It is a question we are frequently asked , as simple as that, and we plan to include a mixture of questions asked by pupils of their instructors, and instructors of their trainers or members of the DSA staff. As you can see there may be a hint of humour included, if I am not careful!
Page continuously under construction-more available soon.
In this first section we aim to help Learners/beginners with their FAQs though instructors may find this of value to.
A: Eyes shut and foot flat on the floor.....joke,...... for correct answer, ask a qualified instructor.
Q: Do I need to get a licence before I start learning?
A: Yes I am afraid so , and you can get an application form from the Post Office.
Alternatively if you click on the " L" you will go straight to the DSA website which will provide you with all the information you need for applying for your licence. When it comes to applying for your test we STRONGLY advise you do this under the advice and guidance of your trainer /instructor but you will find the relevant links on the same page.
Q: I wear glasses , will I still be able to drive?
A: Yes, is the easy answer as long as you can pass the eyesight test.
It is worth going to the optician every two years to have your eyes tested, if you do not and you cannot see you may be in trouble if you have an accident. It is down to you as the driver to make sure you can see ok not the police, DVLA or DSA. It is worth noting that the current design of glasses with deep side arms may restrict your vision to the side like blinkers on a horse. If you need to remove them to see when reversing you would fail a driving test, but your instructor will advise you on this.
Q: How do I pick a good instructor?
A: Usually the answer to this is by asking someone you know to recommend an instructor to you. It is good to trust someyou know to advise you.
Unfortunately there are some poor instructors out there and give us all a bad name. If you are not being treated with respect and feel the tuition you are getting is of poor quality, leave, get another instructor do not suffer in silence. Would you keep a bad tv if it did not work for you?
Q: What is the independent driving I keep hearing about on the radio and from friends ? Is the test being changes again this year?
A: The Independent drive is nothing to worry about and any instructor worth his/her salt will have been doing something similar with their pupils for years, I know, I have been doing it for 20+ years. Your instructor has probably told you, (if you are ready for it), "find your own way home" or," find your way to the hospital/school/college". "follow the signs to...." etc.
The examiner is just going to ask you to stop and then give you 2,3, or 4 instructions on where to go, they will use a diaram if necessary. Then off you go, easy, innit.
Do not worry if you forget the directions , ask and they will remind you.
Simples as Alexander would say.
One important bonus. If this is included in your test from October 2010 you will only be asked to one of the four manouvres not two. You will still need to learn to do all four to an accepltable standard as it will be asked at random .
This section is intended to help ADIs & PDIs in their teaching methods /techniques and preparation for their Pt3 exams or check tests. The Q&A will be developed over time and is being done with the help of a very well respected "consultant" in the region.
It is meant purely as guidance and is not gospel. Remember you are the teacher , on the spot at the time and should adjust your teaching to suit your individual pupils requirements.
Remember the pupil should not have to adjust to your teaching methods it is up to you, the good instructor to adapt not the pupil, otherwise that grade six will remain just a dream...
Q: What do I need to do to becone a driving Instructor?
A: Due to the present financial climate it is felt that it is maybe unwise to advise people to try to enter the profession. We have more instructors giving up the job or worse still going broke due to the lack of work at the moment than ever before that we can remember, some have apparently even lost their homes.
The demands on qualifying are high and very expensive with the added problem of many so called traing schools giving low or even poor quality training.
Q: How long should a briefing take?
A: Working on the priniciple;- what I hear I forget, what I see I remember and what I do I understand, a briefing should not be so long that it begins to enter the 'I forget' field.
Everyone will have a different time limit but a simple rule of thumb is no more than 3 pieces of information before an attempt is made to convert theory into practise. If the information is complex think of sub-dividing each section into 3 and then attempt to convert the smaller snippets of information into their practical application.
In the early days 1 piece of information may be the maximum before moving into practise.
Q:What's the best lesson to give for a check test? .
A: The one that the pupil needs/wants. Slight change here. Note the word wants
If you were the customer would you be happy if you asked your instructor if you could do something and they simply said "no, that's not what is on the agenda/sylabus/programme for today."
Would a better answer be;- 'OK, let's see what skills you will need to do that. It requires A+B+C+D. You can do A+B+C so let's do D and then see if we can join them all together.' Would that make you, as the customer, feel;- better/more enthusiastic/motivated to learn?
Can you imagine the new opening lines to a lesson.
"So far we have learnt.........." Reminder
"This has enhanced our skills to....................."Confirm
"We now need to consolidate/practise/acquire..................skills"
"So, what/which of these would you like to do?"