Driving Standards Agency
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and is part of the Safety, Service Delivery and Logistics (SSDL) group. This group is the result of the re-structuring of the Driver, Vehicle and Operator (DVO) group. Its maxim is 'Safe Driving for Life', and it seeks to achieve this through testing of both theoretical and practical aspects of driving, and maintenance of a good standard of driving instruction.
The responsibilities of DSA only cover Great Britain. In Northern Ireland the same role is carried out by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).
Contents |
[edit] Profile
The DSA employs around 2,500 staff, about 1,800 of whom are practical driving examiners. It has 400 practical test centres throughout the Great Britain. In 2005, the Agency carried out some 1.4 million practical car tests and 2.1 million driving theory tests.
An acquisition program for Multi-purpose Test Centres (MPTC) is underway to facilitate the provision of an enhanced motorcycle test. This practical test, derived from the Second European Driving Licence Directive, includes an off-road manoeuvre section before the current 'on-road' motorcycle test.
[edit] Cost
| Test | Pre July 2005 | July 2005 - April 2006 | April 2006 | April 2008 | 29 September 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car and Motorcycle Theory Test fee | £21.50 | £21.00 | £21.50 | £30.00 | no change | |
| Lorry and Bus Theory Test fee | no information | no information | no information | £45.00 | no change | |
| ADI Part I Theory Test fee | no information | no information | no information | £80.00 | no change | |
| Car Practical Test fee (standard weekday) | £42.00 | £45.50 | £48.50 | £56.50 | no change | |
| Car Practical Test fee (standard out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £67.50 | no change | |
| Car Practical Test fee (extended weekday) | no information | no information | no information | £113.00 | no change | |
| Car Practical Test fee (extended out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £134.00 | no change | |
| Motorcycle Practical Test fee (standard weekday) | £51.00 | £55.00 | £58.00 | £60.00 | £80.00 | |
| Motorcycle Practical Test fee (standard out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £70.00 | £92.00 | |
| Motorcycle Practical Test fee (extended weekday) | no information | no information | no information | £120.00 | £160.00 | |
| Motorcycle Practical Test fee (extended out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £140.00 | £184.00 | |
| Domestic Licence (Category: F, G, H and K) Practical Test fee (standard) | no information | no information | no information | £56.50 | no change | |
| Domestic Licence (Category: F, G, H and K) Practical Test fee (out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £67.50 | no change | |
| Car + Trailer, Lorry and Bus Practical Test fee (standard) | £80.00 | £85.00 | £89.00 | £105.00 | no change | |
| Car + Trailer, Lorry and Bus Practical Test fee (out of hours) | no information | no information | no information | £125.00 | no change | |
| ADI Part II Practical Test fee | £70.00 | £79.00 | £82.00 | £99.00 | no change | |
| ADI Part III Ability to Instruct Test fee | £70.00 | £79.00 | £82.00 | £99.00 | no change | |
| Driving instructor trainee licence fee | £100.00 | £125.00 | no change | no change | no change | |
| Theory Test Pass Certificates for organisations with delegated authority (car and motorcycle) | £10.00 | £12.00 | £14.00 | £18.50 >03/Sep/2007 | no change | |
| Theory Test Pass Certificates for organisations with delegated authority (lorry and bus) | no information | no information | no information | £29.00 | no change |
The last increases prior to July 2005 were:
- Practical car and motorcycling test - 2002
- Lorry and bus tests - 2001.
- Driving instructor test - 1997.
Sources: http://www.dsa.gov.uk/PressRelease.asp?id=4206 http://www.dsa.gov.uk/PressRelease.asp?id=145
[edit] Examinations
The UK driving test system, which you must pass to obtain a driving licence now has three components: a theory, hazard perception and a practical exam. All of these are regulated by DSA. The current pass rate for car 'L' tests is 43%.
The theory test was changed in September 2007 to include a passing mark of 43 out of 50 rather than the previous 30 out of 35. To pass the hazard perception test, a candidate must score 44 out of 75 marks.
The cost of the theory test is now £30 (01/04/2008) and the practical test is £56.50 if taken on weekdays and £67 if taken at weekends or weekday evenings.[1]
[edit] Driving Instructor Registration
DSA sets standards for Approved Driving Instructors (ADI). To qualify ADIs have to pass a four stage process involving enhanced theory and hazard perception tests, practical drive, and a test of instructional ability. The final stage of the process is a Criminal Records Bureau check. After being entered on the ADI register, ADIs are free to give driving instruction for money or monies worth. It is a condition of remaining on the register that all ADIs undergo a periodic 'test of continued ability of fitness to give instruction' also known as the 'check test'. The passage of the Road Safety Act 2006 empowered DSA to set the standards on all paid tuition, not just that of motor cars at present.
DSA also holds a voluntary register for Fleet drivers, Compulsory Basic Trainers (for Motorcycles), Large Goods Vehicle instructors and the Register of post-test motorcycle trainers. These registers provide quality standards for the relevant discipline, but are not necessary for paid tuition.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
|
|||||||||||
