a Potential Driving Instructor (PDI), as well existing ADIs who are applying to extend their registration or re-register, to have a criminal record check. DSA uses the Criminal Records Bureau
(CRB) to obtain criminal record checks of people in England and Wales, and Disclosure Scotland for people in Scotland.
Some ADIs choose to take additional qualifications so that they can train drivers of large goods vehicles, or fleet drivers. The DSA also holds a voluntary register for fleet drivers, Compulsory Basic Trainers (for motorcycles), Large Goods Vehicle instructors and the Register of post-test motorcycle trainers. These registers provide quality standards for the relevant discipline, but are not necessary for paid tuition.
culture of lifelong learning.
DSA plan a phased implementation programme, which supports progressive improvements whilst avoiding disruption to those currently learning to drive.
Early improvements are:
and its information for businesses to Business Link
. This is part of the of Transformational Government
strategy. Its corporate information, which includes how the agency is run, consultations, and press releases, has moved to the Department for Transport website.
on 22 September 2009. The channel – youtube.com/dsagov – is being used to post road safety videos which offer advice to test candidates and other road users.
The DSA also operates a Twitter
channel - twitter.com/dsagovuk
Executive agency
An executive agency, also known as a next-step agency, is a part of a government department that is treated as managerially and budgetarily separate in order to carry out some part of the executive functions of the United Kingdom government, Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly or Northern Ireland...
of the UK
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...
Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
(DfT).
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 accidents, in the age group up to 24 years, by 2010 compared with the average for 1994-98.
The responsibilities of DSA only cover Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
the same role is carried out by the Driver & Vehicle Agency
Driver & Vehicle Agency
The Driver & Vehicle Agency is a government agency of the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment. It was created in early 2007 through the merger of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland and the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency .The merger brought together roles which are...
(DVA).
Profile
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is a national organisation with headquarters in NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, training and learning materials centre at Cardington
Cardington, Bedfordshire
Cardington is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, EnglandPart of the ancient hundred of Wixamtree, the settlement is best known in connection with the Cardington airship works founded by Short Brothers during World War I, which later became an RAF training station...
in Bedfordshire and administrative centres in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. It delivers tests from over 400 driving test centres and 140 theory test centres.
The DSA is one of the executive agencies that forms the Motoring and Freight Services (MFS) group, within the Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
. The DSA is a Trading Fund
Trading Fund
A trading fund is a UK executive agency, government department or part of a department, which has been established as such by means of a Trading Fund Order made under the Government Trading Funds Act 1973....
with a turnover of over £184 million in 2009-10 mainly funded through fees and revenue from other road safety initiatives.
Aims and objectives
The DSA's mission and primary aim is to continually promote road safety by influencing driver and rider behaviour. It does this through:- setting the standards for pre-driver education and driver trainers
- registering and supervising quality assured Approved Driving InstructorApproved Driving InstructorApproved Driving Instructor is a UK term for a trainer of car driving who has been tested and registered by the Driving Standards Agency...
s - carrying out theory and practical driving and riding tests
- quality assurance of all testing activity
- investigating cases of suspected theory test and practical test impersonations and identity fraud
- developing the future education and testing environment through its Learning to Drive programme
Resources
The DSA employs 1,789 practical driving examiners, and 728 administrative staff and managers. By March 2011 it plans to employ a total of 2,769 staff, dependent on trading and the government freeze on recruitment.Board structure
The chief executive is accountable to the Secretary of State for ensuring that the DSA meets its obligations and delivers its targets and services. The chief executive has overall responsibility for the DSA's activities, ensuring it meets its financial obligations, and providing assurance of a sound system of internal control. The Director General of Motoring and Freight Services, Steve Gooding, is the additional accounting officer.The chief executive is supported by an executive board, including two non-executive directors. The executive board’s role is to provide support and advice. The executive board meet on a monthly basis.
A separate audit and risk management committee, comprising non-executive directors, acts independently of the executive board to provide assurance both on financial and non-financial matters, including corporate governance and risk management, to the chief executive.
The change board, attended by the chief executive and appropriate directors, oversees the development and effective management of the DSA’s investment plan of change projects and programmes. The change board meets monthly.
The operational performance group, which also meets monthly is chaired by the operations director and attended by senior managers, monitors performance against targets and business plan objectives.
Theory and practical driving tests
Before learning to drive a car, moped or motorcycle, a provisional driving licence must be obtained. If a driver already holds a valid full driving licence but wishes to drive larger vehicles, minibuses or buses, provisional entitlement for these categories of vehicle is required.For those holding a provisional licence, taking the theory test is the next step before acquiring a full licence. For cars and motorcycles candidates are asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50. For lorries and buses, there are 100 questions in 115 minutes and the pass mark is 85 out of 100.
The hazard perception test is the second part of the driving theory test. Both parts must be passed in order to pass the theory test. If successful, one can then apply to take the practical driving test.
The practical test starts with an eyesight check and some vehicle safety questions. The driving part of the test lasts about 40 minutes, and involves performing some specific manoeuvres as well as demonstrating an overall safe standard of driving. A candidate may make up to 15 minor driving faults but still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if one serious or dangerous fault is committed, then the test is failed. The current pass rate for car 'L' tests is 43%.
The cost of the theory test is now £31.00, and the practical car test is £62.00 if taken on weekdays or £75.00 if taken at weekends or weekday evenings.
To help candidates fully prepare for their theory and practical driving and motorcycle tests, The Stationery Office
The Stationery Office
The Stationery Office is a British publishing company that was created in 1996 when the publishing arm of Her Majesty's Stationery Office was privatised. TSO is the official publisher and the distributor for legislation, command and house papers, select committee reports, Hansard, and the London,...
(TSO), DSA’s official publishing partner, produces a range of best-selling official publications. These include The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers (available as a book, CD-ROM or interactive download), The Official DSA Complete Theory Test Kit (CD-ROM and DVD pack) and The Official DSA Guide to Driving – the essential skills (available as a book or downloadable PDF). The full range of titles is available from The Stationery Office online bookshop.
Driving test fees
| test type | before July 2005 | July 2005–April 2006 | April 2006 | April 2008 | January 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car and motorcycle theory test | £21.50 | £21.00 | £21.50 | £30.00 | £31.00 |
| Lorry and bus theory test | no information | no information | no information | £45.00 | £50.00 |
| ADI part I theory test | no information | no information | no information | £80.00 | £90.00 |
| Car practical test (standard weekday) | £42.00 | £45.50 | £48.50 | £56.50 | £62.00 |
| Car practical test (standard out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £67.50 | £75.00 |
| Car practical test (extended weekday) | no information | no information | no information | £113.00 | £124.00 |
| Car practical test (extended out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £134.00 | £150.00 |
| Motorcycle practical test (standard weekday) | £51.00 | £55.00 | £58.00 | £60.00 | £90.50 |
| Motorcycle practical test (standard out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £70.00 | £104.00 |
| Motorcycle practical test (extended weekday) | no information | no information | no information | £120.00 | £165.50 |
| Motorcycle practical test (extended out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £140.00 | £192.50 |
| Domestic licence (category F, G, H and K) practical test (standard) | no information | no information | no information | £56.50 | £62.00 |
| Domestic licence (category F, G, H and K) practical test (out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £67.50 | £75.00 |
| Car with trailer, lorry and bus practical test (standard) | £80.00 | £85.00 | £89.00 | £105.00 | £115.00 |
| Car with trailer, lorry and bus practical test (out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £125.00 | £141.00 |
| Driver CPC Module 4 practical test (standard) | not conducted | not conducted | not conducted | not conducted | £55.00 |
| Driver CPC Module 4 practical test (out of hours) | not conducted | not conducted | not conducted | not conducted | £63.00 |
| ADI part II practical test | £70.00 | £79.00 | £82.00 | £99.00 | £111.00 |
| ADI part III Ability to Instruct test | £70.00 | £79.00 | £82.00 | £111.00 | £111.00 |
| Driving instructor trainee licence | £100.00 | £125.00 | no change | no change | £140.00 |
| Theory test pass certificates for organisations with delegated authority (car and motorcycle) | £10.00 | £12.00 | £14.00 | £18.50 >03/Sep/2007 | no change |
| Theory test pass certificates for organisations with delegated authority (lorry and bus) | no information | no information | no information | £29.00 | no change |
The last increases prior to July 2005 were:
- Practical car and motorcycling test: 2002
- Lorry and bus tests: 2001
- Driving instructor test: 1997
Sources: http://www.dft.gov.uk/dsa/PressRelease.asp?id=4206 http://www.dft.gov.uk/dsa/PressRelease.asp?id=145
Driving instructor registration
The DSA holds a register of 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 (ADIs) in Great Britain. The ADI Registrar also issues trainee licences to give instruction. In order to qualify as an ADI, three tests must be passed:
- theory (part one) - a multiple choice section and a video-based hazard perception section;
- driving ability (part two) - an eyesight test followed by a practical test of driving technique;
- instructional ability (part three) - a practical test of the ability to instruct.
All three parts of the examination must be passed in this order, and must be completed within two years of passing the theory test (part one).
After being entered on the ADI register, ADIs are free to give driving instruction for money or monies worth, either working for
a driving school or being self-employed. It is a condition of remaining on the register that all ADIs undergo a periodic "test of continued ability of fitness to give instruction" also known as the 'check test'. The passage of the Road Safety Act 2006
Road Safety Act 2006
The Road Safety Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The provisions contained in the Act are designed to improve road safety and help achieve casualty reduction targets. The Government’s strategy for improving road safety was set out in the framework paper “Tomorrow’s Roads...
empowered DSA to set the standards on all paid tuition, not just that of motor cars as was previously the case.
The DSA requires people who are applying to register as a Potential Driving Instructor (PDI), as well existing ADIs who are applying to extend their registration or re-register, to have a criminal record check. DSA uses the Criminal Records Bureau
Criminal Records Bureau
The Criminal Records Bureau , is an Executive Agency of the Home Office, which provides wider access to criminal record information through its Disclosure service for England and Wales...
(CRB) to obtain criminal record checks of people in England and Wales, and Disclosure Scotland for people in Scotland.
Some ADIs choose to take additional qualifications so that they can train drivers of large goods vehicles, or fleet drivers. The DSA also holds a voluntary register for fleet drivers, Compulsory Basic Trainers (for motorcycles), Large Goods Vehicle instructors and the Register of post-test motorcycle trainers. These registers provide quality standards for the relevant discipline, but are not necessary for paid tuition.
'Learning to Drive' programme
Following consultation, Ministers have decided to proceed with a programme of measures, based on education and incentivisation, which will strengthen the way that people learn to drive and are tested, and encourage aculture of lifelong learning.
DSA plan a phased implementation programme, which supports progressive improvements whilst avoiding disruption to those currently learning to drive.
Early improvements are:
- continued roll out across Great Britain of the new pre-driver qualification in safe road use
- introducing from October 2009:
- a partial credit towards the theory test for car drivers for those students awarded the new pre-driver qualification in the form of an abridged theory test
- case studies into the theory test for car drivers and moped and motorcycle riders to better assess whether learners have understood driving or riding theory
- launching in 2009/10 a trial to assess the effectiveness of the proposed new learning to drive syllabus and process
- introducing from October 2010 a requirement for the supervising driver to accompany the candidate during a practical car test
- subject to the outcome of the trialling, from October 2010 introducing into all DSA practical tests for learner drivers an assessment of competence whilst the candidate is driving independently.
Websites
The DSA has moved its information about learning to drive and ride to DirectgovDirectgov
Directgov is the UK government's digital service for people in the United Kingdom, providing a single point of access to public sector information and services.The content is developed by government departments, working with a central Directgov team...
and its information for businesses to Business Link
Business Link
Business Link is a government-funded business advice and guidance service in England. It consists of an online portal managed by HMRC, local/regional advisors and a national helpline.-History:...
. This is part of the of Transformational Government
Transformational Government
-Introduction:Transformational Government is a term which describes the use of computer-based information and communications technologies to enable radical improvement to the delivery of public services...
strategy. Its corporate information, which includes how the agency is run, consultations, and press releases, has moved to the Department for Transport website.
Social media
The DSA announced the launch of its own video sharing channel on YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
on 22 September 2009. The channel – youtube.com/dsagov – is being used to post road safety videos which offer advice to test candidates and other road users.
The DSA also operates a Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
channel - twitter.com/dsagovuk
See also
- Driving Examiner (United Kingdom)Driving Examiner (United Kingdom)In the United Kingdom, Driving Examiners are civil servants employed by the Driving Standards Agency for the purpose of conducting the practical element of driving tests...
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing AgencyDriver and Vehicle Licensing AgencyThe Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is the organisation of the UK Government responsible for maintaining a database of drivers and a database of vehicles in Great Britain; its counterpart in Northern Ireland is the Driver & Vehicle Agency...
(DVLA) - Highways AgencyHighways AgencyThe Highways Agency is an executive agency, part of the Department for Transport in England. It has responsibility for managing the core road network in England...
- Vehicle and Operator Services AgencyVehicle and Operator Services AgencyVehicle and Operator Services Agency is a non-departmental public body granted Trading Fund status in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom Government.-History:...
(VOSA) - administers the MOT