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The Driving Standards Agency (DVSA) published the National standard for driver and rider training (NSDRT) in 2011 setting out the skills, knowledge and understanding that you need to be an effective trainer.

The aim of the standards check is to allow an examiner to assess the ADIs ability to provide a lesson that is appropriately pitched to the needs of their pupil. The lesson should provide the most suitable instructional technique that suits the learning style of the pupil to ensure that learning is effective. The standards check will be conducted with the examiner observing the ADI delivering a normal lesson lasting 45 minutes moving.

An ADI will normally be invited for a standards check at their local driving test centre, occasional DTCs or out-stations are not usually suitable because of the restrictions they impose. The ADI will get a letter or email 6 months before they are due to attend for a standards check. This encourages the ADI to book their own standards check on a date, at a location that suits their needs.

ADIs that do not book an appointment or those who have failed a previous standards check or are required by the Registrar to attend, will have an appointment booked for them. The ADI will receive a letter that confirms the time and place of their standards check it will also explain the test procedure. The ADI should consider their personal CPD (Continual professional development) and seek support from an ORDIT registered trainer before attending for their first standards check.

Test information programme (TIP)

DVSA uses the data taken from driving tests where the pupil was presented by an ADI and the instructors personal reference number was recorded.

The data covers a 12 month rolling period and looks at 4 indicators.

Each indicator has a trigger point and ADIs who trigger 3 or more of these indicators will be invited for a Standards Check. DVSA will also prioritise those ADIs who exceed the trigger points by the highest margins first.

Support is provided to the ADI through the offer of an engagement call prior to the standards check. This is an opportunity to discuss the up and coming standards check, reflect on the driving test data for that instructor and reflect on and encourage continuing professional development (CPD).

The examiner will be viewing their ADI testing commitments in advance (approx. 6 weeks) to identify any booked standards checks. The ADIs contact details are made available by ADI managers. This is to facilitate an engagement call should the ADI agree to receive one. An invite will be sent to the ADI giving them the opportunity to agree a mutually convenient date and time. Once agreed the examiner will obtain a PDF of their test performance which will highlight positives and areas in potential need of development. The engagement call also encourages the ADI to consider support before the standards check from an ORDIT registered trainer.

Types of standards check lessons

Typical lesson scenarios that you may need to assess fall into the following categories:

• partly trained, inexperienced, learner
• experienced pupil - about ready to take their practical driving test
• new full licence holder
• experienced full licence holder

Beginner, classroom-based and off-road lessons are not allowed for the standards check.

An increasing number of ADIs provide training to the emergency services. This training can include taking advantage of legal exemptions such as exceeding speed limits or not complying with traffic signs.

The examiner should tell the ADI that you cannot accompany the lesson for health and safety reasons if they are told that the proposed lesson plan includes elements which require the trainee to take advantage of the exemptions. The examiner must stop the standards check if the trainer refuses to change the lesson plan to take out these elements.

Examiners must conduct all standards checks in either English or Welsh. Interpreters for the purpose of translating any other language are not allowed. If an ADI requires a Welsh speaking examiner they should request this on receipt of their invitation email / letter by emailing standardscheck@dvsa.gov.uk.

The examiner will observe the ADI delivering a normal lesson to a pupil. The duration for the Standards Check is 45 minutes with car moving for about 40 minutes. The time the lesson commences in the car and the time the lesson ceases should be noted on the SC1 in the space below the outcome box. (NB these times relate solely to the lesson delivery and do not include any discussions with the ADI).

The ADI is permitted to pull over to discuss anything of significance with their pupil. Whilst we

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