Standards Check Training

Fear not the Standards Check, for it is YOUR opportunity to shine

So the day has come when you’ve found your ‘invitation’ to a Standards Check on the door mat or in your inbox.  Hopefully this won’t fill you with dread. Hopefully you have anticipated this day and you are already teaching effectively and in a client-centred manner.

However, whether you are applying client-centred learning or not; whether you are quite confident, have a good idea about it or only know some basics, getting confirmation and reassurance that what you are doing on a ‘normal lesson’ is satisfying all of the criteria of the Standards Check Marking Guide (SC1) will certainly help your performance on the Standards Check and beyond.  Whilst positive feedback from your learners is extremely useful to boost your confidence, only a high score on your Standards Check makes it official that you are a first class instructor.  The time to polish your skills is NOW.  Don’t leave it until you receive your ‘invitation’ or your big moment of meeting your senior examiner is only days away.

About the Standards Check

The DVSA still state that all ADI’s must take at least one Standards Check in each 4-year period of registration. However, COVID has created a backlog in Part 2,3 tests and Standards Checks. The DVSA are now need prioritising those who require a Standards Check most. They are monitoring the pupils presented for test by each instructor and the results are monitored over a 12 month rolling period across 4 measures:

  • average number of driving faults per test
  • average number of serious faults per test
  • percentage of tests where the driving examiner had to take physical action in the interests of public safety
  • overall pass rate

Further details of the trigger points can be found here 

Conduct of the Standards Check

There is no longer an opportunity of role play.  The accompanying examiner will assess that instruction is delivered satisfactorily and effectively in accordance with the National Standard for Driver and Rider Training (NSDRT).  A link to the NSDRT can be found here.  The Standards Check lasts for a 45 minute period.  The examiner will assess in accordance with the relevant chapter of ADI1, Guidance for driving examiners carrying out Instructor Tests.  A link to ADI1 can be found here.

The COVID restrictions means that the Standards Check will now last for 45 minutes.  The examiner will join you part way through the lesson. He will expect to hear a brief 2-3 minute summary of the goals set and responsibility agreed before getting the wheels turning.  For ventilation purposes, it is stated that the wheels must be turning for 40 minutes however, if there is a need to stop for analysis then you should do so.  At the end of the lesson, the examiner is expecting a 2-3 minutes debrief to close the lesson down.

About the Competences

17 competences are assessed within 3 higher areas of competence:

  • Lesson Planning
  • Risk Management
  • Teaching and Learning Strategies

With 3 points available for each of the 17 competences, the total possible score is 51.  The test will result in the following grades:

  • Grade A – You demonstrate a high overall standard of instruction – Score of 43-51
  • Grade B – You demonstrate a sufficient level of competence – Score of 31-42
  • Fail – An unsatisfactory performance – Score 30 or below

Client-Centred Learning

The fascination of driving instruction is that all pupils are different and learn in different ways.  Sooner or later every instructor comes across a learner where a  ‘one size fits all’ approach simply doesn’t work. In some cases the impact of rigid teaching might be less obvious, but can subtly frustrate your pupil and yourself.  If a pupil takes time to reflect on their learning, then moving them on too soon may be harmful to their progress.  In contrast, a pupil who likes to ‘give it a go’ would become bored if made to watch endless demonstrations.  If you teach or coach a pupil in a manner that best suits their learning style then they will make better progress.  They are also more likely to retain knowledge, understanding and skills.

Your job will become more rewarding.  Your learners will make better progress and you can charge a better fee for high quality tuition.  The result of your Standards Check is your proof.

About our Trainers

Meet Pete Wilkinson, Director of Training with YES! Driving School, who has an in-depth knowledge of the NSDRT and ADI1, as well as other relevant documents.  He has mentored or given guidance to many instructors in preparation for their Standards Check and all have resulted in a Grade A (as of 1st of May 2022).  Indeed one instructor was taken from a position of failing his first Standards Check to retesting 10 weeks later with a result of 50/51.  This fantastic achievement is a result of effective guidance and sheer hard work from the instructor; a determination to be the best he could be.  This instructor shows that being popular with your learners and believing that you are doing well on your usual lessons alone might not lead to an excellent Standards Check result.

Prepare for success

Preparation is the absolute key.  That’s why even leading instructors take time away from their normal routine to prepare for their Standards Check with a top level tutor.  With Pete you will receive the information and guidance needed to achieve that coveted Grade A.

Training is 2 way, with Pete sitting in and observing you in a normal lesson and also you sitting in with our senior trainer, Pete.

By way of further proof, our Director of Training Pete Wilkinson recently took his Standards Check and achieved the highest possible score of 51/51.

So don’t wait for the invitation to land.  Contact us now for peace of mind and confirmation of your instructional ability.

 

Standards Check top marks

Book Now for Standards Check Training

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Contact Number (required)

    Subject

    Your Message

    By submitting this form you agree to us processing your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy which can be found under Info.