News
May 2008 - New "tell me, show me" questions on test:
Starting in July 2008, there will be changes to the questions candidates are asked at the start of their driving test. You shouldn't have to worry about a parking light bulb not working, but your brake lights may be checked. Here is the full list of combinations of questions:
- 1: Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
- 1: Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
- 2: Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
- 2: Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine)
- 3: Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
- 3: Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
- 4: Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear, make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle
- 4: Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
- 5: Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
- 5: Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
- 6: Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
- 6: Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash
- 7: Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
- 7: Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
- 8: Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).
- 8: Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
- 9: Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
- 9: Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers
- 10: Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle)
- 10: Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens
- 11: Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle)
- 11: Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash
- 12: Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine)
- 12: Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle)
- 13: Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car
- 13: Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system
Please note: these are the questions for category "B" car tests.
April 2008 - £40.50 theory test!
Rick Nicholson, a DIDU member, has a warning about booking the theory test:
A few weeks ago one of my pupils typed "theory test" into a well known search engine in order to book her theory test. She clicked on the first website to come up on the list which was not the DSA's website, as you would expect.
Instead she found herself booking her test through a company called theorytest.net for which she was charged £40.50. They are charging a "handling fee" and according to the DSA they are doing nothing wrong, therefore nothing can be done to prevent this company from over-charging your pupils.
Theorytest.net do state that they charge a £12.00 handling fee but you need to read half way through the terms and conditions before you come across it, so i should imagine that most people using this service don't realise they are paying more than they need to for their theory test.
March 2008 - Rob to the rescue
9.07am in Bolton, and a very nervous young lady turns up for her test, on time and making sure that everything is in order just the way the DSA have stipulated on the back of their appointment letter. Out of the office comes a DSA examiner but not to take her on test but to inform her that her examiner is ill so she won't be going on test that morning.
We have all experienced situations like this and it's bad enough, but when your pupils theory is running out 5 days later so this is probably her last chance to take her test before it does then the disappointment is doubled.
Her instructor rings the DSA and explains the situation to the booking section, and how it was not her fault the test was cancelled so she should be found an early test slot to be able to sit her test, only to be told "sorry nothing we can do she will have to resit her theory again."
How dare they fob a young girl off with an attitude like that. If you went in to a shop and the shop assistant treated you with that kind of attitude you would take your business elsewhere but the DSA knows we can not do that. I think they forget at the end of the day we pay their wages. Her instructor (a member of DIDU) was able to ring Rob Harper (chairman of DIDU) who set the ball in motion and within 1 HOUR she had a new test date 2 DAYS later.
18 March 2008 - Test fees up - again
From 01 April 2008 (how appropriate) test fees will rise. Some of the increases:
- Week-day car tests rise from £48.50 to £56.50 - an increase of over 16% !
- Weekend and evening car tests rise from £58.00 to £67.00 - another whopping 15% (just over)
- Athough the theory test only increases £1.50 to £30.00, it's worth remembering that the theory test only cost £21.50 prior to 03 September 2007; a rise of almost 40% in 19 months.
20 February 2008 - Warrington ADIs Protest!
ADIs from Warrington demonstrated outside the DSA conference at Chorley today, 20th February 2008 embarrassing DSA officials who had to pass the group into the hotel. The group persuaded Rosemary Thew (DSA chief executive) to attend a meeting with them at Warrington in the near future, to discuss the proposed closure.
Ms Thew told the group that she had not had any correspondence from anyone about Warrington. Strange that. Both Warrington MPs, Warrington Council and Warrington Association have all written, and DIDU brought the subject up at our recent meeting with her.
DIDU persuaded Ms Thew to put back the closure of Warrington Test Centre to September 2008
We have to stop the DSA from closing test centres. Closures cost pupils and ADIs more money and mileage. This is the case at Warrington, and will be the case at other test centres around the country.
Pictured: Karen Farrimond and Anne Green demonstrate to Ms. Thew at the DSA conference.
February 2008 - Martyn sorts out Norma's Corsa
Martyn Bullen, editor of DIDUs magazine "The Way Forward", was contacted by member Norma Bretheron. Norma was having problems getting her car repaired after she had some work done. The fault was down to the dealers bad workmanship. She contacted Martyn, who spoke to the dealers and it was sorted in the next couple of days.
Here is a letter Martyn received from Norma:
Dear Martyn,
Thanks again for your assistance.
At the beginning of January my Vauxhall Corsa D had a recall.
I took it to PLP Motors, Warrington, where the work was carried out, however, on the next lesson my pupil was catching her feet on metal springs that were hanging down over the clutch and footbrake.
I took it straight back to PLP, and again, and again, but each time the problem was not rectified.
I was then informed that PLP would send out a dual control specialist, but after waiting, and another three phone calls, this was not done.
I then decided to contact Vauxhaul Customer Care. But should have known better (do customer care ever do anything?). After phoning them aniother three times I gave up.
I then contacted you (my DIDU area rep) on friday 14th Feb, the same day I had a phone call from the new Service Manager at PLP Motors saying you had spoken to him.
Monday 18th Feb 11:30 am - the job is now done.
Thank you Martyn.
Norma.
February 2008 - Lembit Öpik MP speaks out about accountancy led customer service:
"If the Government took the same approach towards politics as it takes towards almost every other part of the public services, it would centralise. Local authorities would be shut down and replaced with administrative regional headquarters. Local benefits agency offices would be merged into great big super-size units in the largest towns and cities. Schools would be shut down and replaced with central educational establishments where the kids would be bussed to across 35 miles. And, of course, there would be an end to individual subsidy intensive small farms, which would be replaced by large agricultural entities bringing all the local farmers together to save money. The Soviet Union had a word for all this: "collectivisation." "
"Yes, folks, that's where it's at in the 21st Century. Not for politics itself of course. That continues to spread out with ever more politicians to govern the country. No, no. It's for everyone ELSE that the essential tenets of collectivisation are stored."
"That's why they're centralising the Test Centres. Because an accountant somewhere has reckoned that this is cheaper to operate. So that's what they're doing. Never mind the inconvenience to the customer. Never mind the tuition which is required in the town the test will take place, and the 66 mile return trip which will be necessary in the case of my locality. It's all worth it to save a bit on the cost of the centres."
"I've had enough of this. I'm tired of seeing ludicrous closures in our public services – one of which IS the driving licence industry – for the sake of pennies."
"So you need to write, en masse, to the local MP in your area – and get as many other people to do the same. 30 letters will make a big difference. 300 will probably save the local test centre. And you need to get it in the press. The public don't know this is going on. It's your job to help change that."
"I’ve lost patience with the incompetent, mean, narrow-sighted fashion of putting the interests of the citizen behind the interests of profits. What’s happening to the test centres is the same as is happening in many other sectors too. It’s time we stood up to be counted. Otherwise, in their obsession to count the pennies, the governors will lose continue to discount the interests of those they’re elected to serve."
09 August 2006 - DIDU wins Appeal
Executive Committee member Cameron Smith represented DIDU member Alan Flello at his Transport Tribunal appeal against being removed from the ADI Register.
Despite prior discussions with DSA the registrar confirmed his intention to remove Mr Flello from the ADI Register and after advice from DIDU Mr Flello appealed. Cameron travelled to London and represented Mr Flello and DIDU is happy to report that the Transport Tribunal agreed with DIDU that he should not be removed for what was considered a minor offence which was unlikely to be repeated.
After receiving poor legal advice, he had pleaded guilty in court to an offence and received a community service order. DIDU considered that removal from the register was totally inappropriate in this case and agreed to represent behalf of Mr. Flello.
Congratulations to both Cam and Alan Flello on this victory for common sense. What other organisation would have taken up the case and succeeded?