Examining the Examiner - Accompanying Learner Drivers on Test

The practise of accompanying learners on driving test in Nottingham is not popular among pupils. This is evident when the waiting rooms at test centres are full of instructors who's pupils are out on the road taking the driving test. It can be a nervous time for pupils and having three people in the car instead of two only seems to make the situation worse. The car is heavier than usual as learners usually have themselves and the instructor present during lessons. This can have consequences particularly when moving off on hills. Extra gas and tighter clutch control will be required and unless this has been practised with three people in the car it can really have an adverse effect on the overall driving performance.

The instructor must sit on the back seat directly behind the pupil and cannot interfere in any way. Little is learned from the instructor's perspective as the standard of drive has already been assessed during lessons. All the instructor does is watch their pupil make mistakes they wouldn't normally make during lessons owing to the stress of the situation. It is an uncomfortable experience not being to help the pupil even just to calm them. During the manoeuvre exercise the instructor can be in the way and obstruct vision to the rear, having to duck down across the back seats and be seen by the pupil. Hardly an ideal situation.

Much can be learned about test routes when accompanying a learner. This is an advantage for driving instructors as test routes in Nottingham are no longer published online. Many difficult areas can then be incorporated into driving lesson routes better preparing the pupils for test. Knowing which destination signs to watch out for during the independent drive section is particularly useful as well as knowing how to deliver independent driving directions in advance in the same way an examiner would.

It could be said that the examiner and instructor roles are completely separate and should be kept as such. It helps avoid bias on tests and helps ensure a uniform standard of marking is maintained. A driving test examiner may feel scrutinised by an instructor who is present on test and this could have an effect on decisions regarding driving faults. On the few tests I have accompanied I have witnessed examiners being incredibly lenient and this may not be the case if they were left to do their job unattended. Disagreements can occur between examiner and pupil as to the final result and a pupil will naturally look for their instructor to back them up as they have been paying for driving lessons in Bulwell Nottingham and expect instructor loyalty. Diplomacy is required as agreeing with an examiner can be detrimental to the instructor pupil relationship and be bad for repeat business and referrals. The last thing an instructor wants is to get into disagreements with examiners and compromise their professionalism. Pupils often feel they have let their instructor down by failing the test which can be awkward.

There are some of the pros and cons of accompanying learner drivers on test for driving instructors in Bulwell Nottingham. The final decision on whether to have an instructor ride out must always rest with the pupil and an instructor should always make themselves present for the debrief whatever they decide.