Newslink april final

MSA Newslink April 2014

MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION

Issue 262

The ADI’s Voice

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DVSA is digital conumdrum for ADIs, MPs told

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Online services praised but rush to be Government’s digital champion is leaving some instructors behind MSA general manager John Lepine offered MPs a mixed verdict on the service provided by the DVSA to ADIs in evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee for Transport.

While praising its communication with the industry and saying that “there is an awful lot we agree on”, he pointed out that a number of elements of its service were poor, including the way its digital -by-default programme was shutting out non-IT-literate ADIs and the “appalling” state of the booking service for the Standards Check.

He also repeated long-standing MSA concerns over the agency’s inability to carry road safety reforms through to legislation despite them having widespread support from the industry.

Mr Lepine was joined at the session by Stephen Smith, operations director, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), and Jay Parmar, legal and policy director, British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) to take questions from MPs in the Thatcher Room of the Palace of Westminster. The session was devoted to the work of the motoring agencies, including the DVSA and DVLA, and in particular the level of satisfaction among driving instructors as to the standard of their service.

During the session John, responding to a question from the committee chair, Louise Ellman MP, on the MSA’s involvement with the motoring

agencies, said: “Our relationship with DSA/DVSA has always been excellent. We have very good communication with them. Obviously, we do not agree on everything, but there is an awful lot we do agree with.

“There are some things we would particularly like to see that are both pro and anti- ‘digital by default’.

The good side is that their moves on digital services have been absolutely excellent. They provide a really good service online.

“A downside of that is that they provide virtually no services that are not online, so if one is not in a broadband area, or one does not want to embrace the new technology, contrary to the Cabinet Office guidelines, it is almost impossible to try to deal with the DVSA.” Earlier, John had surprised MPs when he commented: “The majority of our members deal mostly with what was the DSA but has now been taken over – I suggest – by VOSA, rather than merged. Whether that is a good or bad thing we will have to wait and see.”

The use of the world ‘take over’ was leapt on by committee chair Ms Ellman, who asked John, “Why do you say it is a takeover and not a merger?”

John pointed out that “there are not many DSA staff left at director level; they are all VOSA people.”

Continued on page 9

Let Scotland decide: Transport minister makes bid for separate driver licensing rules

see page 8

Fed up with the same deal on your driving tuition insurance?

Just the job, Bob! MSA national chairman Peter Harvey presents MSA North East’s Bob Butterworth with the association’s Member of the Year Award at the Annual Conference.

Bob wasn’t the only big winner: MSA North West’s long-serving deputy chairman and regional editor John Lomas was made an Honorary Member of the MSA in recognition of over 20 years’ services for the association and its members.

Full coverage of the conference starts on page 24.

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Contents Editor: John Lepine MBE t: 0161 429 9669 e: john.lepine@msagb.co.uk mail@msagb.co.uk f: 0161 429 9779 Motor Schools Association of Great Britain Ltd (MSA), 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP Production editor: Rob Beswick t: 0161 426 7957 e: rob@chambermediaservices.co.uk beswick@cssystems.net Advertising contacts: Joanne Cantwell t: 0161 432 9717 e: joanne.cantwell@hotmail.com Colin Regan t: 01925 468403 e: colinregan001@yahoo.co.uk Newslink is published monthly on behalf of the MSA and distributed to MSA members throughout Great Britain by Chamber Media Services, 4 West Park Road, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 3JX Views expressed in Newslink are not necessarily those of the MSA. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material contained within this publication, neither the MSA nor the publishers can accept any responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors in either advertising or editorial content. ©2014 The Motor Schools Association of Great Britain Ltd. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden without express permission of the editor.

The paper for this magazine has been sourced from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. See www.pefc.org

02 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

This issue: Rules relaxed on some test cancellations

The DVSA has announced a more flexible approach to L-test cancellations where the candidate is seriously ill on the day of the test or has suffered a bereavement

News, page 4

A, B or Fail: DVSA surprise on grades

No one asked for them, few expected them, but the DVSA has implemented them anyway: the new Standards Check guides have been announced – and they have come as a quite a shock!

News, page 6

Scottish minister has eye on driving licences Scotland’s Transport Minister Keith Brown has called for driver licensing to be a devolved matter after Westminster dropped proposals for graduated licences – and outlines his plans for the industry in an independent Scotland

News, page 8

Welcome to the Standards Check!

It‘s here at last - the first Standards Check were held on April 7.

News on the grading structure – see pg 6

Towards your CPD

Conference 2014

Six pages of CPD with this issue!

Training and coaching tips plus other ways to help you become a better ADI. Articles from renowned driver trainers, including Steve Garrod, Sue McCormack and Phil Burman, plus advice on training disabled motorists from RICA

Towards your CPD section: from page 16

Regional news

Battle of the bus lanes: 1-0 to the ADIs as council admits defeat, and the worrying case of Warrington’s whitewash worries page 10

All the news, stories and gossip from MSA Conference 2014 – plus a complete photographic record of what was a brilliant weekend in Bristol.

Conference report, page 24-39

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About the msa

The MSA: here to

you

Your priority is your pupils, training them to be the safest drivers they can possibly be...

...but at the same time you’ve got to keep an eye on the business, making sure the new pupils are rolling in and you’re prepared to grasp new opportunities when they come along...

And for many ADIs, even franchisees, you’re doing this mostly on your own, without anyone to support you.

That’s where the MSA comes in.

Our team is committed to being your support service, providing you with all the information, practical advice and training opportunities you need to stay at the top of the ADI profession.

We’re the MSA and we’re committed to supporting you Whether you need help with CPD, support in a problem with the DSA, the peace of mind that the MSA’s professional indemnity insurance gives you, or you just want to take advantage of our great money-saving offers through our many partners, then the MSA is there for you.

Think of us as your own support service...

And all for around 17p a day!

Membership benefits: All the news you need... keeping you informed through our industryleading monthly membership magazine Newslink, our website and regular membership contact through emails, texts and our many social media outlets.

Professional support...

Who do you turn to if you’ve got a problem with the DVSA? Your boss - but you’re a one-man band... your trades union... but you’re not in a union... that’s where the MSA comes in, to advise and support you

KEY BENEFIT: Saving you money...

The MSA has negotiated special deals with a host of companies offering services and supplies that ADIs need. From driving tuition aids to money off car services, lowcost personal insurance and printing, being an MSA member will save you money.

KEY BENEFIT: Professional indemnity insurance... £5m cover for your business... and £10m third party liability cover give you peace of mind should a pupil or member of the public take legal action against you as an ADI through your job.

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 03

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News

Inbrief DVSA to name and shame garages

DVSA will be publishing details of Vehicle Testing Stations (VTS) that have been removed from the MOT scheme following formal disciplinary action.

DVSA have agreed with Ministers to make the information publically available following the announcement by Justine Greening MP in 2012, of the Governments’ commitment to the Garage Customer Experience.

Details will be published after the appeal period has lapsed or the appeal has been determined.

Email alerts will be sent out monthly so that consumers can find out which MOT garages have been removed from the scheme.

The monthly email alerts will contain VTS name, location, reason for cessation and the cessation period.

New certificates for the MOT New MoT test certificates are now in use for trucks, trailers, buses and coaches – the VTG5, VTG5A and VTP20. These test certificates have been updated to comply with EC Roadworthiness Directive 2010/48.

Test documents must now capture three new elements of information not previously recorded by these certificates: n Country of registration n Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN –verified by the vehicle manufacturer’s plate n Odometer reading – recorded at the time of test where an odometer is fitted in the cab.

Hub odometer readings are not recorded.

Each certificate has a revision date of April 2013 and some were published and used before 2014 where old stocks were exhausted. Only new versions have been used since 1 January.

DVSA relaxes rules on some L-test cancellations As of 1 April, the DVSA has been operating a more flexible approach to the way it handles tests cancelled by candidates at short notice.

At the moment, candidates automatically lose their fee if they cancel or change their test without giving the agency three clear working days’ notice.

However, from 1 April, candidates will be able to ask for a rebooking at short notice with no charge if they can’t take their test because of:

n a medically certified illness n a bereavement n school exams.

DVSA will also continue to offer a refund or new test date to serving members of the armed forces who are called for duty.

MSA general manager John Lepine commented: “These are commonsense measures and, particularly in the case of sudden illlness and bereavements, not

before time. It is something the MSA has been asking for for some time.

“It is an encouraging sign of a more customer-focused approach by the DVSA. “It would be even better if it were to be followed by a similar stance over the question of cancelled Standards Checks, where often instructors have no choice other than to pull out of the check on their ability to instruct when a pupil falls ill or cancels the lesson.”

At last: DVSA unveils changes to LGV and bike testing Some major technical changes introduced to driving test and licence requirements affecting lorry, bus and coach drivers, and which motorcycles can be used on test, will come into effect on 10 April, the DVSA has announced.

The MSA has been surprised at the considerable delay in confirming that these changes will come into force, and the narrow window offered by the agency between the official announcement of the changes and their implementation.

This information was only released on March 19, at 5pm, and comes into force just three weeks later.

The agency has acknowledged this delay and apologised in the official communique, with a note that it “appreciated your patience.”

From 10 April, the changes will: n remove the need for eight-forward gear ratios for large test vehicles (category C, C+E) n let people who take a lorry or bus test (category C, C+E and D, D+E) in an automatic vehicle to get a manual entitlement for those vehicles, if they already have a manual entitlement for cars, lorries or buses, with or without trailers (category B, B+E, C, C+E, C1, C1+E, D, D+E, D1+E); and n allow car (category B) licence holders drive large trikes above 15KW power if

04 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

they are aged 21 or over The change to rules for motorcycles that can be used for tests allow more flexibility.

They: n reduce the minimum engine power requirement for medium motorcycles (category A2) from 25kW to 20kW n let drivers of cars to also drive large trikes above 15KW power if aged 21 or over.

In addition, the DVSA has announced more changes from 31 December 2018,

which will: n raise the minimum engine power requirement for large motorcycles (category A) from 40kW to 50kW n introduce a minimum mass weight requirement for large motorcycles (category A) of 175kg. This is a change from earlier notices, which stated 180kg.

This is because we have a 5kg tolerance - 180kg down to 175kg.

More information on all these changes can be found at www.gov.uk.

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News

Translation axe will boost safety, says minister As announced in October 2013, the option of foreign language voiceovers and using interpreters on theory and driving tests has now been scrapped.

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.”

A consultation exercise on whether or not to scrap translations found that ending the option was overwhelmingly popular, according to the DVSA. Principal among the reasons for scrapping them were fears over potential road safety implications, the risk of fraud and the cost of providing translations. Almost 2,000 people had their say on the proposals.

Over 70 per cent called for translations and the use of interpreters to end. In

Inbrief Silverstone Module 1 tests off the grid

addition to the road safety issues, it was also found that many people supported encouraging candidates to learn the national language to improve social cohesion.

Those candidates with special needs such as dyslexia or other reading difficulties will still be able to take their theory test with an English or Welsh language voiceover.

Candidates who are deaf or have hearing difficulties will still be able to take their theory test in British sign language (BSL) and take a BSL interpreter with them on their practical test.

More assessment needed for older drivers, says IAM The IAM is calling on the Government to introduce a national strategy of driving health checks and better information for elderly drivers and their families.

The call comes after a poll showing that 42 per cent of the population are worried about an elderly relative driving, yet they are unlikely to do anything about it.

The IAM and Vision Critical poll of 1,297 people shows that while concern about elderly drivers is evident, acting on our concerns is another issue. Fifty-eight per cent of those concerned did nothing about it.

The problem is it is often difficult to talk to elderly relatives

about their driving, said IAM chief executive Simon Best: “Talking to an elderly relative about their driving is a difficult conversation to have. Giving up the car keys can be a very stressful process. This is especially true for drivers with dementia as they often underestimate the impact of the condition on their driving skills.”

The IAM wants a Government action plan for older drivers and more widespread availability of voluntary on-road driving assessments. There also needs to be better information and online assessment tools for older drivers, their families and health professionals.

The DVSA has announced that it will be stopping Module 1 motorcycle testing at Silverstone after 14 May 2014.

This is because the lease on this site is coming to an end.

The agency plans to move Module 1 tests to the Goods Vehicle Testing Station at nearby Weedon, with testing starting there at the end of June.

In the interim period before Weedon opens the following sites can be used: n Oxford, Kassam n Leighton Buzzard LGV n Cardington, Bedford.

EU moves to boost lorry safety

The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in support of new proposals in favour of LGVs. The new rules on lorry dimensions will allow for cabs with improved visibility, which is a key factor in improving safety of pedestrians and cyclists in urban areas.

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 05

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News New Standards Check grades announced

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A, B or Fail: DVSA surprises industry with new grades The DVSA has announced a new, simpler and clearer grading structure for the ADI Standards Check.

From April 7 driving instructors will be classed as either A Grade, B Grade or given a fail.

In its official communique the DVSA said: “ADIs will be given one of the following grades after your standards check: n A grade (85% or over) - an overall high standard of instruction n B grade (60% or over) - a sufficient level of competence n Fail (less than 60%) - an unsatisfactory performance “This structure also makes it easier for learners and their parents to understand. They’ll then be able to make a more informed decision when choosing an instructor.”

It added that the agency was committed to work with the industry to help the top grade instructors promote the higher level of competence that they’ve worked hard to achieve.

MSA general manager John Lepine was surprised by the grading structure. “The ADI consultative groups were asked for their views on the new grading structure and as far as I’m aware three grades, in this format, was not considered an option by anyone outside the DVSA. “Options that had proved popular included a simple Pass or Fail, possibly adding a Gold Award to that simple structure, or bringing the ADI grades into line with those of OFSTED, giving us ‘Outstanding’, ‘Satisfactory’, ‘Requires Improvement’ or a fail (special measures).

“As Grades A, B and Fail weren’t discussed, it does make one wonder why the DVSA bothers to consult, when it is clear that it has made its own decisions internally.”

During the Standards Check the examiner will assess how well the instructor meets the objectives set out in the National driver and rider training standards framework, which is published on GOV.UK. (See www.gov.uk/ government/publications/national-standard-for-driver-andrider-training The Standards Check will focus on three key areas: Lesson planning – did the instructor identify the pupil’s learning goals and needs?

Risk management – did the instructor make sure that

the pupil fully understood how the responsibility for risk would be shared?

Teaching and learning strategies – was the teaching style suited to the pupil’s learning style and current ability?

The three main areas are broken down into 17 further areas of competence. Instructors will get a score from 0 to 3 for each.

0 - no evidence of competence 1 - a few elements of competence demonstrated 2 - competence demonstrated in most elements 3 - competence demonstrated in all elements Instructors must score at least 31 out of 51 to pass and will automatically fail if: n they score seven or fewer in the risk management area n the examiner stops the lesson because the instructor has put themselves or someone else in danger After the assessment is completed the ADI will be given a grade and a copy of the assessment form. This will offer feedback, helping instructors to recognise their strengths and the areas where they may need to develop.

Instructors who don’t reach an acceptable standard in three consecutive checks could be removed from the register.

The DVSA has published guidance notes on the Standards Check on GOV.UK. However, the agency has stressed that this is not prescriptive: it will be down to the instructor to decide how the lesson should be conducted.

The instructor has to decide what is best for the pupil, taking account of their needs and preferred learning style.

Further reforms

DVSA consulted last year on a series of changes aimed at modernising the driver training industry. These included replacing the existing DSA qualifying tests with a new vocational qualification and a reform of the trainee licence scheme, so that trainees would only be able to give paid tuition when accompanied by a fully qualified instructor.

An interim report on the consultation is being prepared and we will publish this in Newslink and on the MSA website when it is released. n The Grades debate: See Conference report, from page 24

Changes to Northern Ireland licence regime Northern Ireland motorists will benefit from the same services as motorists in the rest of the UK from July 2014, as a result of changes announced by Roads Minister Stephen Hammond.

The changes mean NI motorists will, for the first time, be able to tax vehicles online or by phone. Motorists will also have access to more face- toface vehicle registration and licensing services than ever before at around 175 Post Office® branches across NI. Following consultation, the proposal will also include additional support for customers and staff, to help the move to these new services.

As well as improving services for NI motorists and businesses, the reforms will result in an estimated £12 million year on year saving.

Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said: “Motorists in Northern Ireland have not been able to access many of the vehicle registration and licensing services that are taken for granted in the rest of the UK. These changes will address this and will mean that for the first time, Northern Ireland motorists will have greater choice and flexibility or where, when and how they use these services.

“We have listened very carefully to the points raised during consultation,

particularly about the uncertainty for the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) staff who currently provide vehicle registration and licensing services.

While the changes mean DVA will no longer provide these services, the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland has said that they will try to avoid redundancies.

“I would like to thank the staff in DVA for their continued hard work in delivering vehicle services” Driver licensing is a devolved matter in NI and will remain the responsibility of DVA, although the eight DVA offices will close by the end of this year.

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News

Approved training bodies urged to take part in new CBT research

Speak out for pot hole cash

The DVSA has appealed for approved training bodies (ATBs) to help them reform compulsory basic training (CBT) by taking part in a quick telephone survey on its effectiveness.

The DVSA is currently working with the Department for Transport and a research company, SPA Future Thinking (SPA), to look at how well CBT is working. From the start of April SPA has been contacting all ATBs to ask them to take part in a 15-minute telephone survey. This will cover: n trainees – for example, how many, their age and motivations n training – for example, duration, course content and fees n views on CBT – is it effective and what, if anything, needs to change.

The DVSA introduced CBT in 1990 and as it reaches a quarter of a century of use the agency needs to find out if it’s still fit for purpose and provides sufficient training for learner riders and those who keep repeating their CBT rather than take a full motorcycle test.

Once this research is finished, the DVSA will publish the findings then carry out practical trials and further research to help decide any proposals for changes to CBT. A DVSA spokesman added: “If you’re contacted by SPA, we hope you’ll take this

ADIs in England are being urged to tell their local council about bad pot holes in the roads in order to grab a bigger slice of new funding released by the Chancellor of the Exchequer for road repairs.

In his Budget on 19 March, George Osborne announced that another £200 million will be provided for pothole repairs in financial year 2014 to 2015.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This extra money will help make a real difference to the millions of road users and residents across England who rely on local roads, giving them safer and smoother journeys.”

Councils will be able to bid for the extra pot-hole cash but awards will be based on strict criteria of need: therefore, as a spokesman for the Local Government Association put it, “the more the council can evidence need, the better its chances of securing cash.”

So speak out - or miss out!

opportunity to tell us what you think; your views are very important to us. SPA is also likely to need your help in identifying suitable candidates to take part. We would appreciate any support you can give if you’re contacted by them.”

If you’d like to help but SPA hasn’t

contacted you by 25 April, please send an email to Brian.westra@spafuturethinking.com If you decide to take part in this research, SPA will guarantee to keep your individual responses confidential and anonymous.

They won’t use or disclose any information involved in the survey for any other purpose.

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 07

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News

Scottish minister calls for Holyrood to take control of driver licensing Scotland’s Transport Minister Keith Brown has called for driver licensing to become a devolved matter in response to the UK Government’s decision to scrap plans to publish a Green Paper on new drivers and introduce a revised form of graduated driver licensing (GDL).

Driver licensing is currently a reserved matter and Holyrood politicians have no say in reforming it – and that’s a situation Mr Brown wants to change.

Speaking in a parliamentary debate at Holyrood on Young and Novice Drivers and Graduated Driver Licensing on 25 March, Mr Brown said: “I’m calling for the UK Government to take action on GDL without further delay. I consider that I am acting in the interests of the people of Scotland. However, should UK Ministers ultimately decide not to move forward on this issue, I would ask again that they devolve the necessary powers to Scottish Ministers.

“Young people aged 17-25 make up 10% of licence holders yet they account for 23% of drivers involved in injury road accidents over the last five years in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government has listened, gathered evidence and advocated an approach to road safety for young and inexperienced drivers which includes some form of graduated drivers’ licence.

“Frustratingly, this is as far as we can go at present because graduated drivers’ licences are a reserved issue. Despite our repeated attempts to engage and encourage the UK Government to take action on this issue we still don’t have the promised green paper setting out the UK Government’s view on this vital subject.”

“The evidence base shows that GDL remains the only young driver

intervention for which there is clear and unambiguous evidence to show that it reduces the crash rate for new and young drivers. We need to make sure that any proposed GDL scheme supports young and novice drivers both in terms of safety and in reduced insurance premiums.

“There is clear evidence that graduated licences may save up to 19 lives per year on our roads in Scotland and we must pursue that opportunity.”

Speaking against the motion, Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone claimed the scheme could have a negative impact in rural areas and penalise safe novice drivers.

He said: “The testing process appears incapable of identifying young drivers who are most at risk of being involved in accidents.” This was because those at risk were often the most confident during the testing process and suggested more training might be the answer.

“I don’t believe that we should be able to sit driving tests at any younger than 17, but I can see no harm in allowing drivers, under instruction, to drive at an earlier age – from 16 on a provisional licence, so guaranteeing that our young drivers have a full year

under instruction, or at least have the opportunity, before they sit a test,” he argued.

Conservative MP Justin Tomlinson introduced a Graduated Driving Licence Scheme Bill at Westminster in June 2013, but no date has been given for further debate and it is now very unlikely that one will be allocated.

If Scotland votes for independence the SNP has already said it would set up its own driver testing and training organisation, and ADIs based in Scotland would cease to work under the DVSA’s umbrella.

While the SNP’s White Paper on Independence made no mention of a new driver testing and training regime, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The limitations of devolution prevent us taking our own decisions on road safety initiatives such as the introduction of a Graduated Drivers’ Licensing scheme.

“There is compelling

evidence that such a scheme could save many young lives and consequently lead to much cheaper insurance for young drivers.

We have urged the UK Government to consider such a scheme since 2008 but we still await any action.

“It is the current Scottish Government’s intention to continue to use the services of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Driving Standards Agency, and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency [sic] in the immediate post-independence period.

These agencies are currently self-funded through user fees. Scottish users therefore contribute fully to the cost of providing these services.

“Independence will allow the Scottish Parliament to determine the best way to deliver these services in the future. The current Scottish Government proposes the creation of a new, streamlined Scottish Motor Services Agency, which will bring together the functions of DVLA, DSA, VOSA, and Vehicle Certification Agency.

“By the end of the first term of an independent Parliament, the current Scottish Government would plan to have completed the design and development work, with a view to the Agency going live early in the second Parliament.”

“Should UK Ministers ultimately decide not to move forward on this issue, I would ask again that they devolve the necessary powers to Scottish Ministers” Keith Brown (pictured)

ADI National Steering Group: MSA statement The official ADI National Associations Steering Group met on 7 March at the Esher Place Training & Conference Centre.

The meeting began with a full and frank discussion about the future direction of the NASG and it was agreed unanimously that with a workable Terms of Reference, it was possible to move forward as a group.

However, it was also agreed that should conduct within the group become untenable or people believe the actions of some bring the group into disrepute, the group has the ability to invoke some form of sanction.

The group discussed the new Standards Check and the proposals regarding the future of role play; it was agreed that the group would seek clarification on this matter from the regulator.

There was a wide-ranging discussion concerning trying to find a consensus about ‘one big idea’ that might be put to the DVSA/DfT. There was further discussion about the Standards Check, in particular regarding the facility to request a

08 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

full report in the event of a fail and how the new grading system might work.

A number of participants expressed concern about the withdrawal of counterpart driving licences in the future and it was agreed that the group would look further into this matter.

The group were updated on the situation with regard to representation on the panel for special needs tests, which is now looking at practical tests as well as the theory test.

There was also discussion about the mooted TV programme Driving with the Stars; it was agreed that the group would publish a media release expressing concern about the programme.

MSA statement

Unfortunately, after this meeting took place, relations between the various groups involved in the NASG broke down.

Therefore, we were forced to consider our position

as members of the NASG. We issued the following statement on Thursday, 20 March regarding our continued membership of the group.

“Whether or not the MSA will continue in membership of the NASG will be decided by the MSA Board of Management at their meeting on Monday, 24 March.”

At that meeting, a final decision was taken, and we said: “The MSA would have liked to stay in the NASG and use the previously agreed structure to deal with any problems that arose.

“However, the withdrawal of other groups means that in our view the NASG in its present form is not sustainable.

“Reluctantly the MSA Board has decided to withdraw from the group and will attempt to work with others to form a new group with clearly set out terms of reference.”

Peter Harvey, MSA Chairman

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News

DVSA is ‘digital conumdrum’ FRONT PAGE STORY When asked about DVLA plans to close more offices, something which had upset Stephen Smith of the CPT, John said that the closures were of little concern to ADIs, but that other aspects of the DVLA’s cash-saving reforms was a worry.

“The MSA is very concerned about the disappearance of counterpart licences. It will be impossible for a driver trainer to know not only whether a person has any endorsements on their licence, which is not vital, but whether they have any short period disqualifications (SPD). If a court disqualifies someone for a short period, it does not confiscate the licence but simply

check at the moment would appear to be a premium rate line to the DVLA. The trainer will have to pay £2.57 a minute – I think – to find out if that person is allowed to drive and they do not have an SPD. “We have talked to DVLA about developing some kind of app for a mobile phone, or whatever, that would allow people to do that in a cost-free way, so there would not be the heavy cost of ringing a premium rate number.

“The DVLA talks about cost savings but they will only be for the agency.”

It was a point that was also concerning Jay Parmar of the BVRLA: “That is a very important point. One-in-four customers wishing to rent a vehicle turns up without

“The MSA is very concerned about the disappearance of counterpart licences. It will be impossible for a driver trainer to know not only whether a person has any endorsements on their licence, which is not vital, but whether they have any short period disqualifications (SPD).” writes it on the counterpart. If the counterpart is no longer going to exist, how will the driver trainer know if a person who comes for a speed awareness course, or a red traffic light course, is legally allowed to drive? The only way to

their counterpart, and we have to phone the DVLA; 750,000 phone such calls are made annually. Once the counterpart goes, under the red tape challenge, it will mean that every single driver will need to be checked and verified. If it is a chargeable

MSA Approved

service, those checks will impose a new cost on businesses.”

Turning to the subject of DVSA efficiency, MP Chloe Smith began with a dig at ‘opinionated’ ADIs – “I am sure they have a robust set of opinions that they carry around with them in vehicles: taxi drivers and ADIs being some of the most informed members of our society, of course” – asked whether the MSA supported cost-saving measures by the agencies: “Can I just ask for other views your members may have about how these organisations can make savings for the taxpayer at a time when such savings are needed?”

John Lepine: “I think we are all in favour of DVLA, DSA and everybody else becoming digital. The problem is that, while the vast majority of our members are more than happy to embrace digitalisation, ADIs by the nature of what they do are practical people who teach real people to drive real cars. They do not have computers sitting on their knee all day. Therefore, in many cases they are not digitally aware.

“In some cases they are not able to access the digital network because of lack of broadband. It has therefore become almost impossible for a driver trainer to book a driving test for a pupil, for instance, except digitally or by telephone. Some people would like to fill in a form and send it in; they are not a vast majority, and,

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according to the Cabinet Office guidelines as we understand them, people should be able to do that, but they’re being excluded.”

John saved most of his ire for the Standards Check booking system, which the MSA has urged the DVSA to prioritise in its IT reforms, and the agency’s lack of progress on new driver reforms.

“Currently, the booking system for ADI Standards Checks is a joke and wastes a huge amount of resource, both for the agency and for driver trainers. We have been promised a new system for years and nothing has come.

“Most importantly, however, we are interested in whether a new agency (the DVSA) will be able to carry through some policy change. The policy from DSA in the past has been hopeless. They haven’t carried through any serious policies with the help of a Minister or central Government that have actually done any good. There have been all sorts of proposals down the years where we have co‑operated with DSA, such as trainer trainer registers, learners on motorways and the provision of cars fitted only with dual controls to be used on L-tests. None of these things has ever managed to be carried through. Whether that is the agency’s fault or just the machinery of Government we do not know, but we hope that the new agency might be a bit more forthright in carrying policies through.”

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Comment

March: a busy month, if ever there was!

JOHN LEPINE MBE General Manager, MSA

March proved a hectic month, with three stand-out events or issues to be tackled.

CONFERENCE: This year’s MSA Conference was, without a doubt, one of the best yet and leaves me concerned as to how we are going to top it next year when the MSA reaches its 80th anniversary.

Planning starts now and if you have any ideas for next year’s event, or any thoughts or comments about this year’s, please drop me a line.

One change could well be that, if we use a ticketing system for lunch again, next year the tickets will probably be black and white, not green and red – or was it orange? You had to be there.

On a personal note, my wife, Carol, and I were very proud to receive gifts to mark our 30 years’ service to the MSA. We can both say the time has flown by and we have both, mostly, enjoyed every minute.

Obviously we were both very young when we started so expect to be with you for a few more years.

Thanks to all those who said such kind things about our contribution to the profession.

SELECT COMMITTEE: After leaving the Conference I travelled directly to Westminster to give evidence to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee’s enquiry into Government motoring agencies, which was looking into the user perspective on this subject.

I carried with me the thoughts of Conference delegates on this issue. Their views very much echoed those of members who had contacted us earlier in the year, and whose views we included in our written evidence to the committee, submitted in February.

I think what we said in writing and what I said on the day could be summed up as “DVSA is doing well but don’t forget those who cannot – or do not – wish to do business only on the internet.”

On a personal note I have to say that Louise Ellman, the chair of this committee, is no less erudite than her fabled predecessor Gwyneth Dunwoody – but a lot less scary.

NASG: The month concluded with the effective break-up of the National Associations’ Steering Group.

A lot of effort was put in by a large number of people over a considerable amount of time to try and make this group work.

The MSA certainly felt that having worked with others to get this group up and running and to try and develop operating procedures to help it run smoothly, it was a shame that half the members resigned rather than use the procedures that were in place.

However, the MSA saw little point in proceeding and therefore decided to withdraw. Hopefully a new group will rise from the proverbial ashes and work together to further the aims and ambitions of driver trainers.

On a personal note it seems to me that it will be better if we can develop some operating procedures that we can all agree on before we start again.

10 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

Newslink Postbag. We welcome contributions from our members. Would all contributors please remember that Newslink cannot publish letters anonymously. Pen names will be used to protect the identity of the author if necessary. Please address all correspondence to The Editor, Newslink, 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP. Letters can also be sent by email, to mail@msagb.co.uk

Registrar outlines DVSA decisions

Editor’s note: A number of matters have been raised with the ADI Registrar regarding the new Standards Check including the position on role play and the booking system. This is his reply.

As you know, we consulted on the possible introduction of an on-line booking system for the new Standards Check, and the principle of a separate fee, as part of the Modernising Driver Training consultation.

Final decisions on this will be set out in the report on consultation, which is currently going through the internal clearance process.

While it is possible to introduce an on-line booking system within the wording of the current regulations, it would be necessary to further consult and amend regulations to introduce a revised ADI fee structure. As a trading fund, we have to pay for our activities through fee income.

We would be looking to fund the introduction of the on-line booking system through the resulting efficiencies that the new booking process and Standards Check would deliver.

These would include increased examiner utilisation both through the on-line booking system itself and through removing the need for the preparation of written reports after the Standards Check. Full details of the estimated costs and benefits would be set out in a Regulatory Impact Assessment at the time of any consultation on the revised fee structure.

Phasing out role play training for our examiners will also help to reduce the cost of the Standards Check process. As you know, the revised Standards Check differs from the current fault-based check test in that the examiner will be looking for evidence of demonstration of competence in the key areas. Role play, being led by the examiner, will make it more difficult for an ADI to demonstrate all of the competencies set out in the National standards.

Therefore, while agreeing that role play will remain in the regulations until October 2014, I had said that I wanted to work with the national associations to promote the benefit of an ADI presenting for Standards Check with their own pupil.

It is for this reason that the Standards Check invite doesn’t refer to a role play option. I’d much rather that an ADI tells the Bookings team in advance if they do not have a pupil at the date/time of the check. The team can then first try to find a suitable date when the ADI may be able to present with a pupil. Using email enables this to be done more quickly. I am pleased to say that so far a higher proportion of ADIs are responding to say that they will be attending their Standards Check.

I would also like to take this opportunity to respond to concerns about the withdrawal of written reports by the examiner after the Standards Check. We have published the Standard Operating Procedure and assessment form that our examiners will use when conducting the Standards Check.

When the form is read in conjunction with the examiners’ guidance and the national driver and rider training standard, it is more transparent about what DVSA is looking for. The report form itself is also much more comprehensive, and will show clearly where an ADI has and has not demonstrated the competencies.

The form has been amended and will now specifically show if the instructor has been advised to seek further training/development. A summary of that advice will also be included in the feedback section of the form.

As now, we shall continue to review a Standards Check

on receipt of a complaint, and any ADI who believes that their Standards Check has not been conducted correctly may, in accordance with S133 of the Road Traffic Act, appeal to Magistrates’ court in England and Wales and Sherrifs’ court in Scotland.

Mark Magee ADI Registrar Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Drivers in trouble with or without ESP Dear Sir, On page 18 of MSA Newslink March 2014 it states: “The main diagram shows a critical manoeuvre in a car fitted with an electronic stability programme and one without. A car coming around a sharp bend encounters a vehicle stationary in the road. The driver performs a violent swerve to avoid the car, and the ESP allows him to maintain control and avoid the other vehicle. Without ESP, his car is thrown into a spin – with possible disastrous consequences” A driver who must move to the incorrect side of the road to gain control on a bend would appear to be out of control, with or without ESP. Frank Cullinane, Dublin 11, Ireland Editor’s note: A good point, Frank though we were simply reproducing the caption as supplied by the originator of the diagram.

As all ADIs know, an ideal world would be one where technology such as ESP would not be required, as every driver would drive their car at a speed and in a manner that meant such hi-tech help isn’t required to keep the driver and other road users safe

New grades are big chance missed

Dear Sir, Interesting wording, but lexically-lax and grammatically “incorrect”.

Sadly, the new grading system for ADIs announced today will not: “help learners and their parents to identify the best instructors......”

One can’t have the ‘best’ of only two [grades available] - assuming that “FAILED” Standards Check instructors are not a viable choice!

In the months and years ahead, learners and parents may well be able to identify the ‘better’ instructors, but – sadly – DSA/DVSA has now deprived them of identifying the best.

This is an opportunity missed by the new DVSA Management Board, to make understanding easier.

A change of ADI grades to A* / A / B / FAIL would have made better sense [if necessary] of the present ‘downward scale’ of 6 / 5 / 4, by bringing it more in line with new drivers’ and parents’ complete understanding of GCSE and A-Level grades.

What’s more, there’d have been no “transition period” after April 7: conversion of existing grades could have been instantaneous.

We’ve now got a few years of co-existence of Grades 6, 5, 4 and A, B for learners and parents to pick from!

Graham Campbell Loughborough by email

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Membership benefits

MSA offers

Giving you the benefits of membership Save cash on MoTs and servicing at Halfords

Offers and discounts

Our slogan at the MSA has always been Information Representation - Services and Support to explain the benefits you get as a member.

But we want to help you in more ways than that. We know that some ADIs are struggling financially at the moment, so that’s why we are keener than ever to deliver real cost savings, special offers on goods and discounts on key services to our members, putting money back into your pocket and making your membership fee pay for itself many times over.

That‘s why we’ve negotiated special discounts with Halfords and through the EeziBuy scheme.

But that’s not all: we’re also always on the look-out for companies who are happy to offer discounts to our members. In every issue of Newslink we’re going to feature some of the best.

The goods and services you’ll see on this page will be ideally suited to ADIs: whether for the car, for the office or in line with a busy instructor’s lifestyle. So have a read of the latest offers and get saving!

NEWSLINK MEMBERSHIP OFFER

MSA members are reaping the benefit of the association’s tie-up with Halfords Autocentres, which delivers major savings across a range of products and services.

MSA members and their families are now able to access exclusive discounts on servicing and repairs at over 265 Halfords Autocentres nationwide.

Members will receive • 33% off an MoT • Up to 15% off servicing • 5% off repairs Plus a FREE 15-point check!

These translate into major savings, with over £35 off a major service and £18.10 off an MoT. MSA national chairman Peter Harvey commented: “I am delighted we have formed this partnership agreement with Halfords Autocentres. They are a trusted, well-known national brand, and with 265 centres around the country most members are within easy reach of one.

“What is particularly pleasing is that this partnership delivers real value for money to our members at a time when I know many of them are struggling with the economic downturn.

“By having your MoT and your major annual service at a Halfords Autocentre, members will save over £50 a year. When you consider that MSA membership is only £52 a year, this single deal virtually justifies your annual membership on its own.”

How to take advantage of this offer Members should visit www.halfordsautocentres.com/msa for full details of the discounts available, to find your nearest Halfords Autocentres and see what other services the company offers.

12 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

Free door panels for your tuition car When you buy any aero headerboard for just £105 plus £10 P+P from Driving School Supplies Offer runs until April 30 To take advantage of this offer, go to the MSA‘s official supplier, Driving School Supplies, at www.d-ss.co.uk. Quote this reference code CONAROFF and your current MSA membership number.

Alternatively call Driving School Supplies on 0121 328 6226 with the same information.

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Don’t forget - save cash with EeziBuy! Register now at www.MSA.eezibuy.co.uk and start saving money on key business products and services. Running a business can be costly - so start saving money now on everything from printing and computers, energy to hotels, legal services to office supplies How to use MSA EeziBuy Register at www.MSA.eezibuy.co.uk/register/php. Your MSA membership will then be verified and you will receive access to the portal within 48 hours. Once you have received confirmation of your registration, go to www.eezibuy.co.uk/MSA/log_in.php then simply click the ‘Offers’ button and choose the category(s) of interest from the black navigation bar – click on the categories and start saving money! We hope you find it beneficial.

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News

Government moves new drug-driving limit closer The Government’s ambition to create a new drug-drive limit has moved a step closer following the results of two public consultations.

The recommended limits for 16 drugs have now been approved and will see eight generally prescription and eight illicit drugs added into new regulations that will come in to force in the autumn 2014.

The new rules will mean it will be an offence to be over the generally prescribed limits for each drug and drive a vehicle, as it is with drink driving.

Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill said: “The results of the consultation is sending the strongest possible message that you cannot take illegal drugs and drive. This new offence will make our roads safer for everyone by making it easier for the police to tackle those who drive after taking illegal drugs. It will also clarify the limits for those who take medication.

“The next step is to take these limits to Parliament to see the offence come into force later this year.

“In March 2013, the department took expert advice from a medical panel on the potential drug limits that the Government

should consult on. The department accepted most of the recommendations made by the panel and has consulted on limits that are a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to deter people from taking drugs and driving.”

The limits to be included in the new regulations are not set at 0 as drugs taken for medical conditions can be absorbed in the body to produce trace effects.

It is also important to recognise that different drugs are broken down at different speeds and that is reflected in the disparities between the limits.

Therefore, the limits to be included in the new regulations are: Illicit drugs

n Benzoylecgonine, 50 µg/L n Cocaine, 10 µg/L n Delta–9–Tetrahydrocannabinol

(Cannabis and Cannabinol), 2 µg/L

n Ketamine, 20 µg/L n Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), 1 µg/L n Methylamphetamine - 10 µg/L n Methylenedioxymethaphetamine

(MDMA – Ecstasy), 10 µg/L

n Monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM –

Heroin and Morphine), 5 µg/L

Generally prescription drugs n Clonazepam, 50 µg/L n Diazepam, 550 µg/L n Flunitrazepam, 300 µg/L n Lorazepam, 100 µg/L n Methadone, 500 µg/L n Morphine, 80 µg/L n Oxazepam, 300 µg/L n Temazepam, 1000 µg/L In the consultation for amphetamine, the Government has decided that the proposed limits need to be reconsidered so that patients who take medicine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are not affected.

Ministers will therefore look to re-consult on the new threshold later this year, with an agreed limit added in to the legislation at a later date.

In the meantime the Government is working closely with the medical profession to ensure healthcare professionals and patients are informed about the new drug driving offence. Later this year will also see the start of a wider communications campaign to make sure everyone that drives knows about the new changes to the law.

Uninsured cars on the increase One in seven UK motorists have admitted to breaking the law by driving a car they were not insured to drive, with younger drivers continuing to be the age group most likely to offend (35 per cent), according to research from Money SuperMarket.

The comparison website found that one in ten motorists have driven their own car with no cover - up from six per cent last year, while a further three per cent have borrowed someone else’s car without adequate insurance to drive it.

Shockingly, 11 per cent of those who confessed to having driven without insurance admitted they did so because they were unaware of the legal requirement for car insurance.

Over a quarter (27 per cent) blamed being in between insurance policies as the reason, while seven per cent simply couldn’t be bothered to arrange insurance cover. A further nine per cent couldn’t afford to purchase car insurance.

However, a huge worry is the eight per cent who believe there is no point having insurance as they don’t think they will have a crash - up from seven per cent last year.

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 13

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News

New warning over DPFs as MOT emission rules change Drivers of diesel cars have been warned that they run the risk of falling foul of changes to the MOT law covering diesel particulate filters (DPFs).

The changes came into force in February. Prior to the change in the legislation cars were only tested on emissions levels and not whether their DPF was attached.

Now any car that should have a DPF but is found to have it missing will instantly fail.

According to Halfords Autocentres, the new rules have already left thousands of motorists facing bills of around £1,000 as a result of DPFs being removed by garages in a bid to get round emission issues. Rory Carlin from Halfords Autocentres said: “Rather than explaining why these important filters become clogged and offering a simple solution that will prevent the issue in the majority of cases, some garages have been removing the DPF. “This practice has always been illegal but some companies are continuing to advertise the service as though it is a legitimate long-term solution.

This means thousands of owners are now facing the cost of a buying a replacement DPF and having it re-fitted.”

Yet as Rory points out, a simple additive that costs only £20 can reduce the problem significantly.

“A preventative exhaust system cleaner such as Cataclean costing as little as £20 can help stop the DPF getting blocked. However, even in cases where a clogged filter has caused a warning light to come on all is not lost - a DPF cleaning and regeneration product like PowerMax is likely to solve the problem in the majority of cases for around £30.”

Newslink has previously highlighted the problems caused in some diesel cars by DPFs becoming clogged up. This is a particular concern where cars are used principally for short journeys during which the engine and exhaust

does not get hot enough to burn off the particulates that build up over time, unlike motorway journeys.

Fuel and exhaust system cleaner Cataclean not only helps all types of diesel and petrol cars pass their MOT emissions test by cleaning the vehicle’s engine but, providing it is used before the DPF has become clogged, can prevent the DPF failure by lowering soot emissions by up to 60 per cent – with further treatments once a quarter keeping it clean.

William Jones from Cataclean Global Ltd said: “The changes to the MOT test relating to DPF removal were brought about by Department for

Sharp fall in EU road deaths The number of people killed on Europe’s roads fell by eight per cent last year, following a nine per cent decrease between 2011 and 2012, provisional figures released by the European Commission show.

Commenting on the announcement, Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) said: “We welcome the reduction in the number of road deaths in Europe last year. But the fact that more than 500 lives are still being lost every single week on our roads is a reminder that Europe needs to step up its efforts.”

Speeding is a primary factor in about one-third of fatal collisions and an aggravating factor in all crashes. ETSC says one technology that could help, known as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), is available now and at modest cost. ISA should be fitted to all lorries, buses and vans to ensure speed limits are respected.

The Commission says that the number of cyclists killed has been increasing, partly due to the increase in popularity of cycling. Legislation

14 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

on the weights and dimension of lorries is currently being negotiated by the EU. ETSC says that the safety elements of the proposals, enabling a safer front end design and increased visibility, are of tantamount importance and must be given the green light as soon as possible.

Passenger seat-belt reminders are another simple piece of technology that is currently optional but could save many lives if made mandatory, according to ETSC. Avenoso commented: “The EU needs to help push advanced road safety features into the hands of the many, not the few. As long as they remain optional, take-up will remain limited.

The Commission is currently reviewing the General Safety Regulation, this is an opportunity that must not be missed.”

The European Commission also announced that a strategic target for the reduction of road safety injuries is expected to be adopted in 2015.

ETSC welcomed the move, which is long overdue.

Transport because of concerns that vehicles were being modified in a way that is was detrimental to people’s health.

“Effectively, removing the DPF undoes the work car manufacturers have done to improve emissions standards. “the message to motorists with a DPF is to keep their engine clean by using Cataclean as a preventative measure before problems arise.

“For motorists, running cars not originally fitted with a DPF, Cataclean can help a car pass its emissions test and help you save money by improving engine performance and making your car more fuel efficient.”

Testing, testing: A car goes through its emissions test during its MOT

No excuse for missing CPC deadline Lorry drivers with ‘acquired rights’ are reminded that the deadline to finish their first round of Driver CPC periodic training is 10 September 2014.

Failure to do so means they run the risk of being fined and even losing your livelihood if they don’t finish their training in time.

The Office of the Traffic Commissioner has also reminded operators to be aware of their drivers’ training hours and the 10 September 2014 deadline to avoid penalties.

To stay within the rules, all drivers must do 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years.

DVSA’s Chief Executive Alastair Peoples said: “DVSA

enforcement officers already routinely check the Driver CPC status of professional drivers.

“After the deadline they’ll be able to check whether ‘acquired rights’ lorry drivers have completed their training or are driving illegally. Not being aware of Driver CPC is not an excuse for drivers or operators”.

Joan Aitken, lead Traffic Commissioner on Driver CPC, added that operators “could also find themselves before commissioners if there are issues around the circumstances in which a driver was working without the driver qualification card (DQC), or failed to produce it”.

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Towards your CPD: The Standards Check

Standards Check: time to raise your grade they are currently doing in order to achieve a Grade A on the new Standards Check.

Let’s take a quick look at the differences between the check test and the Standards Check.

The Check Test was assessing how well we identified, analysed and remedied faults and used this as a measure to confirm that learning was taking place and value for money was being given.

If we missed a few faults we were likely to be marked down regardless of whether or not we felt it was important to focus on other areas and leave the faults for another lesson.

SUSAN McCORMACK

ADI and ADI Trainer/ Coach

B

y the time you read this article the new Standards Check will have been introduced and the 7 April will have been and gone.

This article will focus on the new grading structure and my opinion of the impact of this on the standards among ADIs. The new grading structure that replaces the existing 1 to 6 system, where 1, 2 or 3 were ‘unsatisfactory’ and 4, 5 or 6 were ‘satisfactory’, ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, respectively is, as Newslink discusses on pg 6, now simply Fail, B or A. n Fail – In order to fail the Standards Check you will either need to score fewer than 31 overall (less than 60 per cent); or score seven or fewer in the Risk Management competence; or fail to take action to prevent a safety critical incident from occurring.

If you fail your Standards Check then you will be invited to re-attend within 12 weeks. n GRADE B - A B grade will be given if you achieve a score of between 31 and 42, which represents 60 per cent or more. Gaining a B grade means you have achieved a sufficient level of competence. n GRADE A - An A grade will be given if you achieve a score of 43 to 51, which represents 85 per cent or more and means you have demonstrated an overall high standard of instruction.

You’ll remember from previous articles that there are 17 competences divided between the three broad competences of Lesson Planning, Risk Management and Teaching and Learning Strategies. Each lower competence carries a maximum of 3 points so that there are a total of 51 points available.

The DVSA has stated that it would like to see ADIs aspire to a Grade A at their Standards Check, which means the majority of ADIs would need to achieve 85% or more. This equates to eight competences at a maximum of 3 points and nine competences at 2 points (42 points). If you score just 1 or zero in one or more areas then you would need to compensate for this with a greater number of competences at a maximum of 3 points.

In 2012 / 2013 there were 16,900 check tests taken: 9,745 were graded 4, which represents 57.66 per cent; 4,103 were graded 5, which represents 24.28 per cent; and 803 achieved a grade 6, which represents just 4.75 per cent.

We cannot draw a direct comparison between the Check Test and the Standards Check because the two systems mark and assess very different things. However, it is obvious that if only 4.75 per cent of the ADI population is currently a Grade 6, the vast majority are going to have to do more than

16 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

The Check Test:

“

Was Instructor-led The relationship was hierarchical and built on the assumption that the instructor is the font and source of all knowledge and information and will pour this into the receptive pupil, who will gratefully receive it.

This relationship is frustrating for any instructor, who attempts to introduce more client-centred practices because the pupil will often ‘block’ the instructor by saying ‘I don’t know’ in answer to ‘What would you like to do today?’

It is far easier for the pupil to sit back and be told what to do because the pupil knows that the instructor is in charge and will determine when the pupil is ready for their test.

• Focused on fault-based behavioural change The Check Test relied on the understanding that people will learn how to drive safely through repetitive practice that focuses on faults and examples of poor driving practice; rather than strengths and good examples of driving practice.

• Used the core competencies: identify faults, analyse faults, remedy faults The principle or learning theory behind the Check Test was that people learn best when their faults are identified, analysed and remedied. This is where the idea of repetitive practice comes into

play and it is a form of rote learning. We know there are pitfalls in this because how many times have you had to tell someone yet again to do something that you only taught them a week ago?

On the other hand, the Standards Check focuses on how well we set goals in the belief that this is how to give value for money and ensure learning takes place.

If we focus on goal-setting then people get to grips with how they learn most effectively and how their views, values, opinions and beliefs impact on the way they control the vehicle.

They understand how to make choices and decisions and are better equipped at anticipating the consequences of their actions than someone, who has been taught to drive through rote learning.

The Standards Check:

• Is client-centred The relationship is equal and based on mutual trust and respect. The belief is that learning comes from within, rather than being transferred from the instructor to the pupil. The learner has all the resources and information they need in order to learn how to drive safely. It needs to be drawn out by the instructor.

The relationship needs to be non-judgemental so that the customer feels comfortable to express their opinions and explore how their emotional state affects their cognitive processes and behaviour.

• Recognises there is an inextricable link between thoughts, feelings and behaviour The way we behave is a result of how we think and how we feel.

• Produces long-lasting behavioural change Traditional instruction that focuses on core competences of fault identification, analysis and remedy does not produce long-lasting behavioural change for everyone.

Changes in driving behaviour that go beyond the test come about because individuals understand

Managing risk on the lesson is crucial: scoring seven or fewer in the Risk Management competence; or failure to take action to prevent a safety critical incident from occurring, will result in a Fail grade

www.msagb.com

how their personality impacts on their driving decisions.

• Focuses on goal setting I devoted a whole article to goal setting because this, for me, encapsulates the fundamental difference between the check test and traditional driver training; and the Standards Check and client-centred learning. The achievement of the goal over-rides the need to deal with faults.

To be crystal clear on this – the car must be kept safe. You will fail your Standards Check (and quite rightly so) if you do not step in and ensure that you, your customer, the vehicle and other road users are not put at risk. However, changing the goal to focus on yet another fault that has arisen because you perhaps did not select an appropriate route is going to do nothing to meet the two fundamental aims of any driving lesson: that learning must take place; and value for money must be given.

• Accelerates learning If someone takes responsibility for their learning by determining what they want to achieve or how they want to feel by the end of the lesson then their learning is accelerated.

I believe that the new Standards Check is an excellent opportunity for us as ADIs to raise our standards and learn how to deliver top-quality driver training that results in thinking, selfdetermining drivers, who understand how their personality affects their driver risk.

The assessment process built into the form SC1 empowers us to take control of our own development and decide what we want to do to improve the way we deliver value for money and ensure that learning takes place.

Towards your CPD: The Standards Check Susan McCormack has been in the driver training industry for over 25 years as an ADI, instructor trainer and producer of training materials, and has an MSc in Driver Behaviour and Education from Cranfield University.

She is a director of Tri-Coaching Partnership Limited, which delivers driver training and coaching courses to all driver trainers. In particular, the company offers a BTEC Level 4 and Level 3 in Coaching for Driver Development, as well as a two-day course called ‘aCCeLerate’.

Visit the website for further information: www.tri-coaching partnership.co.uk.

Susan can be contacted on 07817 646970.

Tri-Coaching to host major conference Tri-Coaching Partnership Limited, in conjunction with the University of East London, is pleased to host ‘Raising Awareness’, the International Conference for Coaching in Driver Education 2014.

The Conference takes place on Monday, 23 June 2014 at the University of East London Docklands Campus.

For more information and to reserve a place please contact us on 0800 058 8009 or email info@tri-coaching partnership.co.uk or call or text us on 07740 174 893.

This event is aimed at driving instructors and all other driver training and road safety professionals.

The ‘Raising Awareness’ Conference is designed to bring together academics and road safety practitioners. Each can benefit from the other’s experience and take away ideas and information, as well as tips and techniques about how to deliver driver training on all levels to

ensure individuals become safer road users.

Among the speakers already confirmed are Dr Gregor Bartl, who spear-headed the European projects, MERIT and HERMES; Dr Lisa Dorn, reader at Cranfield University, whose work on psychological approaches to driver training and the development of in-car telematics to manage risky driving behaviours makes her a leading academic in this field; and Professor David Crundall, who has spent years researching the causes of crashes and the way the brain works in terms of filtering information.

Other speakers are still to be announced for this must-not-be-missed event of 2014.

For more details, contact Tri-Coaching Partnership on 07740 174893 or email info@tri-coaching partnership.co.uk

“Raising Awareness Conference is designed to bring together academics and road safety practitioners.

Each can benefit from the other’s experience and take away ideas and information, as well as tips and techniques about how to deliver driver training...”

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 17

www.msagb.com

Towards your CPD: The Standards Check

PHILIP BURMAN

ADI and Author

I

was lucky as a PDI because the person who helped me to qualify was not only a very good instructor, he had also been a teacher. So, as well as being trained for the instructional test, I received a certain amount of education in the art of teaching.

Not long after my ADI registration I studied to gain an additional teaching certificate. Why did I do that?

Because I knew I needed more in my tool box, so to speak.

Fortunately, the knowledge I gained during that course has proved very useful ever since. And ever since I’ve also continued to consume everything I could about teaching and learning – often going outside normal ADI channels to gain what I considered to be unique insights into the subject.

As my skills improved I noticed pupils got more out of their lessons. When this happened they would take more lessons, too. Compared to me, colleagues needed far more pupils to reach anywhere near the amount of hours I had each week. My fellow ADIs continually begged me to tell them the secret of my success – NOT! Most could not care less about any teaching ability I might possess, what I did or how I did it. Generally I kept my mouth shut, although the few who did seek my advice clearly benefited.

When I first came across coaching I discovered that the coach encourages the client to work out their own answers to problems. I found this was effective in other situations, too.

Here’s an example from around that time, which I used with my daughter. She now owns a thriving business but when she began, aged 22, she would often ask my advice on marketing matters. Presenting me with an idea, I could see the advantages – but my big mistake was also explaining potential disadvantages, because one time she responded with “Dad, you’re always putting my ideas down!” Oh dear!

So I changed my approach to coaching and replied along the lines of: “That’s an interesting idea. Are you going to try it out to see how it works?” She needed to find out one way or the other for herself.

In the end we really can’t make people do what we think is best, we have to allow them to ‘take ownership’ – in other words, reach and act on their own conclusions.

There’s nothing new here, as I’m sure you know from that old adage ‘A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still’. We tell pupils what to do, don’t we? And if they follow our advice they’ll pass.

But ask yourself this – will they continue to do as we’ve taught when their test is but a distant memory?

Now the ADI Standards Check is finally upon us what have you done about it – or what are you going to do about it? Perhaps you are not sure. For instance, you could do any of the following (but I hope you don’t): n Ignore available advice, just as my colleagues of years ago did. n Pay no attention to the requirements of the new test and hope for the best instead. n Consider getting help, but leave it until the last few days before your ADI Standards Check appointment.

Most ADIs will need to put in some effort in order to follow the new guidelines. Just as the skills you teach have to become a normal part of a pupil’s driving, different instructional techniques have to become a normal part of your teaching – and undoubtedly this will take time to absorb, put into practice and feel comfortable with. Furthermore, I can

18 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

ADI Standards Check – where do you fit in? definitely see problems ahead for B-grade ADIs if other driving schools should advertise ‘All our instructors are Grade A’, or independent ADIs advise potential pupils in others ways that an A Grade ADI is far better than a B Grade ADI. They might even have it plastered on the side of their car!

Do you not now owe it to yourself to start a programme of improvement without delay? There are various courses and seminars you can go to. Also, I have what I believe are easy to understand manuals to help you obtain an A Grade, and you can purchase these from www.best4adi.com.

I

’d like to tell you how they came about. After several years working for a driving school, I decided to branch out on my own. Soon I had enough work to take on others and so began my multi-car driving school.

Previous experience with colleagues led me to want my ADIs to have good teaching skills, so I held regular training sessions and sat in on lessons.

I realised written materials for ADIs to refer to were much needed, but the instructional books I came across in my opinion seemed over complicated, often irrelevant and far from helpful. I decided to put my thoughts on teaching methods into handouts instead. In time these evolved into manuals.

On one occasion I showed them to my SE. After reading

them he suggested I send them to the DSA for approval, which eventually I did. I was delighted when the DSA Technical Department evaluated and accredited them.

Each item the SE assesses during the ADI Standards Check is covered in the manuals. For example, the manual ‘Lesson Planning Made Easy’ shows how to produce a lesson plan which more than satisfies the DVSA’s ‘A’ Grade requirements.

Don’t worry about the time factor involved with lesson planning. In consultation with the pupil it takes no more than a few minutes if you use the pre-printed sheet provided with this manual. It’s downloadable too.

With this and the associated online syllabus with its clear goals and targets, pupils can easily complete a lesson plan at home, print it out and bring it to their lesson - what a wonderful idea for client-centred learning! Picture the amazement on the SE’s face if you did that! Plus, on this sheet, at the end of their lesson, your pupils (in consultation with you) can mark their own progress.

Now I’d like to tell you about another download which you may find useful. It’s called ‘Eleven Embarrassing Errors ADIs Make and How to Avoid Them’. It’s totally free and without obligation. Just go to www.best4adi.com to get it.

Finally, a reminder – your ADI Standards Check. Have you decided where you fit in yet? The ‘do something’ category or the ‘do nothing’ category? See you next time, then!

y m le d n a h I o d How ? k c e h C s d r a d n a St

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Towards your CPD

In a new series of monthly advice columns, Steve Garrod will look at the components of learning to drive and offer an easy-to-follow description for you to give to pupils

Helping the pupil to decipher mystery of the roundabout

A

t a recent event, run by a local Chamber of Commerce, I was asked by a fellow attendee about the correct way to navigate roundabouts. And no, the person asking the question wasn’t a learner!

There appears to be a lot of confusion over this subject and, when dealing with qualified drivers, many ADIs feel they may be seen as patronising when covering it. Rest assured, from the confusion I listened to many drivers could do with brushing up on their skills!

The best place to get the information is from the Official Highway Code. It gives all road users advice on how to deal with roundabouts, starting with ‘On

approaching a roundabout take as much information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you in to the correct lane.’

This is where it starts to go wrong for many drivers. They don’t take in all available information.

The rule states ‘Use Mirror Signal Manoeuvre at all stages and decide as early as possible which exit you need to take.’ For the benefit of this article we have broken the manoeuvre in to Position, Speed and Look. Additional help can be found on the information board on approach to the roundabout. As a general rule we can treat the roundabout as a clock face,

which is helpfully displayed in the Northern Ireland edition of the Highway Code. When you are reading the information board always assume you are entering the junction from the bottom, or at the 6 O’Clock position. As with a clock, the movement on a roundabout is clockwise. Deciding in which lane you will enter the roundabout will depend on your intended exit.

Applying Mirror - Signal Manoeuvre

Mirror. When you can see you are approaching a roundabout begin by using your mirrors. This will help you remain aware of the speed and position of all the road users around you.

Signalling. When intending to take the first exit (to the left) you should signal left on your approach and keep the signal going until you have entered your new road.

When turning right you should signal right on approach and then signal left just as you are passing the exit before the one you intend to take.

In other words, if you are taking the third exit you should signal left as you are passing the second exit, to prevent giving a misleading signal.

When approaching a roundabout intending to take an exit directly opposite (12 O’Clock position) you should not normally need to signal on approach but signal left after passing the exit before the one you want. (As a guide, the safe rule is you should only

signal left on approach to a roundabout if you are taking the first exit) If you are approaching to take an exit beyond the 12 O’Clock position, or to make a U-turn, signal right on approach and then left before you exit.

Position. As a general rule keep left if your exit is before the 12 O’Clock position and keep right if it after this position. If your exit is at the 12 O’Clock position you often have a choice of lanes, depending on traffic flow, unless road markings direct you otherwise. The lane with the least traffic is often known as the ‘route of least resistance’.

Problems arise when there are three or more lanes to select from on the approach to the roundabout. This is where you need to look more carefully at the road signs and road markings.

The problems with road markings is that vehicles stop on them, so in busy times they may be hard to detect, so looking for other information, such as other vehicles’ signals, may give us a clue.

For example, if you can see a number of vehicles signalling either right or left and your intended exit is an intermediate one then it would make sense to approach in a more central position.

Often roundabouts are marked to take in to account traffic flow and to reduce hold ups. They may direct traffic in to two or more lanes for one particular exit, which is often the case if traffic is to join a major road. Often the

ABI picks hi-tech route to cut road crashes The ABI has called for UK motor manufacturers to fit autonomous emergency braking as standard on all new cars.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) uses radar, lasers and optical sensors to identify other vehicles and pedestrians and automatically brakes if the driver does not respond in time to avoid a collision or lessen its impact.

Currently, only 23 per cent of new vehicles available in the UK have AEB fitted as standard or as an option, despite the fact that research shows that AEB could lead to an 18 per cent reduction in personal injury claims

20 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

following road traffic accidents Speaking at The Future of Road Safety conference organised by Inside Government, the ABI’s Scott Pendry said: “Even with clear safety benefits, three-quarters of new vehicles available to UK motorists do not have autonomous emergency braking fitted as standard or as an option. This must change.

“Fitting this technology as the norm will not only further improve road safety, but will significantly lower insurance costs as AEB is taken into account in the motor insurance group rating system.”

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more central lanes will be marked for traffic intending to exit in one or more lanes, then once on the roundabout itself these lanes may split in to individually marked lanes. But once again the information will usually be on approach.

Speed. It is important to approach at a speed that allows you to read the road signs, look for the road markings, change lanes where necessary and identify a safe gap in the traffic in which to proceed.

Look. It is also important to approach at a speed that gives you enough time to look for pedestrians who may be about to cross one of the exits. Other vulnerable road users include cyclists and motorcyclists. It is possible that they could be obscured by the large A-pillars fitted in modern vehicles. Large vehicles, including those with trailers, need more room to manoeuvre and might have to take a different course or straddle lanes either approaching or on the roundabout.

It is important to watch for their signals and to stay out of their blind spots by avoiding driving along side them.

Mini roundabouts. Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles must drive around the central markings except large vehicles. Consider the best position on approach to avoid driving over the markings. Often it is better to position nearer to the left when turning right, providing you are not blocking the path of other vehicles or unless road marking direct you

Towards your CPD

otherwise.

For double or multiple miniroundabouts treat each one the same and give way to the right. Information boards on approach will help you to select the correct lane on your approach.

Deciphering roundabouts Do you agree with this script?

Let Newslink know via mail@msagb.com

MSA Courses

The MSA is accredited by Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) to deliver nationally recognised qualifications.

The first course available is the popular Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS). PTLLS is the initial qualification for new teachers or ADIs wishing to move into adult education and classroom teaching.

The cost of the course is ÂŁ360, and it will be run by Steve Garrod who has been involved in running teacher training courses for over 20 years, and we are delighted to be working alongside him on this exciting project.

For further information email Steve at: msacpd@gmail.com

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 21

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Towards Your CPD: Drivers with disabilities

Inbrief Brake offers safe driving toolkit Brake, the road safety charity, is urging Londoners to attend one of its 2young2die training course on Thursday, 17 April to help them to spread vital road safety messages to young people.

Brake and insurers Marmalade host the event, which gives people who have connections with young people the tools they need to educate them on road safety.

Educators, community campaigners, driving instructors, emergency services personnel and young people themselves are invited to attend the course on Holborn Viaduct. Course attendees are shown how to run discussionbased workshops around six core principles of road safety, asking young people to drive slowly, while sober, when switched on and focused - but with phones switched off; secure, and sustainably.

For more information or to book online, visit www.2young2die.org. uk or contact Brake on 01484 559909 or admin@brake.org.uk.

AA opens new driving venture AA DriveTech is launching a range of experiences for businesses looking to improve driver safety in a new business partnership with the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, near Lutterworth in Leicestershire.

AA DriveTech will use Bruntingthorpe as its base for businessfocused road safety events for business drivers, professional drivers, VIP and security drivers.

Delegates will enjoy a number of different and unusual driving experiences including skid control, high- and low-speed ‘brake, steer and avoid’, off-road 4x4 driving, security and vehicle dynamics.

Jim Kirkwood, Managing Director of AA DriveTech said: “We’re delighted to be working with Bruntingthorpe as their driving event facilities are second to none. ”

Low marks for roads’ white lines Half of all road markings on England’s highways are so worn that they need replacing immediately or very soon, according to a survey of nearly 4,000km roads.

LifeLines England, a report based on the survey carried out by the Road Safety Markings Association, found that 52 per cent of markings on motorways, 42 per cent on dual carriageways, and 48 per cent on single carriageways all need replacing immediately or need to be scheduled for replacement now.

22 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

What’s best for you?

Rica on hand for clear advice on car buying The MSA has teamed up with Rica, a specialist UK consumer research and information charity that focuses on work with older and disabled people, to provide information and advice to ADIs looking to work with drivers who have disabilities.

ADIs who work in this sector are often asked for advice from their pupils on a range of issues, including how they can continue driving once they have passed their L-test and the best vehicles to buy.

In this issue, Rica’s experts offer advice on the right-sized car.

Do you need a car that will transport special kit? Do you need to transport your older relative’s mobility scooter or a wheelchair? What happens when an older relative finds they can’t bend down to get into the car as well as they used to and need a higher passenger or driver seat?

A new online car measurement search resource from Rica (http://www.rica.org.uk/content/car-search) can help answer these and a host of other questions that are particularly invaluable to drivers with disabilities.

Measured by technicians at the ADAC laboratory in Germany, the data can’t be found anywhere else as easily. It includes driver and passenger seat height, the size of the door aperture, the door sill height to the ground, boot sill height, headroom, legroom and the front door opening angle. Tick the right search boxes and you can shortlist suitable vehicles.

Each car has a factsheet including photos to download or print – with over 1,000 car models featured.

In addition, Rica has published a consumer guide called: Driving safely for life: A guide on keeping safe and driving for as long as possible.

The guide explains to older drivers: • exactly what the law says about their ability to drive • how they can best assess their capabilities, for example, by visiting a mobility centre • what modifications can be made to their vehicles and their driving habits to keep them on the road longer • how, if they do stop driving, they can still maintain a good quality of life Driving safely for life is available as a print guide free of charge except for postage. Send a large (A4) self-addressed envelope with 69p in stamps to: Rica, Unit G03, The Wenlock, 50 - 52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU. The guide is also available online at www.rica.org.uk/ driving-safely-for-life About Rica

Rica focuses on work with older and disabled people, researches and publishes consumer reports, providing practical information both online www. rica.org.uk and as print guides. Rica is accredited by the Information Standard as providing research and information of the highest quality. Its research and information covers a range of topics, but here we highlight the specialist car information aimed at older/disabled drivers.

Want to know more?

To see the online car measurement search resource, go to http://www.rica.org.uk/content/ car-search

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Conference 2014 March 22 • Bristol

“

Professional ADIs... we want to highlight your qualities and put the bad ADIs out of business...

“

MSA

Question time: Chief driving examiner Lesley Young with MSA general manager John Lepine at the MSA Conference

Conference 2014 M

SA general manager John Lepine hailed Conference 2014 as one of the best the association has organised for several years after a bumper turn-out of members and non-members packed the main hall and filled the workshops to hear presentations on topics ranging from young driver insurance and performance, taking your career ‘beyond the L’ and ‘blue lights’ response.

However, top of the agenda for all present was surely learning more about the new Standards Check. Chief Driving Examiner Lesley Young delivered the keynote address, in which she stressed the positives ADIs could take from the new assessment of their ability, while MSA national chairman Peter Harvey held two workshops in which he went through the Standards Check in detail.

In between sessions in the main hall and the workshops, delegates enjoyed networking in the bustling exhibition area, catching up with old friends and exchanging views on the latest news and changes to the driver testing and training regime.

All-in-all, a great day, part of a brilliant weekend, delivering really effective CPD to delegates which will stand them in good stead for years to come.

On the next few pages we carry reports on the day.

Q&A with Lesley Young Despite the many changes since the merger of the DSA and VOSA, “there are no plans to close the Axis Building in Nottingham, nor relocate the agency away from the city,” said Lesley. In addition, “the DVSA is still paying the lease on Stanley House.”

24 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

Lesley Young answers questions to a group of eager delegates after her keynote address. The chief driving examiner was happy to talk one-to-one with members throughout the morning

Role play on Standards Check: What’s the story?

Conference moved to end the confusion over the use of role play on the new Standards Check.

Many ADIs have used this option on Check Tests, often because they lack a pupil bank as they are not ‘traditional’ ADIs, rather, they are fleet driver trainers or focus on speed awareness courses.

Lesley Young made it clear that there was no facility for role play on the Standards Check; it did not fit in with the new Check’s aims. She added that the largest single complaint the agency received over Check Tests concerned role play, with ADIs claiming that the SEs did not ‘perform’ the role well enough.

However, to scrap role play required a change in regulations, which takes six months, so technically it would still be available. If you want to use role play on your Standards Check in the next six months you must contact the DVSA as soon as your appointment comes through. They will then rearrange your appointment – until after the time at which role play will be barred.

The MSA agrees with scrapping role play but has sympathy with those ADIs who cannot find a pupil to take on the Check. The problem as we see it is that the date and time of your Standards Check is imposed on you by the DVSA, and for those driver trainers in the corporate world this can make it hard to find a pupil to fit in with your needs.

To ease this situation the MSA believes the DVSA must make an online booking system for Standards Checks available to ADIs, allowing them to pick the date and time of the check when they know they can bring an appropriate pupil. The MSA believes that if given three months’ notice, most ADIs can find someone to teach on the test.

Lesley agreed that this would be an ideal solution but the agency’s IT team was struggling to adapt the DVSA’s website to include this option. We will keep up pressure to ensure this happens.

Standards Check? It’s no problem but make sure you know the ADI’s ‘bible’ The DVSA is on the side of committed, professional ADIs who want to improve standards...

– and you’ve got nothing to fear from the new Standards Check if you fit that description, chief driving examiner Lesley Young told conference in her keynote address.

The Standards Check was a key part of the agency’s commitment to improve the standard of learner driver training, the L-test and road safety in general.

Lesley highlighted the changes that her agency was planning. Its new chief executive, Alastair Peoples, was determined to drive up standards and was particularly concerned over the L-test pass rate, which stubbornly refuse to rise above its current level, of around 50 per cent. It was important that pupils on L-test came with the complete skill-set they needed not just to pass the test but to continue as safe drivers for life.

Key to this was improving ADI standards and the agency was keen to make more of its highest ranked instructors. Lesley believed the Standards Check would achieve this: “We want to make you, the professional ADIs here today, appeal more to the public.

“We want to highlight your qualities and put the bad ADIs out of business.”

Promoting pass rates and Standards Check grades on the DVSA website was one way this could be done, she said, and there was an exciting opportunity to use forthcoming Department for Transport Think! campaigns to improve public awareness of the different grades of instructors.

“We want to add a ‘learning to drive’ component to Think!’s 2015 programme. This could include details of how to find the better instructors and highlight Standards Check grades and what they represent,” she said.

Turning to the Standards Check itself, Lesley

stressed that every ADI should view the National Standard for Driver and Rider Training as their ‘driver training bible’.

The new Check itself gives instructors a better opportunity to showcase their skills compared to the old Check Test. The fault-based nature of the Check Test could be demoralising, while the Standards Check was more focused on making sure your lessons were built around the client.

During her career as an SE (Check Tests), Lesley had grown tired of seeing too many ADIs deliver a pre-set lesson – “virtually always on manoeuvres, and about 80 per cent of them on the turn in the road”. The Standards Check offered a new approach, with clear assessment criteria and a switch in emphasis to make lessons more relevant to the pupil.

The new grades have caused some controversy, she admitted. The DVSA was clearly disappointed that no consensus had emerged from its consultations with industry groups. While some ADI groups had suggested a simple pass or fail structure, others wanted it to be more complex. The DVSA itself was determined to reward those ADIs who performed best on the Standards Check by grading them above other instructors. As a result, Lesley viewed the new ‘A, B and F’ grades as an ideal half-way house.

The transition from the old grading system to the new one was proving complicated, however.

Lesley admitted to being frustrated that it could take four years for the last Check Test grades to leave the system. Therefore, it was likely that grades would be automatically switched over at some point, with Grade 4s becoming Grade B ADIs, and Grade 6 holders, Grade As. The question of Grade 5s was the stumbling block, however.

Every ADI could expect one Standards Check per four-year ADI licence period. It could be that to ease the transfer of grades from the old system to the new some ADIs who have had a Check Test recently could be asked to attend a Standards

Check a lot sooner than they thought likely.

Away from the Standards Check, the driving test could see major changes in the near future.

Lesley was setting up a working group, with ADI involvement, to look again at the L-test.

Since its creation in 1935 it has remained a largely skill-based exam and there were question marks over whether it matched modern demands.

The DVSA wanted to get over the hurdle of young people not seeing the current learning to drive programme as a realistic process that gave

Q&A with Lesley Young Would reforming the driving test lead to a longer test?

“Very unlikely. An extension would lead to fewer tests per day, and have major cost implications as a result. Any change would be within the current timeframe of one hour.” them the skills they needed for a lifetime on the road: “We have to get away from this perception that we still see from too many young people, that ‘you start to learn to drive after you pass your test’ .”

Changes had been made to the test marking sheet, the DL25, to make it clearer and easier to follow. The agency was still looking into taking the form itself into the digital world, with examiners using tablets to record information, but this was still being looked into after hitting some IT stumbling blocks.

She praised the new HPT part of the theory test; the CGI allowed the test to be made more realistic and challenging – “we can now create dangerous and realistic scenarios with CGI which we obviously couldn’t do before when it was filmed.”

There was also greater scope for creating challenging driving scenes involving night-time driving and in bad weather.

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 25

MSA

Conference 2014 March 22 • Bristol

Welcome guest: Peter Harvey greets Garry Hawkes before his address on blue lights to conference

Adding ‘blue lights’ to your lessons will do emergency drivers a favour “... help us educate the public over how to respond correctly when they see emergency service vehicles approaching.”

His ideal response? “It’s simple: stop in a safe place when possible.”

He went on to outline the many problems members of the public create for ‘blue lights’ drivers – often with the best of intentions.

“You will often see motorists pull over to the side of the road immediately they see or hear blue lights and sirens. Great – only it’s no help if they stop opposite a parked car, or by a pedestrian island and we can’t get passed.

“Blue lights drivers would rather make steady 20-30mph progress behind a driver who knows they are there than try to squeeze 12 tonnes of fire engine through a narrow gap.”

He accepted that drivers were often nervous about being followed by a fire appliance or ambulance on an emergency call but stressed that while their drivers are taught to be assertive on the road, they will not bully other road users. “If they can see there is nowhere to go, they will sit back a little, switch off the sirens and wait for a safe spot for you to pull out of the way.”

He warned road users against pulling into bus lanes, however. “We can use bus lanes on an emergency call, and will do so. You cannot and you will be penalised.”

Garry outlined the huge improvements made in the training of emergency service drivers over the years. Prior to 1996 drivers took traditional LGV training and then were dropped on the job to learn how to be a fire engine driver as they went along. This regime didn’t take into account the skills needed in handling a fire appliance or other blue lights vehicle. Thankfully, since 1996 drivers now

26 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

undertake specialist Emergency Response Driving (ERD) Training which gives them the knowledge to handle both the vehicles, the pressures of the job and other road users.

It is a part of the job that training has to be done ‘live’ and as a result trainers are very forthright – there are no dual controls available! – but thankfully, no crashes have happened during training – “apart from the odd slow speed prang when they are parking back at the station!”

The training places a huge emphasis on hazard awareness, with trainees often using commentaries to highlight oncoming potential problems, and they are trained to look far further ahead than a traditional driver.

The big question he was often asked was “what should I do if an emergency vehicle appears?” The simple answer was stop when safe. Garry ran through the list of ‘no-nos’: not on the brow of a hill, opposite parked cars or pedestrian islands, and don’t go through red lights or contravene other road regulations

Blue lights facts Emergency vehicles are allowed to go through red lights and speed but only where it is safe to do so. Inappropriate use of speed is an offence, as is dangerous driving.

So to is breaking a red light if it causes another road user to change speed or direction.

The use of sirens is banned between 11pm and 7am unless it is considered vital.

At those times drivers rely purely on flashing lights though that causes a problem in summer when a 4am shout could take place in bright light, making it harder for other road users to spot an emergency vehicle.

They are not allowed to cross the double white lines... or contravene traffic instructions such as ‘No Entry’, go the wrong way down a one-way street or ignore a ‘no U-turn’ sign.

such as no entry/one-way streets. Blue light drivers do not want to push you into breaking the law.

He was concerned that blue lights vehicles were not even mentioned in the DVSA’s National Driver and Rider Training syllabus, and issued a plea for delegates to introduce training on how to handle them into their lesson plans. “The Highway Code has a section on best practice but it is wordy and complicated. The only reason most learners will be aware of what to do if approached by a blue lights is if they are either very diligent and read the Highway Code thoroughly, they chance upon a question in their theory test or, quite possibly, if a blue lights vehicle approaches during a lesson.

“I know that many ADIs will improvise some training on how to handle an approaching emergency vehicle if one appears on a lesson, but this is pure luck.

“As a result, most new drivers start off driving post-test with no firm knowledge on how to handle blue lghts. Let’s change that so they know how to respond.

“If every ADI could add ‘handling blue lights’ to their lesson planning it would make a huge amount of difference to our drivers.”

“

Blue lights drivers’ principal aim is always for the driver to get the vehicle to its destination safely: no emergency is so urgent that it merits risking the lives of other road users...

“

Garry Hawkes, driver trainer, Avon Fire & Rescue Service and Chairman of the National Blue Light Users’ Conference, issued a plea to conference delegates:

Conference exhibitors No MSA Conference would be possible without our principal sponsors and exhibitors. We appreciate their support - and our members showed their appreciation by talking to their representatives during the many networking sessions available during conference

Coaching tips: The TriCoaching Partnership was in attendance, with its representatives offering advice to delegates on high-level driver training and its unique services

On offer: Working hard in the exhibition area at Conference were our invaluable supporters: clockwise, from top right, the team from Driving Instructor Services; Christine from TWD Accountants; the Tri-Coaching Partnership; right and above, Driving School Supplies’ bustling stand, ably manned by owner Naresh and his wife Trupti; and top picture, BG Insurance representatives Josh Lincoln and Mandy Smith talk insurance to two conference delegates

More exhibitors and sponsors: see pg 29 MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 27

MSA

Conference 2014 March 22 • Bristol

I’ll take you through it: Driving School Office was on hand to showcase its services to ADIs (right) while far right, Steve Garrod outlines the PTLLS course.

Below, Novus’ in-car camera systems were a popular addition to the exhibition hall, while (bottom), TTC and ADI NDI had lots to chat about with delegates

Goodyear steps in to deliver good driving lessons to the UK’s schools Goodyear Tyres takes its responsibility towards motorists’ safety very seriously, as you can imagine...

– but as Kate Rock, consumer and brand PR manager, explained in her presentation to conference, its involvement in this field was going much further than simply ensuring good quality tyres are fitted to your car.

The company has been working to improve the attitudes of young drivers and was leading a new call for driver education to be given to young people in schools.

A Europe-wide survey of 17-24s had unearthed some alarming findings, Kate said.

Knowledge of the Highway Code was very poor – despite respondents having passed their theory tests fairly recently. As a result Goodyear had launched its Driving Academy, which went into schools to deliver lessons on good driving behaviour long before pupils were old enough to start to learn to drive.

The aim was to imprint good habits into young people before peer pressures led to them developing poor ones.

As well as listening to lectures on safe, responsible driving, pupils were given a go on an interactive driving simulator before slipping behind the wheel of a real car on the school grounds.

28 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

The academy was rebalancing what Goodyear saw as a major flaw in the current schools curriculum, said Kate, in that at present road safety was not mentioned at all, nor was it covered in PSHE lessons.

This was a major oversight by the Department of Education as there was a need to educate people from early age. It was clear from the UK experience of Pass Plus that new drivers were not keen on learning post-test; this reinforces the need to influence young people from an early age about good driving behaviour.

As part of Goodyear’s research into this subject it had surveyed ADIs across Europe – with over 200 MSA members taking part out of 2,700 across Europe. There were many areas where instructors in different countries share common ground: the vast majority want to teach a life skill, and were concerned about the malevolent pressures placed on novice drivers over speed, drugs and alcohol. A growing concern was the number of distractions available to young people when driving, such as mobile telephony and car gadgets. It was commonly agreed that schools should endeavour to teach safe use of such technology.

Many wanted to have more controls on drivers immediately post-test; 77 per cent wanted to see graduated licences, according to the Goodyear survey. However, it appears that curfews are more popular than restrictions on engines or passenger numbers.

It was a commonly accepted that improving skills was not the issue in this sector: it was changing attitudes.

Across Europe only 21 per cent of ADIs think that those who have recently passed their L-tests have the knowledge they need to drive safely, with too many poorly influenced by their peers.

A lack of road safety education throughout Europe was a major issue.

On the test itself, Europe’s ADIs wanted to see more emphasis on ‘real world’ driving than on manoeuvres, and the opportunity to explore driving in challenging conditions – poor weather, bad light, night-time – would be popular.

The Goodyear survey also found that instructors were keen on post-test top-up lessons.

Delegates were presented with a copy of the survey to consider its findings in more depth.

Conference exhibitors ADI-NDI’s Tina Janson-Caddel chats to a delegate during one of the networking sessions in the exhibition area

Networking at Conference - more photographs on next pages How does it work: Delegates test out the latest software from Theory Test Pro (left) while Adrian Hide chats to Emma from the company (above)

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VISIT www.adindi.co.uk or Call 0845 437 9630 FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/adindi.independentassociates Graham Feest at the AIRSO stand, talking to Dave Foster. AIRSO is a long-standing supporter of the MSA Conference, and many of the delegates are enthusiastic supporters of its work

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MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL24/02/2014 2014 n10:04 29

MSA

Conference 2014 March 22 • Bristol

Conference workshops:::::::::::

Getting down to work The most significant change in the ADI world for decades...

... or just a simpler and more accurate way of assessing what you’ve always done in the past?

That was the question delegates were wrestling with at the MSA Conference when the spotlight moved on to the DVSA’s new Standards Check. Such was demand for information on this subject that the conference schedule was changed so MSA national chairman Peter Harvey could deliver two workshops on the Check and how ADIs should respond to it.

Launched on April 7, it promises to offer ADIs the chance to show off their skills while delivering a lesson pitched to the pupil’s requirements. It was important that ADIs were familiar with the National Driver and Rider Training Standards, as this was the backdrop against which your lesson was assessed on the Standards Check.

But while this might sound frightening, Peter was at pains to stress that there was nothing to be too concerned about as long as you had kept up to date with the DVSA’s new Driver and Rider Training Standards ‘curriculum’ – or bible, as Lesley Young had described it earlier in the day. He ran through the assessment process and core competencies, highlighting the importance of risk management – a score of fewer than seven was an outright fail, no matter what other marks the ADI received elsewhere, as it indicated the lesson either placed the car in danger or that the instruction was dangerous in itself. Peter stressed that giving instructions clearly and in good time was also critical.

“The Standards Check is very similar to the Check

The Standards Check Problems ahead? It was pointed out that there was a real possibility that the transition between the Check Test and Standards Check would be difficult.

“People who have only recently taken their Check Test could receive a surprising recall for a Standards Check,” said Peter.

His advice was to contact the DVSA and point this out if the Check Test had been very recent.

30 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

Test – if anything, it is slightly easier as it offers more flexibility and control over what you do with the pupil.”

He implored delegates not to use the Standards Check for a lesson on manoeuvres – Lesley Young had made that same point earlier in the day. Instead, discuss the lesson with the pupil, but feel free to adapt it at any time if you feel that’s what he or she needs.

As an example, Peter explained what had happened to him on a recent Check Test. A plan to do a lesson on

The Standards Check At the end of the Standards Check the ADI will be given a de-brief. This must be held in private, said Peter. It must not be done in front of the pupil or other ADIs in the test centre. Insist on this – politely. dual carriageways and roundabouts was threatened when the pupil stalled the car several times within the first couple of minutes of driving. As a result Peter spent time focusing on starting off until the pupil’s confidence had returned – exactly the right move and one that would fit well with the new Standards Check philosophy.

Other tips: • Pitch the lesson at the right level. Don’t get the pupil to run before they can walk.

• Provide timely opportunities for analysis, but promptly for risk-critical incidents • At the end of the lesson explore any issues that have cropped up on the lesson • Always look for ways to allow the pupil to improve during the lesson.

Out of a jam: Marmalade’s insurance package for young drivers proved a popular workshop. Above, workshop leader Jeremy Moger talks through the scheme with a conference delegate Left, Mike Yeomans takes the conference ‘Beyond the L’ in the workshop he led with MSA North East chairman Karl Satloka. The pair looked at other options available for ADIs in the search for more work in the driver education field. It was a session that generated a huge amount of positive feedback from delegates

Conference workshops::::::::::: A highlight of every MSA Conference are the various workshops organised away from the main hall.

This year we ran four, all held twice to make sure delegates had the best chance to attend their favourites.

While Peter Harvey discussed the Standards Check in the main hall (facing page), three break-out rooms hosted sessions taking ADIs ‘Beyond the L’, exploring insurance issues and the joys of teamworking.

F AV RE A ED IL I A AR B Y LE

Beyond the L was an enlightening session in which two of the MSA’s most experienced members highlighted the opportunities that exist for ADIs away from the traditional learner driver market.

Mike Yeomans and Karl Satloka from MSA North East have a huge amount of experience in speed awareness and experienced driver training, and with the young driver market contracting their advice was to look for new opportunities in these growing sectors.

Marmalade: JEREMY MOGER One of the reasons why some young people are steering clear of learning to drive is believed to be the eye-watering insurance premiums they will have to pay post-test. Marmalade is helping reverse this trend, as Jeremy Moger explained.

By using sophisticated telemetrics, Marmalade can gauge premiums more accurately and reward safer drivers. By sticking to pre-determined parameters on speed and the time of journey, insurance stays relatively cheap.

Breaking the ‘rules’ leads to emailed warnings, followed by ‘fines’ in the shape of increases in premiums.

Ultimately, persistent ‘offenders’ will be stripped of their insurance.

Marmalade also has different offers to assist with car purchase for young drivers which sound like great deals, and there’s something in it for ADIs too, as introducing pupils to Marmalade leads to a commission of £250 and there’s also £450 for the pupil to have driving lessons with the ADI.

TTC: ALAN PROSSER A surreal game of human rockpaper-scissors might sound out of place at an ADIs’ Conference but Alan Prosser’s interactive session had plenty of serious messages for good teamworking between ADI and pupil among all the laughter.

The game element helped Alan demonstrate the advantages of working as a team, which he then related to the ADI working with their pupil in a similar manner. He did this by running through the qualities that an ADI needs to possess and relating them to their relationship with the pupil. It was an impressive and enthusiastic display that workshop participants joined in with positively.

Alan is very adept at running these work shops and should be congratulated at getting over 50 people to line up and climb through a piece of rope without questioning its purpose ... a successful follow-on from last year’s very informative Conference session on alcohol awareness.

Hands up! Delegates join in with an interactive session led by Alan Prosser at TTC What were delegates doing? See page 36

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MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 31 Let us be the driving force behind you.

MSA

Conference 2014 March 22 • Bristol

Award winners

A highlight of every MSA Conference is our awards ceremony, at which we get the chance to turn the spotlight on those individuals and regions who have given so much for the good of their fellow ADIs through their work for the MSA.

Well done, John

Top, the Ron Feltham Memorial Trophy, awarded to the region which has the best annual membership retention figures, ‘went home’ this year after Greater London came out on top in 2013. Regional chairman Tom Kwok insisted that committee member Cheryl Andrews collected the trophy, “as it was all her hard work that helped us win it in the first place.”

He did make sure he claimed the bottle of bubbly, however!

The award is named after our former national chairman and long-time Greater London committee member Ron Feltham, who died in 2012.

Above, MSA South Wales landed the John William Parker Memorial Cup as runners up.

It was accepted by chairman Paddy Tyler from deputy national chairman Geoff Little and BG Insurance’s John Lincoln and Mandy Smith.

BG Insurance’s managing director, David Harvey, kindly provided the winners’ celebratory fizz.

32 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

MSA North West stalwart John Lomas was rewarded for over 20 years’ work on behalf of the association by being made an Honorary Member of the MSA at Conference. He is pictured above receiving his citation from national chairman Peter Harvey. General manager John Lepine commented: “We give this honour very rarely. Only 15 people have received it in the association’s history.

“John is a very deserving recipient. He has been a member of the MSA since 1989, and since 1992 has been an active supporter of the North West committee, fulfilling several roles including deputy chairman, regional conference and AGM organiser and the one he is probably best known for, regional editor. His columns in Newslink are always well received, so much so that he has been named our regional editor of the year on three occasions, the last time being in 2013.

“However, this award is for much more than that. He is an excellent source of knowledge on technical regulations and a tenacious fighter against faceless bureaucracy, as highlighted last year when he took the DVSA to task over its new rules for testing loaded trailers – where, yet again, he was proved correct.

“This is a well-deserved honour and one that I’m sure everyone within the MSA family will wholeheartedly acclaim.”

Bob’s the man for the job The John William Peek Memorial Trophy is the MSA’s top annual award and this year it went to a man who has contributed hugely to his regional committee for many years.

Bob Butterworth, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, is currently the deputy treasurer and social secretary of the North East region, but over the years has contributed to MSA activity in many ways.

His regional chairman, Karl Satloka, said: “Every well-run region needs people like Bob Butterworth to keep the wheels turning.

“He is very supportive of our work and can be called upon to lend a hand whenever he’s needed.”

John Lepine agreed, adding: “Bob’s ability to source good speakers for his region’s meetings is legendary.

He is the bedrock of the North East’s events. He is a deserving Member of the Year.”

Over to you, Rod: Left, MSA South East’s regional editor Rod Came receives the Jon Gross Editor of the Year trophy from last year’s winner John Lomas for his work as a monthly columnist in Newslink.

“Rod’s articles are always worth a read,” commented John Lepine, “whether he is pouring scorn on the latest local authority road mishap or tackling the DVSA over another botched reform. Lucid, irreverent and topical, his keyboard conjures up many a withering glare at the establishment over its pomposity and incompetence.

“A true crusader for the common man, long may he continue in post!”

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 33

MSA

Conference 2014 March 22 • Bristol

Looking to the future

Conference looks to the future Where does driver training and testing go from here...?

That was the question MSA national chairman Peter Harvey posed to conference during the wrap-up session.

He asked delegates to plot a future of the industry, telling the association what changes they wanted to improve the profession, its impact on road safety and the living standards of instructors.

A quickfire run-through of ADIs’ requirements from a test centre found that all ADIs expect toilet facilities on site, and water, tea and coffee would be appreciated – hot drinks paid for by the ADIs, of course.

Free wi-fi would be a popular addition – a suggestion Peter said he’d be happy to put on a wishlist for the next time he spoke to the DVSA, but wouldn’t be holding his breath! What was really needed was adequate parking – and every test centre should have facilities for practising bay parking. With so many places restricting ADIs’ access to their car parks, it made sense that DVSA test centres should provide this much-needed facility.

It was clear that the new DVSA chief executive, Alastair Peoples, was looking to remove costs from the agency. As Peter Harvey put it, “get used to ad hoc centres and a slow reduction in the number of permanent DTCs.” The considerable cost savings they generate made them a very attractive option for the agency.

A number of new ideas were being discussed by agency management. As Lesley Young had said earlier in the day, the DVSA was starting to look at reforming the driving test and there could be major changes to its structure in the future. Central to any changes would be improving the pass rate. Alastair had already stated his frustration that despite many reforms, the pass rate was stuck at around 50 per cent.

If the DVSA was going to consider its options over the L-test, the MSA could indulge in a spot of speculation, too. Lesley Young had hinted that the use of tablets by examiners would become the norm for marking in the future, yet question marks still existed over their use if the driver could see the screen.

A solution was being worked out, said Lesley. Could this be examiners sat in the back, asked Peter, with the ADI sat next to the candidate? The idea was one many delegates supported. As one pointed out, the presence of their ADI next to them could relax the candidate, and as test nerves were acknowledged to be a major factor in test fails, it could boost the pass rate.

It could also mean every candidate taking the test in an ADI car.

Such a radical change would present challenges for examiners, however, as the view from the rear is different and could place the examiner at a disadvantage.

With an ADI sat beside them at least the number of crashes on test would fall. Examiners are taught to

34 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

intervene very late and are often reluctant to use dual controls. ADIs would probably be less reticent.

Pure speculation, said Peter – but an idea to consider for the future?

One idea that was enthusiastically supported was the creation of an accompanying driver system. Already used in France, any family member or friend agreeing to supervise a learner would have to take a short training course with an ADI before being allowed to supervise the learner.

This was a hugely popular idea; as one delegate put it, “Some of my pupils go backwards after a period of private practice with their mum or dad.”

There was strong support, too, for a long-standing MSA discussion theme: log books, and whether they should be tied in more closely to the driving test, perhaps with ADIs being given the responsibility to sign off manoeuvres. This could allow examiners to ignore manoeuvres on test, possibly testing them on a random but occasional basis, and allow more time for ‘real world’ driving assessment.

One delegate asked whether this could be linked to grades on the Standards Check, with only Grade As having the chance to sign off their pupils.

To the test itself, and it was clear that many delegates supported extending it considerably. There was overwhelming support for testing driving in urban areas, on rural roads, fast dual carriageways and motorways, as well as night-time driving. How all Welcome visitor: Christine Fairbrother from TWD Accountants takes a break during a closed conference session Top picture, David Mowbray makes a point to TTC’s Adrian Hide

Boardroom: Conference hosted the MSA AGM, with national chairman Peter Harvey and deputy chairman Geoff Little returned to office unopposed by their fellow directors.

They are flanked by head office staff Carol and John Lepine

these could be test in a single exercise wasn’t clear; what was clear was the belief that the current L-test wasn’t delivering the challenging test of driving skills that was needed.

Peter expressed his intense disappointment at the cancellation of the Green Paper on new drivers. Its loss was blamed on a host of people, though the Government’s reluctance to add red tape and potential cost to anything was a likely culprit. The prime minister’s current plan seemed to be to give insurance companies the lead role, with increased use of telemetrics more important than good

driver training.

Rather than wait for Government action, ADIs had to take responsibility for training their pupils to drive beyond the L-test. The fact that the driving test didn’t examine some parts of every-day driving shouldn’t stop ADIs adding it to their personal driver training syllabus.

Peter had been slightly surprised by the impact Alastair Peoples had had on the DSA/DVSA. He noted that a number of things the MSA had asked his predecessor, Rosemary Thew, to act on, to no avail, had now been brought in, such as a more understanding attitude to last minute test

cancellations through proven illness and bereavements. It was believed Peoples was encouraged by the positive response to the independent driving part of the test and this could be doubled to 20 minutes in future. It was pointed out from the floor that such a move would leave less room for time-consuming manoeuvres Other issues discussed included the MSA’s decision over the National Associations Steering Group (NASG) – see page 9 for the latest – and the need for the ADI Code of Practice to be compulsory.

MSA general manager John Lepine joined Peter on the stage for a short time

to discuss his forthcoming appearance before the Transport Select Committee in the House of Commons, where he was to be questionned over the performance of the DVSA (see page 1). He asked conference for views on the agency, which were largely positive as far as service standards were concerned.

However, there was a belief among some that it could be slow to react to problems, although it was recognised that negatives did not crop up too often, and its determination to be a ‘digital by default’ champion was leaving a sizeable minority of non-IT literate ADIs behind.

99 £1

.00* MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 35

MSA

Conference 2014 March 22 • Bristol

Hands up! These ADIs haven’t given up - they’re being ‘scissors’ during Alan Prosser’s lively interactive workshop.

Read more on page 33

Conference scenes: There’s always plenty of time to catch up with fellow ADIs during the conference day, as these images show

36 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

Networking

Conference fun shows it’s not all work, work, work

Strong support: Top picture, delegates from the North East pose for the camera before the Saturday night dinner Pictured, talking shop (this page): Delegates discuss the day’s proceedings and flick through the training material on display on the Driving School Supplies while, below, Stacey Pledge and Ray Goode check out the conference programme

Conference saw more than a fair amount of hard work - but that made the time spent relaxing and having a spot of fun all the more enjoyable for delegates.

Friday kicked off with the traditional ‘icebreaker’ social evening. An informal buffet was enjoyed by guests before everyone took up that year’s challenge – a nigh-on impossible 50 questions, as devilish a quiz as anyone has ever had the chance to tackle.

MC’d by deputy national chairman Geoff Little, ably supported by Peter Harvey, the quiz challenged the assembled ADIs and guests with such questions as ‘When was the first McDonalds opened’, ‘What is the hard tag at the end of a shoelace called’ and my personal favourite, ‘In what year were the Orkneys re-annexed to Scotland from Norway’. As a mere Sassenach I never knew the Orkneys had ever not been part of Scotland, so the news that it was 1472 came as a shock. The others answers, by the way, were 1940 and Aglet.

The winning team was ably led by MSA Scotland’s Bob Baker (no, he didn’t get the Orkneys question right) and was named Scotch Corner, though the trio of Scots on the table were joined by two from the Home Counties and three from the North West.

Their winning score of just 17 shows just how tough the quiz was!

Saturday night was party night, with a fantastic four-course meal followed by a spot of dancing with music courtesy of our DJ, Jesters, some dancefloor shove h’apenny, which sounds odd but was great fun (with prizes won by former North East chairman Roy Appleby and current Greater London chairman Tom Kwok), and a charity raffle.

Tickets were sold by Alice and Niall Hillen, who persuaded guests to dig deep for a very worthwhile charity, the Children’s Hospice South West.

The charity was suggested by MSA Western chairman Colin Lilly. It was founded in 1991 and in 1995 Little Bridge House, the South West’s first children’s hospice, opened to local families. It quickly became oversubscribed, which led to the opening of the charity’s second hospice, Charlton Farm, located just outside Bristol, in 2007.

A third hospice, Little Harbour, was opened in Cornwall in September 2007, completing a chain of children’s hospices covering the entire south west.

Conference raised £512.60 for this excellent cause.

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 37

MSA

Conference 2014 March 22 • Bristol

Conference reflections

You’ve read the MSA report on the Conference, but how was the weekend from the delegates’ point of view? MSA Scotland’s Steven Porter offers his own take on three fun days in Bristol After surviving Bristol’s answer to Ayrton Senna on the journeys both to and from the airport to the hotel... ... I can look back on my first MSA National Conference with a smile on my face knowing I had increased my knowledge, met old and made new friends, saw some weird and wonderful new dance moves and had an all-round good time.

Three of the Scottish committee (albeit one English) made the long trip over Hadrian’s Wall and into the lovely city of Bristol in probably less time than a few of our English counterparts did, thanks to one very brightly coloured orange and white flying object and a very eager Bristolian taxi driver. When we got over the initial shock of his sandals and lack of hazard awareness we were able to take in some of the sights of this lovely city which seemingly has been voted as the best city in the UK to live in (what would you know anyway, Bob). The Clifton suspension bridge is one of the first things I noticed as we sped through the city. Designed

by Isambard Kingdom Brunel at 24, sadly, he never got to see his creation built as he died at 53, five years before it was finally finished. Allegedly, Primark has the biggest store in the UK here; if only I’d brought the wife and left her there, I could have picked her up on the way back and killed two birds with one stone.

The venue for conference was the Holiday Inn Filton: a very nice, clean and modern-looking hotel with a pool, sauna, gym, bar, restaurant, it even had carp fishing and a driving range – pity I didn’t bring my clubs and rods.

On our first night we all sat down for a very nice buffet meal and one or two refreshments. Then came someone’s idea of fun: let’s see how much we can frustrate the nation’s ADIs with the quiz from hell. Who in God’s Earth came up with the questions? I would dearly love to know. Google would have done well to answer them correctly. I’m hoping my team mate and publisher of this magazine, Rob Beswick, has kept a copy of the questions – and answers – to add to this so you all can understand how sad the culprit was who made the quiz up (my guess is either Lepine or Harvey).

Anyway, there was always only going to be one winner and despite mustering a grand total of only 17 out of a possible 50 (cringe)... it was us, Scotch Corner, winning fifty big ones, which we put to good use on Saturday night. The team was made up of my good self, Bob Baker, Karen McLeod (the three wee craws of the headline), Rob, Colin and Louise, his lighthouse-loving friend, and Michael and Jenny Lally. I mean, 17 out of 50; how bad were the other teams?

To Saturday and the main event. ADIs congregated in the exhibition area and chatted to the companies’ reps, as you’ll have seen on the previous pages. We had a chance to look at, play with, buy or take away as a freebie (thanks Driving Test Success) a number of goodies.

9:30 and into the suite we go and our first guest speaker, the highlight of the day for me, chief driving examiner Lesley Young.

I saw Lesley at our MSA Scotland Training Seminar back in November when she was not long in the job and (this is setting me up for my first Standards Check) maybe a little nervous. But boy, (can he redeem himself?) has this girl eased into the role and become a more confident and witty speaker (I hope I’ve done enough). She gave us an insight into

38 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

Three wee craws, sat upon a wa’ Comedy duo: Lesley Young and John Lepine play it for laughs during the Q & A

changes within the DSA or, by the time you read this, the DVSA (see what I done there? Timing, it’s all about timing).

We may see things like the theory test being mixed with the hazard perception test, with clips paused in a Question of Sport-style: “So what happens next, Tuffers?”.

Show me, tell me questions done on the move could also be coming to a test centre near you (fat chance, I can’t get mine to turn on the engine, never mind the heating system) and there’s the possibility of a new comedy duo on a screen soon, in the form of Young and Lepine.

I have to admit I haven’t enjoyed a DSA official’s speech and Q&A as much as I did Lesley’s, and long may it continue.

Our next speaker came from the Avon Fire and Rescue.

Garry Hawkes is chairman of the National Blue Light Users Conference and a working ADI, among other things. He gave us a talk on how to deal properly with ‘blues and twos’ and what exemptions the fire service has – and doesn’t have, and very enlightening it was to.

After our tea/coffee break and some more networking we had the option of going into one of four workshops. As I have the privilege of living in our national chairman’s district and have seen his Standards Check test presentation before, and I’ve also enjoyed Jeremy Moger (Marmalade) workshop on young driver insurance in the past, I decided

to choose the Beyond the L workshop by Karl Satloka and Mike Yeomans. It was all about the avenues we ADIs can take to broaden our horizons and bank balances, from fleet training to Midas, and NDORS to LGVs, without always having to spend cash in doing so.

Back to the main hall and the MSA Awards. Awards given for regional recruitment, editor of the year (to Rod Came.... maybe, if this goes well), member of the year to Bob Butterworth and an honorary award to a clearly proud John Lomas. All very worthy winners, I may add.

In between the awards and lunch we had the formality of the MSA AGM. Peter Harvey MBE is thankfully staying on as our chairman, aided by Geoff Little as his deputy. Thank goodness we have two men daft enough to take on the mantle of these posts, must have too much time on their hands.

After an excellent lunch and a stroll around the lake – on closer inspection, more like a puddle back home – we headed back for more networking and refreshments. You know, it amazes me how much is drunk at these events ... of course, I am referring to tea and coffee and not the copious amounts of Glenfiddich which would be drunk by oneself later that evening.

The afternoon session kicked off with our second workshop of the day, led by one of my bosses, Alan Prosser

News

Company news

The Modern Pupil The internet age has made life more convenient for billions – and that’s why your future pupils demand that you give them the online experience they get elsewhere, says Annie McKenzie, Driving School Office

The packed conference hall waits the arrival of the first speakers. A superb event, with Lesley Young’s address a highlight

and his colleague Adrian Hide from the TTC Group. I’m hoping after this I still have a position within TTC as I think I got roped into one or two things. I did, however, yet again end up on the winning team in a grown-up game of rock, paper and scissors.

Anyway, the workshop was all about positive team building and communication, verbal and non-verbal.

Back again to the main room for an informative talk from Kate Rock from Goodyear Tyres on road safety and what we all have been striving for for years, getting it into the schooling system.

The day ended up with a look into the future for us ADIs, with both Peter Harvey and John Lepine giving us some possibilities on how driver training and testing could look in the future.

After the event had finished it was time for the event to begin. A wee dram had had my name written all over it all day and so I had to wilt and hold up the bar until everyone arrived for our MSA Party Night. Again the meal was extremely good, with me eating things I once boaked at the thought of (get your Scottish/English language converters out). The goats’ cheese starter was to die for, so was the chicken main course and the sweet at the end.

All that was left to do was drink and be merry, well, how could you not be when you could sit and watch John Lepine MBE on his hands and knees trying to get a fifty pence piece close to a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky from 10 yards away? I have to say his technique was all wrong and I felt obliged to show him exactly how it should be done. I managed to get one coin within an inch and dually sent the next touching against said bottle. I even had the audacity to throw my last coin with a wee cheeky sidewards look at Tony Phillips while I threw it. I’m not entirely sure what happened after that but I left the room for a visit to the little boy’s room and on my return found that some Geordie had seemingly knocked my coin out of the way and claimed the prize. Never trust a Geordie...

Some very shady moves were thrown on the dance floor from a man in a whiter-than-white suit and a few female exhibitioners, sorry exhibitors (can never get those two right). Some great stories from many people were told on the night, none more so than from Tony Phillips, who had once beaten Frank Carson on Opportunity Knocks. Eh, that’s a cracker, it’s the way I tell them! Not only that but Tony admitted to me that he had played in my home town of Paisley in the Watermill Hotel. Now Tony, I wouldn’t be telling anybody else about that one, it’s not your claim to fame playing in Paisley, even rubbish bands like my old one ‘Crossfire’ achieved that dubious distinction.

A few more malts led to a late night/early morning and then onto breakfast. 10am and we were ordered to a side room for another of John Lepine’s quizzes. Allegedly this was to make sure we all drove home later on in the day so we didn’t have alcohol in our system, and just to make sure we understood this the quiz was all about alcohol and how long it stayed in our systems. I was gutted, I mean I was flying home, what good was that to me?

We said our goodbyes to some wonderful people as reality hit home, and the thought of the dreaded journey to the airport: Taxi!!!

If you have never attended one of these training events and you live in Scotland, you can have a taste of this for yourself on your doorstep on Sunday, 2 November in the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld. Sadly we don’t do the full weekend, including the Glenfiddich, but you will learn lots and maybe just as important, meet some fantastic new colleagues.

The modern pupil: something to be afraid of or something to marvel at? Somewhere in between, probably.

Yes, the modern pupil. Expectations have changed, along with society. What is expected in teaching learner drivers and the industry of UK driving schools and UK driving instructors in today’s technology driven society is a savvy, computer literate, internet-utilising businessman or woman.

Gone are the days in which pupils would search for local instructors in the Yellow Pages. Google has taken over the search now, and if you do not have a digital presence, you do not have any presence at all. If you are not online, you do not exist.

Harsh, but true. And while I am a fan of face-to-face contact, of talking to a human being rather than a machine, I would be fighting a losing battle if I said that the internet was not the most helpful, easiest, user-friendly way of connecting UK driving instructors with learner drivers and making it simple to begin driving lessons quickly and simply.

The industry is embracing the convenience, speed and security of the internet. The best example here is that now students are able to book both theory and practical tests online and can even apply for their provisional licence without the fuss of filling in paper forms. With just a few clicks

of a button, learner drivers are already on their way.

It is very important for all UK driving instructors to be technically savvy. This is not to say that you must be a computer whiz - but a website, an online diary, and social media pages are invaluable to you in creating not only a more trustworthy relationship with your pupils, but also a more professional one.

The fact is, the internet is there for a reason, and it is to make our lives easier by convenience, and in so doing saves us time to be able to do the things we enjoy – especially young people, especially learner drivers. Pupils certainly want to book, pay for and view their driving lessons over the internet, whether that is via email, through online diary systems or through websites – and the easier it is to do this the better, as far as I am concerned.

Learning to drive is something that so many young people want to do, and I truly believe that in our convenience-driven society, the easier it is to arrange driving lessons, the more pupils UK driving instructors and UK driving schools will acquire. Teaching learner drivers has not changed but the manner in which this teacher pupil relationship begins has. The Modern Pupil wants to connect online, and indeed, why not?

New deal from RED RED Driving School has announced a unique franchise initiative that will provide new franchisees with a guaranteed stream of pupils for their first 12 months.

The move comes as RED looks to grow its franchise base by a further 600 instructors over the next 18 months, with the target of having 2,000 instructors teaching in the UK in 2015.

New franchisees who enter a standard weekly 12-month contract will be guaranteed a minimum of 20 pre-paid pupils during their first year, with a commitment that a rebate of £50 will be provided for each pre-paid pupil short of that target.

CEO of RED Driving School, Ian McIntosh says, “With an average booking of over six hours, this represents a considerable level of income. Moreover, the supply of both pre-paid pupils and pay-in-car pupils is in fact unlimited, meaning that franchisees are more able to focus on teaching rather than worrying about sourcing their next pupil.”

The DVSA states that on average a learner driver requires 47 hours professional tuition.

Based on these figures the new guarantee of pre-paid pupils through the RED initiative could represent a significant amount of tuition for an instructor.

The initiative will also see new franchisees offered a reduced franchise of 50% for their

first four weeks of the agreement, a fee currently charged at £95.

Ian added: “We firmly believe this new franchise model is a real game changer for the industry. We currently receive over 4,000 pupil enquires every week, taking more than £250,000 in pre-paid pupil lessons on behalf of our instructors. We are confident in our strong pupil base and together with our integrated pre-paid system believe this offer to new RED franchisees will help the business connect yet more pupils with more instructors.”

McIntosh continues, “The difference between this and any other industry ‘guarantee’ schemes is that we have real pupils, with real bookings, with real cash taken in advance on the Instructors behalf. Plus we give money back if we don’t honour the deal. We hope to attract experienced ADIs through this model and fully welcome any returning instructors back into the RED family.”

RED, which was recently awarded the Golden L Fresh Award 2014 for Favourite National Franchise, is looking for ADIs to join the company and have their vehicles branded in the distinctive RED scheme.

McIntosh added: “Our branded cars continue to be an excellent advertisement for attracting pupils to the benefit of both the individual instructor and RED Driving School.”

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 39

Regional view:

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» » » The MSA’s nationwide network of editors with the news and opinions that matter at local level

Someone needs to pop down to Warrington with the whitewash Give us a chance: The near total absence of white line markings at this junction makes it hard for a newcomer to it to work out who has priority – and the lack of a Give Way sign compounds the error

JOHN LOMAS

Editor, North West

WWW – and no, I’m not talking about the world wide web, which has just celebrated a landmark birthday, but rather some Warrington Whiteline Woes.

A recent visit to this thriving metropolis revealed a lack of awareness on the part of highways officials of the need to inform drivers and other road users about priorities at junctions.

The junction featured in the photos is just one example. If viewed from a car approaching down the road I was on when taking them, it at first appears to have a sweeping bend to the right yet when you arrive in the area photographed you find a “main” road crossing your path.

I was in a minibus and from that angle, looking down, I could just about make out the remnants of an extremely worn white line. It is also noticeable that there is no Give Way signage at this junction.

I have no idea what the driver of the school car (pictured) could see, though possibly she/he already knew about the junction. If this area appears on tests in the town I would suggest that local instructors might like to have a go at their councillors to get something done.

No doubt the old tale of “we have no money” will be trotted out but what is a few hundred pounds in comparison with a) the costs incurred following crashes and b) the hundreds of thousands of pounds being spent to widen the A49 which goes through the heart of the town in order to get traffic in and out quickly without inconveniencing the locals.

Outside lane on multi-lane motorways

We all know that certain classes of vehicles are banned from the right-hand lane of three or more lane carriageways on motorways, but have you ever considered the scenario I came across on the M6 recently?

The four-lane section approaching the Thelwall Viaduct southbound has some width restrictions on the two outer lanes due to some left-hand side road works. So far so good. Just before the viaducts (for those who don’t know the area, there are now two road bridges across the Manchester Ship Canal and Mersey) the outside lane switches to the northbound carriageway as a contra-flow lane, which means it isn’t even on the same bridge as the other three southbound lanes.

So is it still the outside lane of the southbound carriageway?

If yes, then some of the restricted vehicles such as cars with trailers and vehicles below the width

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restriction but normally banned from outer lanes would actually be able to stay in that third lane, but if no, then although the normal restrictions would still apply to the now three-lane southbound carriageway, this would now allow those trailer-towing cars, etc, to utilise the southbound single contraflow lane on the other bridge. After all, it is now a single lane on a motorway.

It is similar in a way to the single lane joining slip onto the M60 anti-clockwise at Bredbury, Stockport which joins on the right and becomes the RH lane of a three-lane motorway.

Just imagine an LGV is coming down that slip with a limited speed of either 56 or 52, as some now have, joining a motorway which although it has a posted limit of 50 usually has cars and vans doing between 60 and 70.

How does that LGV driver get over to the left easily and how long does he have to do it before falling foul of the outer lane ban?

Standards Checks

I recently attended a meeting, organised by the Rochdale ADIs association, which was addressed by Nigel Robinson from the DVSA. He has been closely involved with setting the criteria and marking system for the new Standards Check.

He was quite adamant that in general if you do what you have previously done there should be no problems for you with the new regime; that’s basically the same message that John Lepine has been giving at our meetings and through Newslink.

The meeting I attended was a well-run affair and Nigel and his colleague, Bruce Attwood, were listened to and then questioned in a respectful and civilised manner. That is exactly the manner in which all these meetings should be held.

Been here, done that: Perhaps this learner is well-used to the junction’s lack of proper signage

www.msagb.com Which turkey voted for these grades?

Tony Phillips p42

Full-house for Standards Check meeting

ADIs record victory in battle of the bus lanes

Rod Came p44

Terry Pearce p 46

DVSA address pips Scalextric race as meeting’s highlight On March 10 MSA North East organised a very successful garage meeting at Evans Halshaw Citroen in Bradford. We were joined on the evening by Trevor Outram, DVSA sector manager, who was on hand to provide us with all the latest news on the Standards Check.

The feedback from the ADIs who attended has been positive, with the information going down well and helping ease a number of instructors’ fears.

A huge thanks to Evans Halshaw Citroen, Bradford, for hosting the meeting with us. The refreshments provided were simply lovely!

While Trevor’s speech was talking about a very serious issue, there was a much lighter side to the evening with the appearance of the StoneRig Scalextric Raceway. Based in Oldham, this is exactly what it sounds like: a very impressive Scalextric! All the ADIs present got a chance to take part in a four-race challenge, with the winner of the heats going through to a very competitively fought semi-final and then on to a gripping final itself.

The winner not only received the glory of the title “Champion” but also received a fabulous bottle of Champagne to celebrate with. Huge thanks to the owners of the track for coming

PAULA MORRIS Editor, North East

across the Pennines and providing the fun element of the evening. Everyone had great fun, though one or two were definitely taking it seriously.

Hang on, I hear you cry, you’ve not told us who won yet.... well, the reason is that the victorious ADI was none other than myself... quite happy to take the glory, thanks, as you’ve got to revel it when you get the chance.

Anyone wishing to Contact congratulate me on my win or for any other • You can contact reason can contact me Paula at on the usual address. pauladtc@ See the panel for more outlook.com details.

You can beat your friends... The sight of a Scalextric track had the ADIs regressing... but (top picture), the serious business of learning more about the Standards Check had the audience’s full attention

Bumper turnout for Standards Check briefing SARA BRADLEY Editor, Eastern

It’s great to report that we had a bumper turn-out for MSA Eastern’s latest ADIs training meeting.

Over 80 members and non-members joined us at Heartsease Methodist Church in Norwich on February 26 to hear DSA sector manager Owen Corrigan address us on the Standards Check, among other issues.

I think it’s only right that I take this opportunity to thank Owen for giving up his time to talk to use; it was much appreciated by the members in attendance.

We should also thank those ADIs who turned up; everyone is interested in the new Standards Check, it appears.

Owen worked his way through the new standards, explaining in depth what will be required from driver trainers. There was plenty of questions and answers and a good discussion from people attending.

Over the refreshments there was a great deal of talk

about the nature of the new check and from the initial feedback it appears that attendees had found the information extremely helpful, had a better understanding of what was expected and in many ways were relieved to have had someone explain to them what these new checks entailed.

It was such a success that we are hoping to hold a follow-up meeting in the south of the region, in Bury St Edmunds. Look out for more details on the MSA website

and we’ll advertise it in Newslink as soon as we get more details.

Finally, the MSA Eastern Contact committee is still on the hunt for more members to help us • You can contact organise the region.

Sara at If you would like to get bradley213@ involved, contact me at the btinternet.com usual address on the panel.

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 41

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Regional News: Greater London We had 50 local ADIs in attendance for what was an interesting and thought-provoking evening

Tom Kwok in full flow during his presentation

Standards Check: this turkey didn’t vote for Grades A or B Masters Renault, Beckenham proves ideal host for Greater London’s first seminar of year Beckenham is a suburb of London within the London Borough of Bromley, which is, as far as postal addresses go at least, actually in Kent.

What’s so special about Beckenham, you may ask? Well, in response I will say David Bowie, Julie Andrews and Bob Monkhouse are just a few of its favourite sons (and daughter, of course).

But what was special about Beckenham on 13 March this year was

TONY PHILLIPS

Editor, Greater London

Tony Phillips talks about coaching and his conversion to the concept

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that MSA Greater London held its first seminar of many coming up through this year.

The venue was Masters Renault of Beckenham, a very well-known local Renault dealership which proved a great host for our very successful event.

Many thanks to the staff and especially Anne who catered for us.

The dealership had some very good deals on offer for Clios and Kugas which attracted a great deal of

(favourable) attention from those present, so contact them on the following number or pay them a visit at the address below. Obviously they’d be very happy to help you buy your new Renault. The person to contact is Christopher Higgs who was instrumental in helping us stage the event along with his dealer principal Justin Woodgate. More information from 08445582197, and they are based at 150 Upper Elmers End Road BR3 3DZ We had three, hopefully interesting and thought-provoking, presentations for our crowd of 50. First Tom Kwok, our chairman, opened the meeting with a bit of warming up in his own inimitable style, plus the usual health and safety procedures, and introduced me as the first speaker of the evening.

The subject was coaching; not so much on how to coach, as it’s a protracted process of re-considering, study and practice. It was really more to do with why we’re going into this method of teaching as the way forward.

All of you who have read my articles over the years will know that I was a great antagonist of coaching. I must confess partly due to cynicism but also to do with having something thrust at us and being told that we’re substandard control freaks at the same time.

For me, those words stung and still do to this day. Now that I have achieved a BTEC Level 4 in Coaching, however, I understand a great deal more about it, although I’m the first to say that I’ve just taken an initial first step into this subject.

I can still see the view from the other

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Regional News: Greater London/Western

I always knew Bristol would come up trumps!

Our hosts from Masters Reanult, Julian Woodgate (left) and Christopher Higgs

side of the fence – the one I used to occupy – and understand that in order to help people come over to the coaching side, education, persuasion, a couple of pints down the pub and engaging people in conversation is possibly a much better way than the tub thumping, fire and brimstone-from-the-pulpit preaching, finger pointing method of persuasion that I was unfortunately subjected to.

Tom Kwok then took those present through a very thorough and enlightening presentation on the benefits of being a member of MSA. It was significant, I think, that we signed up nine, yes nine new members on that night!

Tom can be very persuasive!! (I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse….)

We took a break and were provided with an excellent buffet by Anne at Masters Renault. It really was a great spread to which all present were very grateful. (Oh well, back to the gym!)

After the break, Tom then gave a very informative presentation on the Standards Check; well, what else could have been the focus of the night, eh? It was a thorough run-through of how it’s going to be conducted but much more, it tied in very well with the coaching presentation I had given earlier and seemed to persuade quite a few people present that perhaps we need to start revisiting how we teach new drivers.

The evening was a great

success and we look forward to being able to come back to Masters Renault (if they’ll have us, of course!) next year.

I’d like to add just a quick personal view point.

Grades A and B! What are we, turkeys?

Great for Bernard Matthews I think but not for a professional qualification. I believe that Grade B will be viewed by the public as a sub-standard category. Why not the Pass Plus formula: Acceptable and Exceptional? Why not Standard and Special? No, this is a purposely decided-upon grading formula designed to make everyone have to raise their game, which isn’t in itself a bad idea. But in the meantime it will render the vast majority of ADIs into the perception of a secondary sub-standard Grade B category which means they will continue to charge sub-standard prices and continue to lower the earnings threshold for all of us. I sincerely hope that I’m proved wrong.

Well done, DVSA – you should be well done. By someone, that is.

Flying the flag: An unusual vehicle on which to display an MSA headerboard

Well, that’s it; the MSA’s national training day is over for another year. This year’s was the best yet. That’s my opinion; I would say that, wouldn’t I. I have suggested the Holiday Inn, Bristol, as a venue for many years, this year I think my opinion was justified.

The location was near the axis of the M4/M5. I was encouraged by the number of members who travelled from all over the country to attend, but equally the number of members from the Western region that travelled some way.

The West Country suffers from a misconception of its size and location. First, to travel from the furthest Chairman point of the MSA Western region to Bristol & Editor, is the same as travelling Western from Manchester.

Equally, Bristol is not 20 miles from Land’s End. Every year one of the main attractions of the annual event is an opportunity to meet with friends you may only see once a year but also to make new friends. This year was no exception. I met friends and colleagues from the Western region who have never attended a national event before, many promising to return. Once seen, it is difficult to miss again.

Someone I was especially pleased to meet was Colin O’Connell who was regional chairman at the foundation of the Western Region and my immediate predecessor. I was glad to have him there at what I felt was an important occasion in the region’s history.

One person I was disappointed not to have there was my wife, Rosemary. Unfortunately, she was hospitalised on the morning we were to attend conference with pneumonia. I was unsure as to whether to attend but she is a member of the MSA family and knew I had responsibilities to MSA members, so was happy for me to be there.

The get together on Friday, as always, was an occasion to meet colleagues in an extended social context.

On Saturday at the main event the range of exhibitors was the best yet. It gave me a welcome opportunity to not only meet businesses I have worked with in the past, but talk to others to continue the development of my business and techniques. This may seem strange as I am semi-retired.

On reflection, perhaps semi-retirement is working fewer hours but not taking any less interest in the skills required in the training profession. That is probably the subject of a separate article.

The presenters and workshops were excellent. Having seen some of them give presentations in the past I felt that all of them gave their best performance. The subject everyone was most interested in was the Standards Check. The presentation by Lesley Young, the chief driving examiner, and the workshop run by Peter Harvey, MSA national chairman, put members at ease and removed must of the fear that some feel.

The Saturday evening party was the usual opportunity to unwind and relax after the business of the day. I was pleased that over £500 was raised in aid of Children’s Hospice South West.

Overall, I was thrilled about every aspect of the event and the same message coming from members. I would have liked more time to meet and speak to members but there will, no doubt, be opportunities in the future.

I hope and look forward to the return of the event to the MSA Western region.

COLIN LILLY

“On reflection, perhaps semi-retirement is working fewer hours but not taking any less interest in the skills required in the training profession...”

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Regional News: South East

In a world of acronyms, welcome to the ABFUs ROD CAME Editor, South East

Great turn-out: Ashford ADIs flocked to the meeting at the Holiday Inn, keen to hear the latest on the Standards Check

Well, now we know. The DVSA has decreed that ADIs will be divided into grades which the public can understand. Instead of being 6, 5 or 4 we are going to be A or B, most of whom will be B. This denomination is easier to comprehend for those who did not previously appreciate the subtle nuances of the DSA ADI grading system using the best as 6, yet unsatisfactory as it means we are being divided into three separate groups. How daft was that?

It may cause problems for those instructors who work, or may desire to work, for providers that require Grade 5/6 ADIs. Presumably they will only want Grade A instructors, which now begs the question, will there be enough of that grade who wish to work for fleet and further training providers? Time will tell.

More importantly, will the public care? If the new grading system is promoted by DVSA and the paying public latch onto it, this could mean that some ADIs will become the victims of their own success. If only one ADI in town is grade A, is popular and good at their job, everybody will want lessons with that ADI who can only do so many lessons in a week. The rest of the populace will have to go to lesser graded ADIs. How are they going to feel having to use a second-rate instructor?

The up-side is the good instructor will be able to charge more for their services, not work all the hours God made and provide quality over quantity.

Then comes the thorny problem of the trainee, the pink ticket holder. Are they still going to be allowed to continue as unqualified instructors able to provide paid-for driver training to an unsuspecting public? Now is the time for a change in that area as well.

Following this overdue change we are still going to have four gradings of instructor providing paid-for tuition, these being A, B, F, and unqualified. Two of these groups are not fit for purpose and yet are being sanctioned by DVSA. This is not a satisfactory situation and should be rectified as a matter of urgency.

Standards Check Meeting - Past

Wow! So many ADIs in one room. Over 70 people attended the MSA South East meeting at the Holiday Inn, Ashford North, on 4th March. The subject was the forthcoming Standards Check, with the main speaker Mark Aston, DVSA DTAM who, I understand, came in his own time. DVSA will no longer remunerate their staff to provide what is an essential bridge between themselves and ADIs. Thank you, Mark.

What came across was that this new style Check Test is very similar to that which we have become used to, the core competencies are the same but with perhaps a little more depth. Because of this there was some anxiety displayed about whether in

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the minimal time allowed – less than an hour – an ADI could demonstrate their ability in all the fields covered on the supervisor’s check sheet.

At the time the new check had not been implemented so it was discussed in theory rather than in practice. Definitive answers were not yet available and as with all new systems, there will, no doubt, be some teething problems, though let’s hope they are ironed out as experience is gained by both DVSA and ADIs. Mark pointed out that it was the DVSA’s intention to help ADIs raise their standard of tuition (hence the name?) and retain their registration. I would very much like to see this taken as an opportunity by DVSA to raise the standard required to remain on the Register. This would help to remove those ADIs who repeatedly take candidates for their driving test when they have not received either sufficient or proper driver training. Such a step would have benefits for road safety, allowing the learners to pass their test and drive safely afterwards, and with fewer ADIs there would be more work available for those who are up to the standard required to provide comprehensive driver training, and to earn a just reward for their expertise.

But as always there is a downside to this – the DVSA would have considerably less income from the ADI registration fee, so there is no incentive for them to ensure that will happen.

However, as I have argued for years, it is my view that the ADI registration fee is ridiculously low at £300 for four years. It should be around £1,000 a year. Unfortunately such a figure does not reflect ‘value for money’ for the service ADIs receive from DVSA, and due to it being an imposition on SME businesses is not going to be implemented, but as with everything to do with Government it may happen by stealth.

Currently the Check Test fee is included in the ADI registration fee. Those who only have one test every four years pay toward the cost of those who have them more frequently. There is a suggestion that the Standards Check fee could be removed from the registration fee, and a charge made for each Standards Check. This is an excellent idea and should be progressed with all speed.

Simply, it will mean that those who charge

ridiculously low prices for substandard tuition and consequently are required to have more checks by DVSA will be priced out of the market, with the follow-on benefit that good ADIs will be able to flourish. A win, win situation. Go for it!

Standards Check Meeting - Future

While that meeting took place prior to the Standards Check’s launch, it will have been up and running for a few weeks by the time of our next meeting on the subject, which will be held in Sussex. It will be on Wednesday 7th May at Mercedes-Benz Eastbourne, Westham Road, Westham, Pevensey BN24 5NH. The speaker from the DVSA will once again be Mark Aston DTAM. Doors open at 6.15pm for 7pm start. Members £5, non-members £8. More details on facing page.

Road signs

Road signs, the language not of love but of the road. They are there to inform, prohibit or advise users of the country’s highways. Signs and markings are an essential aid to road safety, their purpose is to ensure that drivers and riders are made aware of what hazard lies ahead or what they must, or must not, do.

Many times in Newslink contributors have highlighted signs that are misleading or just plain wrong, but there is another problem with road signs – that is the ones which are not there. Not missing because they have never been erected in the first place, but missing because they are no longer in situ.

Every now and again drivers collide with signs, as they do trees, lamp posts, parked cars and almost anything else which is stationary, or indeed moving, for that matter. You will have noticed that when a vehicle travelling at any reasonable speed collides with a road sign erected on a pole the sign tends to fall over, therefore it is no longer serving its original purpose in life.

If the sign happens to indicate a sharp deviation it was probably put there in the first place because drivers were being caught out by the sharpness of the bend ahead. After it has been destroyed by an errant driver the situation reverts to that which existed before the sign was originally erected, consequently drivers thereafter are put at risk

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Regional News: South East

Sussex ADIs...

Ready for your Standards Check?_

Then join us for a special MSA Training Seminar on the most important change to hit the industry in years Date: Wednesday, 7 May Speaker: Mark Aston, DVSA DTAM, Topic: The new Standards Check from the DVSA’s perspective.

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Eastbourne, Westham Road, Westham,

Pevensey BN24 5NH. Time: Doors open 6.15pm for 7pm start.

Book your place through the MSA website – www.msagb.com. Go to ‘Services’ then ‘MSA Sales’.

Price: Members £5, non-members £8. A CPD Certificate will be issued to each attendee.

because of its absence.

Therefore, it must surely be the responsibility of the authority which initially erected the sign to replace it as soon as reasonably possible, but of course they don’t.

And I for one cannot understand why. The obvious reason in these straitened times is a lack of money, but that is generally a hollow excuse, it has been going on for years.

In my area there are several such signs that have been damaged. On the A28 between Westfield and Brede there was a sign indicating a slippery road surface, ironically it was laid horizontal by a vehicle which went out of control on, you’ve guessed it, the slippery road surface in February last year, more than 14 months ago.

Several emails have been sent to East Sussex County Council Transport and Environment (ESCC T&E) and on 16 October, 2013, at a Highways meeting, I was told face to face that it would be re-erected within a fortnight – it stayed horizontal!

I have chased ESCC T&E repeatedly about this without good result until, on the day before the next Highways meeting, it suddenly sprang to an upright position – coincidence or what?

A short distance away on the same A-class road there should be a sharp deviation sign.

The last one was destroyed in early January this year; as of late March it has still not been replaced. It has now been drawn to the attention of ESCC T&E so watch this space – which will probably remain empty for a

How will the big changeover to the Standards Check on April 7 affect you?

Find out on May 7

long time.

There is, of course, no excuse for this lackadaisical attitude on the part of those responsible for maintaining our roads, especially when they either know, or can easily discover, the identity of the person responsible for causing the damage and claim the costs of replacing the sign direct from them.

A Freedom of Information question to ESCC T&E failed to elicit any information regarding the amount of money they had managed to claim from insurance companies over the past three years for the replacement of road signs damaged by their insured drivers. From this I can only conclude that they have not bothered, but surprise, surprise they have now handed the task of recovering such costs over to their highway contractors – perhaps in three years time such information will be available, but somehow I doubt it.

There is another angle to this. Every individual or company that provides goods or services has a duty of care to ensure that their actions or inaction do not cause danger to the public. Somehow the local and national highway authorities appear to have slipped under the radar of this particular requirement. It is about time those responsible for the safety of our highways were brought to book to ensure that road signs, upon which road users are reliant, are maintained in good condition and when damaged are replaced as soon as possible.

Leading light: MSA South East chair Jo Chapman addresses the meeting

The DVSA view: Mark Aston, DTAM, outlines what the agency’s examiners will be looking for on the Standards Check

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 45

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Regional news: West Midlands/ South East

Authority forced to back down in Coventry’s ‘battle of the bus lane’ TERRY PEARCE

Editor, West Midlands

I am sorry if I keep writing about bus lanes but the news is good this issue as my colleague has won his appeal against his penalty notice for driving in a bus lane – and we’ve received a great deal of support from the local media, too.

To my colleague’s victory first, we’re elated but it is only the first round of our battle with the council.

We want to get the money back for the other 6,077 motorists who were caught between October 2013 and January 2014! In the first month, on average, 115 motorists were being caught every DAY. Coventry is either full of poor drivers or something was drastically wrong!

The council decided not to contest my colleague’s appeal so the adjudicator directed that the appeal is allowed without consideration of any evidence or the merits of the case. I was not surprised the council did not contest it because if they had, they would have had a ruling from the adjudicator stating the bus lane was incorrectly marked. As far as I am concerned, the fact that they did not contest the action means they know they are wrong!

Before I found out about the result of the appeal I contacted my colleague’s local councillor. My colleague had also contacted him on the matter, but after checking with council officials the councillor had been told the markings were correct. After seeing a comment from the councillor in a free newspaper I tried again and sent him the pictures I had taken. After meeting him he was completely behind us.

The timing was good because it was just before the council’s monthly open meeting where he was

able to ask the Cabinet Member for Public Services some questions about the matter.

His first question related to the bus lane on Sky Blue Way. When he asked “does she believe that all penalty notices issued by the council were both legally and morally right”. The councillor rose to answer him, said “yes” and sat down.

He went on to explain that one of his constituents, who was one of many drivers fined, is a driving instructor by profession, and that he believed the council had dismissed his appeal before it ended up being heard by the adjudicator.

The council had insisted to him, via its officers, that it had been correct in the tickets it had issued, but if this were true, could she therefore explain why her department did not contest the appeal?

Her response was that she did not know the ins and outs of that particular case so could not comment, but would go away and find out.

He then said that the council has been informed by a local driving instructors’ association that some of the road markings and signage were misleading and contrary to DFT guidance, yet it continued to issue fines to drivers despite the uncertainty.

He asked if the council was going to refund all penalty notices issued on Sky Blue Way up to when they were corrected. He also asked that if the signs were in accordance with DFT guidance, why work had been done to change them.

The Cabinet Member replied: “Signs have not been corrected; they have always been correct to

Media rights: Front page spotlight for the ADIs’ ‘battle of the bus lanes’

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DFT guidelines”. She went on to explain the reason work been done was to open certain bus lanes to allow motorbikes to use them.

(What regulation states that the road markings are different is a mystery to me.)

They agreed to discuss the matter more and will arrange for me to have a meeting with both of them. What I found interesting listening to the exchange of views on the council webcast was the Cabinet Member’s repeated insistence that her officers know what they are doing.

My opinion is that the council’s officers know they are wrong, that is why they did not contest the appeal. I think they hope that if they keep saying the markings were correct everyone will eventually believe them and go away. No chance! Only time will tell who is correct.

We’ve certainly stirred up a hornet’s nest. At the end of March the local media got really interested in the story. First, my local newspaper, the Coventry Telegraph, printed an article on the story (we even made the front page) and this was followed up by our local Coventry and Warwickshire radio station, who interviewed me on the Breakfast Show. Host Shane O’Connor debated the issue with me and one of the councillor’s responsible for the fiasco: to say he wiped the floor with her is an understatement!

Finally, our regional chairman, Geoff Little, and I made it on to ITV Central’s TV news bulletin.

It was great exposure and just shows how many ripples you can make if you push hard enough and you have a good case.

We’ll keep the pressure on and I’ll let you have more details on this media interest next time.

Another reminder about the opportunity to go into our regional draw. To enter all you have to do is recommend a new member for our region. If they join and give your membership number as shown in Newslink where you “recommend a colleague”, you will not only receive a £10 M&S voucher you will go into our regional draw for £100.

What better incentive to get your colleagues to join us!

Potholes, lights and safety concerns

by Rod Came MSA South East Editor At the Standards Check meeting in Ashford I asked what subjects the assembled throng would like me to write about, or to give my slanted appreciation thereof. The two mentioned were lights on vehicles and potholes, one of which irritates and the other damages.

Starting in the reverse order, let us consider potholes. The first point we have to mull over is what is a pothole? Your view of a pothole will no doubt vary from that of your local highway authority. The East Sussex County Council website asks if it is as big as a football, for instance; is that across or down?

On the other hand, an ADI would consider that anything that causes a

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Is this a pothole? Is it the size of a football?

And if a hole in the road isn’t big enough to be classed as a pothole, what is it called?

driver to take avoiding action by changing course or speed to be a hazard.

An imperfection in the road surface which involves such a manoeuvre is

inherently dangerous and should be rectified urgently, not wait until it resembles a meteorite’s crater.

A local ADI told me recently that he

had to replace three tyres in as many weeks due to pothole damage. This situation is unacceptable. The more worrying aspect is the tyres which do not show damage either by being deflated or having chunks gouged out of them, as they are most likely to fail under high-speed cornering with catastrophic results. An accident waiting to happen?

Yes! The link to report potholes in East Sussex is; http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/ roadsand transport/roads/maintenance/ potholes/potholes.htm Undoubtedly other counties have a similar system – now is the time to use it.

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Regional news: East Midlands/ South East

Industry turmoil makes it an easier decision to hang up my ADI badge DAVE pepperdine Editor, East Midlands

Hello, all. Well, I’ve gone and done it! Retired from driver training that is.

I returned to the job in 2010 full of enthusiasm and have enjoyed my work since then but, and it is a very big ‘but’ (no smutty comments please... and I know the ‘experts’ in motivation and the like will be on my back for saying this), I have just found the whole industry in such turmoil mainly because of the empty promises from Government in relation to how the industry should change.

Yes, road safety in general needs to be in the forefront of most peoples’ minds and getting road deaths reduced has to be a priority. But everybody seems to have a different view on the way learners should be taught. Colin Lilly has hit on this subject in his columns in Newslink very well.

For instance, I have heard test centre tittle-tattle that examiners are now accepting crossed hands, coasting, etc.

I have also read on the forums that looking over the right shoulder before moving off is not a necessity. If this is the case then why bother having driving lessons or a driving test!

I am sorry if I sound old-fashioned but there has to be some form of conformity and of late it seems that it is going out of the window. Now, there are some things that have changed over the years such as block changes, etc, but some of the things that are being bandied about now are verging on dangerous.

Until I retired I used the Roadcraft method and

Then we come onto lights on vehicles. It is a strange time of year to be talking of lights; the days are getting longer, the dark hours getting shorter, so why lights?

Car manufacturers must be really frustrated people. Whatever innovation they want to introduce into their vehicles they are restricted by regulation. In the 1970s Volvo introduced daytime running lights (DRLs) to make vehicles more visible on sunny days. In the UK in the 1980s we had cars with dim-dip headlights which served the same purpose. Both of these systems had the benefit of showing the rear lights of the vehicle as well. The latest incarnation of this idea is to have very bright LED front DRLs, in my view a very good step forward, but of course it has to be altered from the original because all the power used by a vehicle has to be generated by the fuel it burns.

Manufacturers are bending over backwards to

Contact Dave Pepperdine can be contacted via e: pepsphx7@ hotmail.co.uk

found that being fairly strict in using the system always paid off.

Surely an ADI should be seen as an ambassador for road safety (contrary to opinion, I am not being holier than thou) and everyone makes mistakes, but recently I have seen ADIs eating, smoking and even one who looked like he was sleeping on lessons.

I’ve also seen a school car parked across a pavement with hazards on. Not a good advert for the trade (yes, someone on one of the forums doesn’t like it when we mention professionals or profession).

He is probably right; it could be an infringement of some sort of rule or regulation. Judging by the way people are driving it would seem the whole driver education system is falling apart.

Take, for instance, this morning when I had to take my daughter to Newark along the A1. It was very foggy, in some parts it was down to about 40-50 metres visibility. I noticed that a considerable number of vehicles had no lights on whatsoever and their speed must have been in the 70s, with no more than two-three car lengths between them. I did not see one police vehicle in the 15-mile journey, either moving or stationary, and most vehicles were travelling in lane 2 with lane 1 virtually empty.

I was making safe progress at around 50 with no one in the way. It would appear that if anyone dares to say that more policing is needed and stiffer penalties administered it is going against human rights and liberties, etc, and people like me that dare to complain are judged as old-fashioned and not forward-thinking.

We shall see in the passage of time. Maybe there is a place in society for a totally autonomous car; it will certainly be needed!

reduce the CO2 output of their complete range of products. In order to help towards achieving this they fit the required front DRLs but they do not fit any to the rear.

I find it rather embarrassing to be driving in a situation where DRLs are ideal for making my car obvious to other road users where headlights would be inappropriate, but not having any rear lights showing. The alternative is to drive on parking lights, which is a non-starter.

So by the manufacturers keeping their overall range CO2 output down they are actually putting it up in real life driving, that is in situations when drivers have to use headlights to show rear lights and therefore increase their fuel consumption. Daft, isn’t it?

I do hope everyone had a great time at the national conference. It is usually a very good weekend so if you have not attended before give it a try in 2015. You will, I am sure, enjoy it.

Just to add to my earlier rant, all the so-called modernisation of driver training that is taking place at the moment and yet you still have to take a different test to pilot an automatic gearbox. How backward-thinking is that?

There are more and more cars being released with tiptronic/ paddle shift autos and not just in the upper price segment either; you can buy a Toyota Aygo with an automated gear shift for under 10k so why do we have to take another test? Could it be something to do with increased revenue?

Cynical? Me? Naaaaa.

Round my area the council is going mad re-doing road markings which are long overdue and very welcome, but the pot holes /craters/ quarries seem to be getting bigger and very little, apart from a bit of badly administered tar filling, is being done – but I did notice that the mayor’s car is being replaced on a regular basis!

One day I will write something with a positive nature attached to it. Maybe someone out there has something positive? Let me know about it.

Please let all the regional editors have your input so your opinion can be voiced. I am sure we can all take a bit of flak. Otherwise I might be tempted to start my monthly bit about H7 PEP that I used to do many years ago. That plate will soon be adorning a Toyota IQ 1.0 litre. There are plenty of positive points to these little Marmite cars, so watch out!

Until next month.

Drive safe – and keep well to the left.

A Volvo displays its DRLs

MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 47

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Regional News: South Wales

DAVID JAMES

Editor, South Wales

I saw a news item recently showing a man on a bicycle on the M25. The rush hour traffic was almost stationary and he joined the motorway to find a way home using the hard shoulder.

The police were called in and he was stopped and escorted off the motorway for his own safety.

He was unhappy that the police had been called and did not agree that he was taken away from the motorway.

It seems he felt that because his satnav was directing him onto the M25 he should be allowed to travel on there with his bicycle. He received a fixed penalty ticket to help him to remember that he is not allowed to cycle on motorways.

We all make mistakes and probably try to put them to the back of the mind afterwards. What about a case where someone knows they may be doing wrong but use circumstances to go around the rules for convenience?

I think we are all capable of doing that but avoid it because we have a motivation to avoid being caught out and punished. I feel that because I have worked hard for every licence or qualification I have ever achieved I don’t want to risk losing them.

I am sure everyone else who has involvement with driver training also takes care to keep their standards up. There have been huge efforts made over the years to improve driver standards, in particular for new drivers.

This has involved the driver training sector, government agencies, road safety organisations, expert research all of which is excellent news but is it as effective as it should be?

I recall when I was a new driver being conscious of uniformed police and aware that bad driving behaviours could be punished by the legal system. I would be interested to know how the reduced levels of roads policing has affected driving behaviours. I am sure I am not alone in finding that when we are in a liveried driving school car trying to teach a learner to drive safely within legal limits, it doesn’t take very long to have a convoy of following vehicles, sometimes really anxious to overtake.

I recall bringing this situation up with an examiner attached to a road safety organisation. He

Driving up standards: politicians must act acknowledged that it can be a problem, even on advanced driving tests where the examiner sometimes has to find a place to pull in and let the convoy pass.

I don’t think drivers have become silly overnight but I know that with so little visible policing it takes a lot more discipline to stay safe and legal. So what about new drivers, especially the younger ones?

Even if they are coached well and do their best to stay within the bounds of safe driving, they must soon see that they are not doing what the majority of other drivers are doing.

I read a short news piece about a driver in court, not sure what he had done but he already had 11 ‘points’ on his licence and the court added 18 more!

He gave evidence that his work as a takeaway delivery driver was his only income and he would lose his job and probably his family home if the court took away his licence. The court decided not to disqualify him on this occasion; they must have felt it was justified but what message is this giving to those trying hard to drive safely?

I read Rob Beswick’s article about the role played

by Government in the February issue and I know there were some light-hearted points made but some serious ones were raised, too.

I am not making any political point here but I feel more strongly than ever that it is well past the time for those running the country to act and stop us drifting to a point where our road safety standards are on a par with those of countries who, in living memory, experts in Britain used to dismiss as being totally inferior to our own.

There was a very interesting letter in the March Newslink from Stanley McWhirter on young drivers. He has some interesting views and there should be more interest in the topic shown by senior politicians. I remember a few years ago taking part in a driving scheme with 11-17-yearolds, and being surprised with the knowledge and skill levels some of them demonstrated.

There has been plenty of research to show that the early teen years can be a time where good

Recommend a colleague to join the MSA – and receive a £10 M&S voucher Many new MSA members join on the recommendation of a colleague – and we want to make sure that if that colleague is you, you know that your work in spreading the good news about the MSA is appreciated. So if you do recommend a colleague, we’ll send you a £10 Marks & Spencer’s voucher as a thank you.

If you recommend a colleague ask them to put your membership number in the “How did you hear about the MSA?” box if they join online, or if they join over the phone, they can quote it when they submit their details to our membership team.

48 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

attitudes and behaviours can be taught so why is it not possible for this country to introduce something along these lines?

I doubt if there will be much enthusiasm among politicians for my views as there may not be any votes to be gained; usually anything new or better is considered to cost money, which is in short supply. If there was a long-term commitment and the job of educating road safety in schools was led by the same experts who have identified the problems, the value to the country and the safety of the younger generation could be properly monitored.

Looking at the MSA forum recently, there were comments from members suggesting that there are some areas of driver training which need to be improved. I echo their views and I know that many ADIs during at least the past 25 years have tried to discuss and find ways to highlight some of these issues.

I think that ADIs should keep up these efforts.

One problem which comes with being a qualified ADI is that we have to have a suitable car fitted with dual controls to satisfy our insurers as well as being able to demonstrate that we are maintaining our teaching standards.

In order for the driver training industry to survive and improve it will need to become an industry. I have long held the view that an industry which allows people to use ‘professionals’ – or well meaning amateurs – to train new drivers is a ‘cottage’ industry.

How would it be if this were applied to other occupations or professions? Would we end up going to the barber to have a trim and a dental filling? How about a local medicine man (or woman)?

These might be light –hearted comments and I am not trying to make a direct comparison to medical professions but there are some areas of qualification and control in all professions which ensure that only those qualified can practice.

Dreaming over, back to work now - if I can find some!

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Available only to MSA members Great advice from just £6.50 each THE MSA has three popular ADI guides, which are bang up-to-date with the latest changes to the driver training and testing sector – and we are publishing a new guide soon on the Standards Check The MSA Part 2 Guide; the MSA Driving Test Guide and the MSA PDI Guide provide help for instructors at different stages of the career ladder. They are all written by experienced ADIs and provide insight and advice for all instructors, no matter what stage of their careers they are at.

The MSA Part 2 Guide is designed to assist those studying to take the ADI Part 2 examination by bringing much of the theoretical information together in one place. It is not a substitute for training or for a thorough study of other literature, in particular the DSA manual Driving - The Essential Skills and the Highway Code.

It explains the three sections of the ADI Part 2 examination and gives advice on what to do when you arrive at the test centre, including the documentation you need to take with you and the way the safety check questions will be conducted.

The MSA Driving Test Guide is designed to explain how the driving test works, what examiners are looking for and what the markings on the DL25 marking sheet actually mean.

It details the duties of a professional driving instructor who presents pupils for test and goes on to explain the driving test assessment guidelines, and gives full details of the differences between driving faults/serious faults and dangerous faults. The guide goes on to give details of how errors are categorised in order to assist ADIs in interpreting the DL25, the Driving Test Report form.

The MSA PDI Guide provides help for those who want to become ADIs. It gives details of all three sections of the ADI examinations and explains the qualification system.

Coming soon...

Watch out for a fourth guide, to replace our best-selling Check Test Guide, on the new Standards Check.

This is still being written but copies will be available to purchase within weeks, giving you all the advice, information and details you need to make sure the Check goes off without any problems

Just £6.50 each

These invaluable tools for all ADIs are available to purchase from MSA head office at a cost of just £6.50 each. Telephone 0161 429 9669 now with a credit or debit card, or send a cheque made payable to the MSA to MSA Head Office, 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP.

* Initial application £90, includes one-off joining fee of £25 MSA NEWSLINK n APRIL 2014 n 49

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Motoring

Shhhh! New Meriva has a quiet secret to tell you

Don’t shout about it, but whispering Meriva is making a big noise Any ADI will tell you that the car you teach in can play a major role in the success of your school. A striking, dynamic and exciting car can bring in new customers, particularly among the impressionable younger generation that is often the instructors key market.

But while getting a vehicle that ticks all the boxes as far as young drivers is concerned is important, so to is buying a car that suits all your personal needs. Yes, you want the most economical car you can find – but it’s no good if it’s doubling as your family car and just isn’t up to the job for personal use. That’s why the introduction of the small and compact MPV classes (there is a difference!) has proved a Godsend for many instructors. Small, manoeuvrable, attractive, providing excellent visibility and economical to run, they make ideal driving school cars – yet their smaller stature masks a much larger vehicle on the inside. They provide comfortable seating for five, good interior space and a large enough boot for family trips.

They’re flexible too, with cunning seat combinations that make it possible to combine passengers with luggage in a host of ways.

The best of both worlds, make no mistake First launched in 2003, the Vauxhall Meriva can definitely lay claim to the lofty boast of having launched the small MPV sector. Key to its popularity was the unique FlexSpace rear seating system, which made the most of interior dimensions and helped provide the template for a host of competitors.

A second version arrived in 2010: this one brought with it the new FlexDoors system – rearhinged rear doors which allow a 20 per cent larger opening for passengers – and FlexSpace system, which allows rear passengers a variety of different seating combinations.

Crucially, the changes shifted the Meriva into a new sector, that of the compact MPV. Now firmly settled here, it currently rubs shoulders with the Fiat 500L, Citroen C3 Picasso, Nissan Note and Ford B-Max, among others. It makes an even better

50 n APRIL 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK

Key facts Vauxhall Meriva 1.3CDTi

Price: £17,910 Economy (mpg): @ urban: 50.4 @ ext urban 67.3 @ combined: 60.1 CO2 emissions: 124 g/km VED Band: D 0-62mph: 16.9 secs

proposition for ADIs as despite major increases in interior dimensions there is only a small increase in floorplan, keeping dimensions compact enough to ensure learners don’t feel intimidated.

It‘s certainly still popular with families, and it’s all down to this marvellous combination of versatility, space, safety and ease of access offered by its unique FlexDoors.

The latest version went on sale last month. The new model has a refined exterior, thanks to a new grille and newly-designed headlamps with an ‘eagle-eye’ graphic. On upper trim levels there’s higher chrome content, including chrome accents that frame the front fog lamps.

An elegant, all-new chrome beltline swoops down the side of the vehicle, highlighting the wave design that accentuates the rear window and offers additional visibility to small children sitting in the rear seats.

For the first time, LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights are available as an option.

Complementing the design revisions are new optional 18-inch alloy wheels, which are rare in this segment.

The family of petrol engines powering the Meriva are all Euro 6 compliant, and the diesel options are ultra-frugal.

There are seven options available, three petrol and four diesel, including Vauxhall’s new 1.6-litre CDTi engine. In addition, all new Meriva benefits from substantially revised, low friction transmissions which offer better efficiency and much more precise and smooth shift operation.

Clearly one ADIs should consider is the new ‘Whisper Diesel’ 1.6 CDTi engine. Euro-6 compliant engine, it is already setting a high benchmark in the industry for efficiency and refinement, produces 136PS and 320Nm of torque at 2,000rpm, yet achieves a remarkable 64.2mpg combined and 116g/km of CO2 emissions.

Additional fuel economy is achieved through Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX technology and a Start/Stop system comprising a reinforced starter motor and

high performance battery with intelligent controls and sensor.

As its name suggests, it is stunningly quiet, one of the quietest engines in its class. Its refinement is due to its highly efficient combustion process and clever use of acoustic covers. A composite intake manifold (encapsulated in an acoustic padding and an external plastic shield), the plastic cam cover (fully decoupled from the engine) and the scissor gears in the timing drive system all contribute to exceptional engine refinement.

The three petrol engines – 1.4 100PS, 1.4T 120PS and 140PS – are among the most fuel efficient available, with combined cycle figures in the mid-40s. The naturally-aspirated entry-level version produces 100PS and the two turbocharged variants offer 120PS and 140PS, producing 175Nm and 200Nm of maximum torque respectively. The 120PS is also available with an automatic gearbox.

The entry-level 1.4-litre, naturally-aspirated Twinport engine develops 100PS at 6,000 rpm. It achieves 47.1mpg on the combined cycle.

The 1.4-litre Turbo version is available in two states of tune. The 1.4 Turbo produces 120PS and 175Nm of torque between 1,750 and 4,800 rpm, together with 0-62mph acceleration in 11.3 seconds, yet offers fuel consumption of just 47.9mpg.

Strong performance with flexibility is the focus of the 140PS version. Torque of 200Nm is generated between 1,850rpm to 4,900rpm, helping it achieve 0-62mph in just 10.1 seconds. Combined fuel consumption is 44.8mpg.

Ride is superb: indeed, the steering programme was developed as a bespoke UK option, with the electro-hydraulic power steering system tuned to suit our unique road surfaces. At the front, the McPherson struts features have enlarged top mountings which separate the paths of the spring and damper loadings to improve the steering response and ride comfort. The springs are also designed to resist side loadings, which reduce friction in the movement of the damper.

www.partnersprogramme.co.uk

LOGIN: DRIVING

EYE CANDY SWEET INCENTIVES

YOUR ASSOCIATE PARTNERS DISCOUNT PLUS

APR 0% FINANCE FLEXIBLE

REPRESENTATIVE

CHOOSE YOUR CAR Select a new vehicle.

CHOOSE YOUR DEPOSIT Any deposit. We’ll give you at least £500 to get you started.**

CHOOSE YOUR TERM From 24 to 60 months.

VAUXHALL LIFETIME WARRANTY Lifetime 100,000 mile warranty.

First registered owner.

Offers end 1st July 2014, to find out more visit: www.partnersprogramme.co.uk, call 0844 875 2448 or visit your Vauxhall Retailer.

www.partnersprogramme.co.uk

WARRANTY 100,000 MILE

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km). Vauxhall range (excl. Ampera): Urban: 14.4 (19.6) - 76.3 (3.7), Extra-urban: 27.4 (10.3) 91.1 (3.1), Combined: 18.0 (15.7) - 85.6 (3.3). CO 2 emissions: 373 - 88g/km.# Available on selected models only, at participating Retailers. Finance subject to status. Terms and Conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 or over. Finance supplied by Vauxhall Finance, PO Box 6666, Cardiff, CF15 7YT. Offer will apply to Vauxhall Partners only. **Vauxhall Deposit Contributions vary and exclude certain models. Refer to www.vauxhall.co.uk/offers or contact your local Vauxhall Retailer for details. Vauxhall Lifetime warranty covers lifetime ownership of first registered keeper, 100,000 mile limit. Terms and conditions apply. Offers available on orders or registrations before 2 July 2014. We can introduce you to a finance provider, commission may be received. #Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. For Partners Terms and Conditions go to partnersprogramme.co.uk/legal-notice-and-privacy-policy. Correct at time of going to print 19/03/2014.

Becoming an AA Driving Instructor never looked so good

We’re proud to introduce an exclusive new vehicle option for all new AA Driving Instructors* – the recently launched 1.0 Ford Fiesta Titanium Ecoboost. With just the right combination of style, economy and comfort, you could be one of the first behind the wheel of these brand new cars – just join us today.

SPECIFICATION INCLUDES: • Fuel savings of up to £1,000 a year** with EcoBoost • 67 MPG on a combined cycle • 125 BHP

*Offer subject to availability of vehicle stock. **Saving is not guaranteed. Calculation based on current Ford Fiesta 1.4 Zetec petrol model MPG 49.6, assuming you drive an average of 600 miles per week and petrol costs £1.40/litre.

To find out more call the AA Driving School

0800 107 1552