The programme objectives are to improve driving standards and passenger comfort by enabling bus operators to act on objective reports about driver attitude and behaviour, as observed by experienced AA DriveTech assessors. AA DriveTech has unrivalled experience of this type of work, carrying out in excess of 50,000 driver assessments annually for a wide range of organisations in both the public and private sectors.

All the covert assessments will be carried out using identical criteria and reporting mechanisms to ensure consistency throughout the programme. The contract will run for an initial three year period.

“AA DriveTech recognises the necessity for, and importance of, impartial, independent and consistent assessment of bus drivers,” says Jason Vallint, AA DriveTech’s Business Development Director. “Given the enormity of the Driver Quality Monitoring task in London, created by the myriad of routes, bus operating companies and thousands of professional bus drivers, AA DriveTech provides the necessary confidence for industry stakeholders and passengers that the standard of both bus assessment and driving in London will be maintained and ultimately raised.”

In the first six weeks of the contract AA DriveTech has conducted over 1000 of the anonymous driver assessments and aims to complete over 7,500 by the commencement of the London Olympics.

More information about AA DriveTech’s Commercial and Passenger Vehicle Division and its extensive range of services applicable to those who drive or manage bus and coach fleets can be obtained from www.aadrivetech.com.

‘Find your nearest driving instructors’ is available on Directgov. It lists fully qualified driving instructors who have signed up to be listed, and allows users to search for instructors closest to them by typing in their postcode.

Learners will also be able to see if an instructor has signed up to the voluntary code of practice and if they are committed to continuing their professional development. The voluntary code of practice sets out the professional standards and business ethics expected of those working in the industry.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: “This new service will make life easier for learner drivers and parents looking for qualified instructors in their area. I hope that this will allow people to make more informed choices about who they want to teach them to drive.”

Once qualified, approved instructors are tested regularly by DSA to ensure they are delivering the required standard of instruction, and are subject to ongoing enhanced criminal record checks. They display a green badge in their windscreen during lessons.

Trainee driving instructors will not be listed in the directory. However, trainee driving instructors can do a limited amount of teaching to gain experience and must display a pink badge in their windscreen to indicate that they are not yet fully qualified. (DSA).

‘Find your nearest driving instructors’ is available on Directgov. It lists fully qualified driving instructors who have signed up to be listed, and allows users to search for instructors closest to them by typing in their postcode.

Learners will also be able to see if an instructor has signed up to the voluntary code of practice and if they are committed to continuing their professional development. The voluntary code of practice sets out the professional standards and business ethics expected of those working in the industry.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: “This new service will make life easier for learner drivers and parents looking for qualified instructors in their area. I hope that this will allow people to make more informed choices about who they want to teach them to drive.”

Once qualified, approved instructors are tested regularly by DSA to ensure they are delivering the required standard of instruction, and are subject to ongoing enhanced criminal record checks. They display a green badge in their windscreen during lessons.

Trainee driving instructors will not be listed in the directory. However, trainee driving instructors can do a limited amount of teaching to gain experience and must display a pink badge in their windscreen to indicate that they are not yet fully qualified.

Currently test routes used by each driving test centre are published online but this will stop when new routes are introduced at the beginning of October.

This change is being made to support the introduction of independent driving, which will allow candidates to demonstrate their ability to drive safely in more realistic driving situations rather than memorising a particular test route.

Mike Penning said: “We want new drivers to be able to drive safely and independently and learning to drive test routes by rote isn’t the way to achieve this.

“Stopping the publication of test routes will help to make sure that the driving test better reflects realistic driving conditions and will give new drivers the skills and confidence they need to stay safe on the roads.”

DSA’s Chief Driving Examiner Trevor Wedge said: “Evidence shows that the biggest challenge newly qualified drivers face after passing their test is learning how to cope when they no longer have their instructor there to help and prompt them.”

“We want to make sure that new drivers and riders are ready to make their own decisions when driving alone; learning how to do that in preparation for their test should lead to better and safer drivers.”

On Wednesday (1 September) Balbir Singh, 41, from Croydon appeared at Ipswich Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to 16 offences of fraud by false representation and identity offences, and asked for a further 12 offences to be taken into consideration.

Andy Rice, head of the DSA’s fraud and integrity team said: “Driving test impersonation is a serious offence which puts law abiding road users at risk.

“Cases such as this are rare but we investigate all suspected incidents and work closely with the Police to make sure that those responsible are brought to justice.

“We welcome today’s sentence which shows that those found guilty of driving test fraud will be punished by the courts.”

Singh was arrested at Ipswich Driving Test Centre in June, but committed offences around the country. An application has been made to seize £1,120 in cash, found in his car, as the proceeds of crime. His Volkswagen Golf was also retained by the police as it was used in the commission of a crime.

Vishal Aggarwal, aged 35, from West Drayton, London was sentenced to 30 months in prison and his sister Vanita Aggarwal, aged 33, also from West Drayton, received nine months imprisonment.

They appeared in the dock with four candidates who had paid them to arrange and take their theory tests for them.

Jatinder Kaur Randhawa, 44, from Ilford, Priya Patel, 29, from Wembley, and Shazia Syed, 30, from Slough were each given 120 hours community service and Sita Rani Dhadwal, 31, from Birmingham, received an 18-month supervision order.

All the defendants faced charges of conspiracy to defraud and the Aggarwals each faced another charge of possessing an identity document with intent to commit fraud.

The court was told that Vishal Aggarwal was involved in a crime ring and had turned the impersonation of theory test candidates into a family business with his sister.

Financial statements recorded that out of 100 theory tests, 50 were arranged to be impersonated at a cost of £450 each, with Vishal Aggarwal paying about £250 to an impersonator.

The other 50 were booked on behalf of others in the crime ring using his sister’s credit card, for which he received a £70 flat fee.

The crime came to light when theory test staff became suspicious about the identity of an individual who attended for test at Aldershot. Following an investigation, a test at Bury St Edmunds was identified as one that may be impersonated. Investigators waited for the individual to arrive and saw Vanita being dropped off by Vishal. When Vanita came out of the test centre she was arrested and her brother was arrested afterwards.

When Vanita Aggarwal’s bedroom was searched, a ‘shopping list’ of candidates whom she had impersonated and who she was going to impersonate was found, which identified test centres and dates.

Andy Rice, head of DSA’s Fraud and Integrity Team said: “People who impersonate at driving tests present a real risk to all road users, as they provide an entitlement to drive to those who have not been assessed to show that they are competent to do so.

“In addition to obtaining the qualification to drive, many people seek possession of a full UK driving licence to establish proof of identity. Once obtained, that licence may also be used as proof of identity in a variety of other circumstances, such as obtaining state benefits and accommodation, opening bank accounts, obtaining credit cards and even undertaking domestic air travel. We are grateful for the co-operation and work done by Suffolk police in bringing this case to a welcome conclusion.”

DSA investigates all reported cases of fraud surrounding the driving test procedure and works closely with the police and criminal justice agencies to identify offenders and bring them to court.

The measures are contained in a consultation on the implementation of new European requirements on driver testing, training, examination and licensing which come into force in 2013. Other motorists will not be affected.

At present, drivers of medium-sized and large buses and lorries need to renew their licences every five years once they reach the age of 45. Over-45s also need to demonstrate their fitness to drive through a full medical report.

From 2013, under-45s who drive these vehicles will also need to confirm  medical fitness and renew their licence every five years.  However, under-45s will not require a full medical report and will still only need to renew their photograph every 10 years. All other drivers and riders will continue to renew their driving licences every 10 years as is currently the case.

Candidates who take the theory test for car drivers, moped and motorcycle riders will be asked some of the questions in a case study format.

The introductory theory test case study will take the form of a scenario, or short story, on which five multiple choice questions will be based. Candidates will answer the questions in the normal way using the touch screen or mouse.

The case study will assess candidates’ understanding of driving theory, whilst the multiple choice questions will continue to assess their knowledge of the subject.
DSA’s Director of Driver Education and Learning, Jill Lewis, said: “Case studies are widely used in education to put learning into context and test comprehension of a subject, so many candidates will have encountered this type of question before.

The DSA has joined YouTube to publish official road safety videos on the world’s largest video sharing service, with over 100 million videos viewed every day.

Nick Carter, the DSA’s Director of Strategy & Performance, said: “Using YouTube will let DSA reach a wider audience than ever before – we want to talk to our audiences on the platfortms we know they use.

“By putting our videos on YouTube, we’re catering for the growing number of people whose first choice to find information is to go online.”

Visitors to the DSA channel can embed video content directly into their own websites or blogs, put it into forums, share it by email, and even link to it through social networkingsites such as Facebook.

The channel – youtube.com/dsagov – is being used to post road safety videos, which offer advice to test candidates and other road users.

Content so far includes videos of the modular motorcycle test and the Are You Ready? films for car and motorcycle candidates. During testing, it was viewed more than 42,000 times by users.

There is also an example of the new case study questions being introduced into the theory test from 28 September.

Are You Ready? is currently sent in DVD form to all candidates booking a theory test. The intention is that production of the DVD will be scaled down as more customers view it online. It will remain available on DVD on request.

DSA’s use of social media also includes a popular Twitter feed.

The warning comes as CPC rules are due to come into force for Large Goods Vehicles drivers from 10 September.

VOSA’s Traffic Enforcement Policy spokesman Peter McIntyre says: “Our enforcement officers would not use this card to check driver exemption as it has no legal validity. We don’t want drivers to be spending money on something they don’t need.”

Under the current rules drivers who gain their initial Driver CPC after 10 September 2008 Public Goods Vehicles (PGV) or 10 September 2009 Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) are required to complete four modules before they can receive their Driver Qualification Card which they must keep with their driving licence. To retain the Driver CPC, 35 hours of periodic training must then be completed within a 5-year period, and every subsequent 5 year period.

Drivers who had LGV or PCV entitlement on their driving licence at the implementation dates will need to complete 35 hours of training within five years of the implementation date to receive their Driver CPC qualification card and then complete 35 hours of training every subsequent five years, if they wish to continue to drive professionally

Such training could include courses in subjects such as Disability Awareness, Tachograph Regulations and Safe and Fuel-Efficient Driving

As part of the multiple choice section of the test, the case study will assess candidates’ understanding of driving theory, whilst the multiple choice questions will continue to assess their knowledge of the subject.

The introductory theory test case study will take the form of a scenario, or short story, on which five questions will be based. Candidates will answer the questions in the same way as they do now, using either the touch screen or mouse.

DSA’s Director of Driver Education and Learning, Jill Lewis, said: “Case studies are widely used in education to put learning into context and test comprehension of a subject, so many candidates will have encountered this type of question before.

“Initially we are introducing one case study based on existing questions in the theory test question bank, to get candidates used to the concept. It will also allow us to monitor any impact on the theory test. Over time, we plan to introduce more case studies into the theory test to assess candidates’ understanding of what they have learned.”

Changes to the theory test are part of Learning to Drive, a long-term programme of major reforms that will progressively strengthen the way that people learn to drive and are tested. This approach received general support from the almost 7,000 people who responded to the consultation.

Offender Mariam Bibi, of Sheffield, today admitted one charge of fraud by misrepresentation at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court. She was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 costs towards the case, plus an additional victims’ surcharge of £15.

Bibi, 29, was struck off The Register of Approved Driving Instructors in October 2008 after failing to meet the standard of instruction required. However, she continued to teach illegally, duping learner drivers into believing she was still an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).

It is against the law to receive money or monies worth in exchange for driving tuition unless you are a qualified, registered ADI.

Suspicions about Bibi were raised by driving test centre staff, who knew Bibi had been struck off and informed the DSA Fraud & Integrity Team that she was still teaching. In a joint investigation by DSA and South Yorkshire Police, Bibi was stopped at Middlewood Road Driving Test Centre as she presented a candidate for test.

DSA’s driving instructor registrar, Charles Morton, said:  “Our message is clear: if you are not an ADI qualified to teach learner drivers, but continue teaching for money or monies worth, you can expect to face penalties.

“Illegal instructors are a danger to the public. They have not been assessed by us to ensure they are able to provide driving instruction to required standards.”

Mr Morton continued: “It is very simple to check that a driving instructor is qualified. Ensure they display an in-date pink or green badge in their windscreen during lessons and that the photo on the badge matches the person providing the instruction.

“The pink badge indicates that they have trainee status and are entitled to give paid instruction whilst acquiring practical experience. The green badge indicates their name is in The Register of Approved Driving Instructors, they are fully qualified to give paid instruction and are subject to regular checks by DSA to ensure their continued competence and suitability to give instruction.”

The head of the DSA Fraud and Integrity Team, Andy Rice, added: “We investigate all reported cases of suspected illegal instruction and work closely with the police and criminal justice agencies to identify offenders and prosecute”.

HGV drivers who currently hold a full licence  will not be required to take the initial qualification examinations. However, they will need to complete 35 hours of periodic training by 2014 and every five years thereafter if they wish to continue driving professionally.

New drivers entering the industry will need to pass the Driver CPC initial qualification exams as well as holding the relevant vocational driving licence.

The exams for the new Driver CPC initial qualification comprise of a new theory test involving case studies that check and enhance drivers’ understanding and new practical test which requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of vehicle safety and security.

Trainee lorry drivers will be able to prepare for these CPC tests and the licence acquisition tests simultaneously, thereby minimising any costs or delay.