Blog posts from May 2009

On a totally non-driving topic, I’m pleased to announce that South Brum Driving School is one of the sponsors for the Bournville Musical Theatre Company’s forthcoming production of “Chess, the musical” which will be playing at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham from 2 June to 6 June 2009.  

So why not get yourself some tickets and go along and support them.

Visit the BMTC website for more details

In an earlier post I touched on the fact that the driving test and driving tuition is going to change.  Some of those changes have been decided upon, and the DSA is in the process of introducing them.

There will be several stages to the introduction of these changes and the following is stage one, taken from the summary of the main decisions of the DSA from the report on the Learning to drive consultation

1.  Continued roll out across Great Britain of the new pre-driver qualification in safe road use.

2.  Introduction of a partial credit for the theory test for those awarded the new pre-driver qualification in safe road use – target date October 2009.

3.  Introduction of case studies for the theory test for learner drivers with the next update of the theory question bank – target date October 2009.

4.  Continued research and trialling of driver training syllabus and workbook, attitude adviser, record of test readiness, independent driving and 3D animation.

5.  A trial to assess the effectiveness of the proposed new learning to drive syllabus – By March 2010 .

6.  Undertake a consultation on modernising driver training including proposals to enable a more informed choice of instructor – by March 2010.

7.  Analysis of the implications of separating the published theory test questions, from the theory questions used in the actual test – by Spring 2010.

Then during the 2010/2011 financial year the following decisions will be implemented:

1.  Introduction of an assessment of competence whilst driving independently into all practical tests for learner drivers – shifting the current emphasis on manoeuvring and creating the opportunity to open out test routes and increase the driving time by reducing the number of special manoeuvres – target date October 2010.

2.  Supervising drivers to sit in on car practical tests and debrief – Target date October 2010.

3. Continue research and trial the use of 3D animation by spring 2011 for:

     the current hazard perception test

     the 2^nd generation hazard perception test

     introducing situational judgement into the theory test

4.  Introduce a new, improved Pass Plus scheme – by March 2011

The full report can be found on the DSA website in the form of a PDF file.

I intend to write a further post on these changes to show how they will directly affect you as learners.

From 17 May 2009 the DSA is changing the way it decides which test centres will offer out-of-hours tests.   Appointments classed as out-of-hours are those offered at the weekend and, during the summer, weekday early mornings and evenings.
 

These will only be available at test centres where there is a high demand, and not at those where there isn’t.
 

I would imagine that all of the test centres in Birmingham will fit into this category, but contact the DSA after 17 May if you'd like to check.