The test of instructional ability
Objective: To assess the ability of the candidate to identify and prioritise risk areas in a customers driving and compile a risk profile. Risks should be reduced by using appropriate coaching methods. A final risk profile should be communicated at the end of the session. The test will last for approx 60 minutes and will require the candidate to:
- Give a short presentation designed to initially raise awareness of occupational road risk. It should be interactive and contain validation.
- Involve the customer in an interactive practical vehicle check which demonstrates the knowledge of basic mechanical principles and legal requirements.
- Demonstrate all pre-start checks.
- Assess customers driving.
- Communicate effectively to the customer, a risk assessment.
- Provide and demonstrate appropriate coaching methods that would reduce those risks identified.
- Communicate a final profile of the customer's driving, highlighting key strengths and weaknesses where appropriate.
Role Play Customer Portrayals: To enable the examiner to measure your competence to deliver driver developmental training, he/she will role-play a customer with various strengths and weaknesses. The customer portrayed will be chosen by the examiner from one of the following topics:
- Experienced company car driver attending for driving development.
- Inexperienced company car driver attending for driving development.
- Experienced company van driver attending for driver development.
- Inexperienced company van driver attending for driver development
Role Play Topics: The examiner will assess competence and will choose one of the following topics to be used in role-play. This will be in the form of simulation and/or questioning by the examiner. However, you must note that you will not be told which topic area. It will be for you to identify the strengths and weaknesses from the role-play and driving portrayed. The topics are:
- Attitude and culture.
- Legal requirements.
- Driver and passenger safety.
- Vehicle safety and sympathy.
- Vehicle loading and security.
- Dealing with aggressive drivers.
- Environmental effects.
The topic areas are self explanatory and reflect the issues you are likely to encounter when engaged in ‘occupational driver training’. A well prepared instructor should have little difficulty in identifying the topic selected by the examiner.
Result: You will be advised of the result shortly after the conclusion of the test. Furthermore, you will be given a concise verbal debrief along with a copy of the examiner's marking sheet. If you pass, you will be provided with a letter confirming this, which is also the declaration you must complete before a certificate will be issued.
Registration: Remember to state the address and telephone number under which you wish to be registered if intending to give instruction to members of the public. The completed declaration should be sent to the DSA Nottingham with two passport type photographs and the registration fee. In the event of you failing, the examiner will confirm this with a letter, which is also the application form for your next attempt. However, let's not be downbeat, this a time to think and act positively. In other words, if you prepare properly and rise to the occasion there is every reason to be confident that you should pass first time. The instructional staff at ‘The Driving Training Centre’ will do everything possible to provide you with the necessary support and guidance to achieve success.