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Better testing for better drivers
From Monday 23 January, the driving theory test will no longer use pre-published questions in a move to stop candidates from learning answers by rote.
Until now all the questions used in the driving theory test have been published. These changes will mean that learner drivers and riders gain a better understanding of driving theory, because they can no longer rely on simply learning which options are correct for individual questions.
Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:
“By bringing a stop to publication of theory test questions we aim to encourage candidates to prepare by learning each topic area thoroughly rather than just memorising the questions and answers.
“The intention is to improve candidates’ knowledge and understanding of driving theory, so that they are more able to retain and apply it when they are on the road.”
The familiar theory test books and software still offer revision questions for candidates to test themselves and assess their progress. They now also have exercises so learners can practice applying their knowledge on each topic to case studies. There are also new sections of revision support for motorcyclists and a free e-book for car drivers.
The agency has also launched its first iPhone apps for theory test revision, which also help candidates to study and monitor their progress at their convenience as they approach their test date. These are available from the iTunes Store.
DSA books, electronic books and software are available to order or download from TSO at tsoshop.co.uk/dsa and all good bookshops.
Despatch ezine – October 2011
In this issue:
- independent driving one year on
- professional drivers urged to exchange paper licences
- new theory test books published
- how to use online ADI services
- DSA explores new hazard perception clips
- a round up of this month’s news
Download the October issue of Despatch (PDF, 1.5Mb)
Instructor gains Special Test Qualification
LCD Driving Academy is proud to announce another success! We are pleased to let you know Lawerence Deehan has just recently passed the Category B DIAmond Special Test, which demostrates an excellent standard of driving!
Well done Lawrence!
The latest official help for learner drivers
and riders
New editions of the best-selling official DSA theory test books are published, giving learner drivers and motorcyclists the best possible support as they prepare for their tests.
From January 2012, the theory test will change for all candidates, when DSA stop publishing the live bank of multiple choice test questions.
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. Our aim is to help road users to be safer and more efficient.”
The official publications support this approach by including the full DSA explanations for every revision question, helping candidates fully understand the answer. Each question has extra help for candidates to improve their knowledge of the theory by including references to the official source materials where they can read the background information and learn more (this feature is available for drivers of large vehicles for the first time in this new edition). The official DSA theory test titles are the only range on the market to also include official practice case studies for every topic, enabling complete test preparation.
TSO (The Stationery Office) – DSA’s official publishing partner – has moved the answers for each question to the back of the book for these new editions, enabling learners to test themselves more efficiently to see how much they have learnt and to help them gauge when they are ready to take their tests.
Learner car drivers are set to benefit even more from this update, as the new edition of The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers includes a free downloadable Theory Test Extra eBook, worth £6.99. This additional content explains the theory behind each topic in an easy-to-remember way and also includes some mock tests. Accessible via a web link or through scannable QR codes for smartphone users, this eBook will really help learners get to grips with the topics covered in their theory test.
New editions publishing 19 September 2011
- The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers and The Official Highway Code; ISBN 9780115531828; £14.99
- The Official DSA Theory Test for Motorcyclists; ISBN 9780115531866; £12.99
- The Official DSA Theory Test for Drivers of Large Vehicles; ISBN 9780115531897; £15.99
The Official DSA Complete Learner Driver Book Pack; ISBN 9780115531835; £29.99 (includes the new edition of The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers book, The Official DSA Guide to Driving – the essential skills and The Official DSA Guide to Learning to Drive, offering a saving of £7.98 on buying the titles separately).
All new editions will also be available as downloadable PDFs directly from tsoshop.co.uk/dsa shortly after the book launch. Other official theory test products, including downloads, CD-ROMs and eBooks are being revised ready for the changes to the test in January 2012 to ensure they remain the best preparation available for learners.
To find out more and to view the full range of official DSA products, visit tsoshop.co.uk/dsa, call 0870 850 6553 or head to all good high street and online book stores, plus selected computer software retailers for our interactive software products.
New theory test books published
New official driving and riding theory books will be published this month 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.
Useful links
tsoshop.co.uk/dsa
The youngest Female at 18 in the UK to pass her Category C ( Lorry ) test first time!
The youngest Female at 18 in the UK to pass her Category C ( Lorry ) test first time,Congratulations and best wishs to Shona Mc Laughlin from Killywool,Greysteel
Win a £50 Amazon voucher with our 'Show me, tell me' comp!
At the start of your driving test there will be some safety check questions. Known as ‘show me, tell me’, you have to physically do the checks, or talk about how you’d do them. Like checking your tyre pressure, or checking your oil level.
Doing these checks is so important – they won’t just save your pocket, they could save your life. So we’ve made some little vids to show you the kinds of things to check.
Do you think you could do better? We’ve got three £50 Amazon vouchers to give away to the three most informative and entertaining vids if you do! These have been donated by our lovely publishers, TSO.
Are you up for the challenge?
Visit our Facebook page for more details.
Further info:
'Show me, Tell me' competition launched on Facebook
This afternoon DSA launched its first ever competition on Facebook.
A video of a DSA examiner and three students from Bilborough College, Nottingham, discussing the 'show me,tell me' questions is now on the DSA Facebook page ('I can't wait to pass my driving test!'). DSA is inviting people to make their own videos of vehicle safety checks and upload them to YouTube.
The videos will be judged on their information and entertainment value. DSA's official publishers, TSO, have kindly donated three £50 Amazon vouchers for the three best entries.
The competition seeks to raise awareness of vehicle safety checks, and show how important they are - not just for the driving test, but for life.
Further information:
Biggest change to the Driving Test in last fifty years
Environment Minister Alex Attwood today launched the most significant addition to the driving test since its introduction fifty years ago.
~ Wednesday, 15 June 2011
The change, known as independent driving, will mean that candidates will be required to spend ten minutes driving without step by step instructions from the examiner.
They will be given the destination they need to go to and then they will have to negotiate how to get there themselves.
The aim of independent driving is to assess the candidate's ability to drive safely whilst making decisions independently and ultimately produce safer drivers.
Independent driving will be introduced into the driving tests from Monday 27 June 2011.
Alex Attwood said: “The change I am launching today, while a significant addition to the familiar driving test, should hold no fear for candidates. In fact the new test reflects what they want. It is designed to ensure that novice drivers, once they acquire a licence, have the skills, knowledge and confidence to be able to drive on their own.
“Once they pass the test novice drivers will have to make their own decisions regarding when to drive, where to drive to, how to get there, and who to drive with whilst driving safely – these are all issues that will be addressed in the new independent driving section of the test.
“Independent driving assessment will encourage a sense of responsibility, awareness and individual decision-making amongst learner drivers, in order to prepare them when driving on their own.”
Research has shown that many people who have passed their test still lack confidence to drive independently because they are used to step by step instructions.
The Chairman of the Driving Instructors stakeholder group, JJ Doherty said: “This is a very positive development and gives the candidate the opportunity to experience what it is like to drive unaccompanied by presenting a realistic future driving requirement as an integral part of their test."
