If you thought failing your driving test the first time around was bad luck, spare a  thought for a poor man in the UK that has failed his theory test a whopping 92 times – he hasn’t even had the chance to sit his practical examination yet.

 Are you prepared for the changes to the theory test?

As from today the driving theory test questions will no longer be available and Driving Instructors in Bedford are advising candidates to study and prepare well before sitting the theory test.

Published: Monday, 28 September 2009

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has introduced case studies into the driving theory test. One case study will now be included in the exam for car drivers, moped and motorcycle riders.

Case studies in driving theory test

Book your theory and practical test online

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

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

An example of a case study and the questions based on it can be viewed online at DSA’s YouTube channel.

• Visit the DSA’s YouTube channel to watch the video, ‘Are you ready?’

If you need help or advice from your local Bedford driving school visit www.baddia.co.uk and one of our instructors will be please to speak to you.

Driving Instructors in Bedford urge learners not to skimp on taking professional, good quality driving lessons. 

Figures show that nearly 300 people took their driving test for the tenth time in 2011 and only 88 of them passed.

Driving instructors in Bedford welcome the new theory test changes.

The days of cramming for the driving theory test may be over after it was announced that the exam’s questions and answers will no longer be planted in revision books, in a bid to stop learner drivers “simply memorising” the correct responses.

The changes come in reaction to Driving Standards Agency (DSA) fears that drivers were “learning by rote” and mean that the old system, under which many of the questions featuring on the test were reproduced word-for-word along with the answers in revision materials, will be swept away early next year.

“It is about getting people to actually understand the knowledge behind the driving theory, as opposed to just learning an answer and regurgitating it when the candidate recognises the corresponding question,” said a DSA spokeswoman.

She added: “We want to avoid the situation where people are able to sit down and recognise a question then write down the answer.”

The spokeswoman said that the changes, which will come into effect on 23 January 2012, were in response to a consultation with driving instructors who said that the current testing system encourages learner drivers to just use their memories, rather than actually reflect on the reasons behind pieces of driving theory.

The consultation, carried out in 2008 but only acted upon now, also revealed instructors’ fears that learner drivers viewed the theory test as “just something to get through before the real driving started”.

What is your view of these planned changes?  Please feel free to comment.   Bedford driving instructors are interested in your opinion.

New theory test books published

Bedford driving instructors urge pupils to use official DSA study aids

New official driving and riding theory books were published on Monday 19th September to help candidates revise in preparation for changes to the test in January 2012.

Since theory tests began in 1996, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published the questions and answers from the question banks for all categories of tests for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses.

However, DSA announced last November that it was to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers, with unpublished questions being used from January 2012.

DSA’s Chief Executive Rosemary Thew said: “The reason behind the move is to stop candidates from simply memorising theory test questions and answers and learning by rote. The new books contain questions and answers for revision and also explain the theory behind each question.

“This approach to learning will help candidates to gain a better knowledge and understanding of driving theory which will help them respond correctly to the new, re-worded live questions used in the actual test.”

Other theory test products including CD Roms, downloadable PDFs and ebooks have been revised too and will be published shortly after the theory test books are published on 19 September.

The agency has also launched its first ever mobile phone apps for theory test revision, which have been developed to help candidates learn in this way.

To view the full range of official DSA products visit  tsoshop.co.uk/dsa.

Bedford driving instructors  encourage pupils to view these videos 

Four new videos are now available on YouTube.
Show me, tell me
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published a new video playlist about the ‘show me, tell me’ part of the practical driving test.

• Watch the playlist on DSA’s YouTube channel

How to book your theory test
Directgov has published a new video showing how to book your theory test online.

• Watch the video on Directgov’s YouTube channel

Driving Schools in Bedford warn Bedford learner drivers that they may be affected by the strike on Thursday 30th June.  Please read on…..

Driving examiner strike – candidates to attend tests The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is urging all driving test candidates booked to take a test on Thursday 30 June to attend as usual regardless of the threat of strike action by examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union. DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said: “Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we cannot be sure that they will not turn up for work. We therefore want candidates to attend so that practical tests can be delivered if possible. Theory tests are not affected and will be taking place as planned. “Candidates who turn up but are unable to take their tests because of industrial action will not have to contact DSA to re-book. They should hear from us with a new date within five to ten working days. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers.” If no examiner is available for a test, a new date will be rebooked automatically by DSA and the candidate will be sent details of the new test. If candidates fail to attend they will not be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses if their tests are cancelled and they will need to rebook their own tests. DSA’s customer service centre for practical tests might also be affected by the strike action. Customers who wish to book a practical test will still be able to use DSA’s internet booking service at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest. Details about claiming out-of-pocket expenses can be found at direct.gov.uk/drivingtestexpenses.

BADDIA  & DSA announce DSA opening hours – April and Maybank holidays

 Find out when the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) customer service centre and driving test centres are open over the coming bank holidays.

 Online services available as normal
DSA’s online services will be available throughout the public holidays at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest. You can book, check, change or cancel your:

•  theory test, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• practical test, between 6.00 am and midnight, seven days a week

• Friday 22 April is a public holiday so DSA’s customer service centre will be closed
• a limited number of tests will be conducted from some test centres
• online services will be available
• automated telephone lines for general information such as fees, and interactive voice recognition to change an existing practical test will be available from 6.00 am to midnight

Monday 25 April 2011 

• Monday 25 April is a public holiday in England and Wales
• a limited number of tests will be conducted from some test centres in England – test centres in Scotland will be open as normal
• DSA’s customer service centre will be closed
• online services will be available
• automated telephone lines for general information such as fees, and interactive voice recognition to change an existing practical test will be available from 6.00 am to midnight

Friday 29 April 2011 

• Friday 29 April is a public holiday so DSA’s customer service centre will be closed
• a limited number of tests will be conducted from some test centres
• online services will be available
• automated telephone lines for general information such as fees, and interactive voice recognition to change an existing practical test will be available from 6.00 am to midnight

Monday 2 May 2011 

• Monday 2 May is a public holiday so DSA’s customer service centre will be closed
• a limited number of tests will be conducted from some test centres
• online services will be available
• automated telephone lines for general information such as fees, and interactive voice recognition to change an existing practical test will be available from 6.00 am to midnight

Monday 30 May 2011 

• Monday 30 May is a public holiday so DSA’s customer service centre will be closed
• a limited number of tests will be conducted from some test centres
• online services will be available
• automated telephone lines for general information such as fees, and interactive voice recognition to change an existing practical test will be available from 6.00 am to midnight

Changing or cancelling a driving test without losing your fee
The quickest and easiest way to change or cancel a theory or practical driving test is online at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.

To change your booking without losing your fee you’ll need to give at least three clear working days’ notice. Working days include Saturdays, but not Sundays or public holidays.

For example, if you change or cancel a test booked for Monday 25 April, you need to do it on Tuesday 19 April to avoid losing your fee.

DSA 4 April 2011

If you have recently taken your practical driving test in Bedford, you may like to take part in a survey by DSA (Driving Standards Agency). 

BADDIA Bedford Driving Instructors are encouraging you to take part in this survey, whether your experience has been good or bad, the DSA would like to know.  These details all assist the DSA to improve their services to future driving test candidates, and you can help.

Assessing candidate satisfaction

The DSA are conducting this customer satisfaction survey to gather feedback from practical test candidates.

If you have already taken a practical test and would like to take part in this survey, you can follow this link:

dft.gov.uk/dsa/consultation/candidate_survey

The closing date for this survey is 11 February.

 “ Paul Burchell of Drive Smart based in Biggleswade and Bedford was horrified recently when he discovered that a client ofhis had paid £51 for her Theory test”.  Paul is calling for action from the DSA to stamp out these third party booking agencies.

The “Official” price for the theory test is £31 and £62 for the normal weekday practical test. This is the price charged by the Driving Standards Agency ( DSA), who administers the test. However, there are a lot of “Booking agency’s” springing up who will charge a booking fee on top of the real cost. In most cases this amounts to an additional £20 each for the theory and practical tests.

“This seems to be a growing industry. A casual search on the internet using the sort of phrases a person might use if considering booking a test, will be directed to a number of companies, who all look very professional, and will lead you through the entire booking procedure, without even mentioning the price until you actually Submit  the booking confirmation. By this time, the learner just accepts this as being the correct price and just pays up”

This sort of practice has been going on for quite a while, and is perfectly legitimate but be aware that by booking through an agency, you are paying well over the odds and getting nothing more than you would have got had you booked direct with the DSA.

“What has really upset me this week is that there is now a Bedfordshire based driving “School”! who are trying to cash in on the current bad weather situation. If, as is pretty well inevitable in snow, ice and fog, a driving test is cancelled, then the candidate will be given an alternative date by the DSA as soon as possible. However, demand is so high that this could be 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Naturally, the candidate would be upset about this.

 A “Driving School”, who also operate a booking service, have just contacted me saying that they can re-book a test on behalf of the candidate much sooner.  They claim, even next day on some occasions or typically within 21 days. So, my question is, “How can they do that”? Well, the answer is that they “Buy” a block of test spots from the DSA, (quite legally) and then re-sell them, at a profit, to somebody who is desperate enough to pay well over the odds for the test”.

“I suppose” Paul continues, “It’s similar to Ticket Touting outside a Take That concert!!

The fact is that if an instructor or the pupil is willing to spend a few minutes on the phone or the internet, an earlier date can usually be found at no extra cost”!!

So, be warned. The Theory test should cost you £31 and the standard Practical test £62. If you are paying more than that. Well,!!!!!!