Some driving test centres may be affected by the 2012 Olympic Games, and the following statement has been issued by the DSA:

Driving test delivery during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics

The Olympics will run from 27 July to12 August, and the Paralympics from 29 August to 9 September.

Each event will be a great occasion for London and the UK, but could have an impact on DSA’s ability to carry out driving tests at some places in London. The test centres that DSA believes could be affected by the Games are listed at the end of this notice.

During the Games DSA is not planning to close any test centres but will operate limited testing programmes at certain centres. By running fewer tests per day, the agency can continue to provide a service for customers whilst contributing to relieving pressure on London’s roads.

Driving test candidates across the country are set to benefit from a more convenient service as the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) extends a trial exploring a new approach to test delivery.

As well as using conventional driving test centres, the DSA has been looking at whether practical driving tests can be delivered from other venues such as local authority buildings, hotels or leisure centres.

This new approach is currently being trialled at eight locations, and following positive feedback from candidates and instructors, the DSA now plans to extend the scheme to five more areas across the country.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

The latest issue of DIDU's magazine "Empower" is now available to download.

Among the highlights is a thought provoking article explaing why it costs around £300,000 of our money to remove one ADI from the register.

Please pass this on to other ADIs.

Choose from two versions:

• Page flip online version
• PDF version

Anyone driving in (or through) France from July 2012 will need to carry a breathalyzer kit or risk a fine of €11 (£9). Single use kits cost as little as £2.00

The gadgets, designed so that drivers can test themselves to ensure they are under drink-drive limits, are the latest addition to a list of rules for driving on the other side of the Channel.

The legal limit in France is 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, lower than the UK's limit of 80mg.

Rules in France already mean that British drivers have been penalised in the past for not carrying a warning triangle or a fluorescent safety vest.

Take a look at early tests of computer-generated hazard perception clips. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) wants you to have a look at samples of new hazard perception clips that have been computer generated.
Peter Weddell-Hall, DSA’s head of e-assessment, says:
“The clips are early prototypes. DSA aims to bring these computer-generated clips into the theory test by the end of 2013. It means DSA can introduce hazards that would be hard to film safely – particularly those involving vulnerable road users.”

Last year there was talk about there being a ONCE ONLY CRB / ISA check, with the Police and Courts then updating the appropriate authorities should something crop up with an individual of a notifiable profession. This is an update on the current state of affairs which looks like it will come into force on November 22nd 2012:

24 January 2012

Vetting & Barring Scheme and Criminal Records Regime Review recommendations - Latest Update

Welcome to a new series of e-newsletters to help you keep informed on the progress of the Protection of Freedoms Bill, and in particular news on how the recommendations from the Vetting & Barring Scheme Review and Criminal Records Regime Review are to be implemented.