Practice DVLA Driving Theory Test Questions Online

Drivers are to be released from reams of red tape currently required by government, Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced today.

As a result of the Road Transport Red Tape Challenge – the government wide process to get rid of unnecessary, burdensome and overcomplicated regulation - the Department for Transport is:

• Scrapping the regulation requiring motorists to hold a paper counterpart to their driving licence by 2015 – saving drivers up to £8m.
• Improving the regulation surrounding the notification process for vehicles that are not in use on the road (Statutory Off Road Notification or SORN). Once drivers have notified the DVLA that their vehicle is SORN, they will no longer have the burden of annual SORN renewal.
• Only issuing hard-copies of V5C vehicle registration certificates for fleet operators when needed, with the potential to be rolled out to private motorists.
• Introducing a limited exemption from drivers’ hours rules so that those who also drive as Territorial Army reservists in their own time can continue to do so.

Following a vigorous process of challenge, both by the public and within Whitehall, a total of 142 road transport regulations will now be scrapped or improved.

Justine Greening said;

“Motorists shouldn’t have to keep numerous bits of paper just to prove they can drive and have bought insurance – we live in digital age and we need to embrace that.

“Reducing the number of rules and regulations in our life is absolutely vital to removing barriers to economic growth and increasing individual freedoms. This whole process just proves that there’s so much sitting on our statute books that at the very least needs a good spring clean or can be scrapped entirely.”

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:

“I'm delighted that so many motoring regulations will be scrapped or improved, particularly those that affect business.

“The Red Tape Challenge has built up real momentum since it was launched in April. Overall, of over 1,200 regulations considered so far, we have agreed to scrap or improve well over 50 per cent.

“We have already published regulations covering 12 themes, and there are 13 themes to come, so there remains huge scope for reducing the burden of regulation on business and individuals even further.”

Other proposed changes to road transport regulations include:

• Removing the need for an insurance certificate. The Department for Transport will work with the insurance industry on removing the need for motorists to have to hold an insurance certificate.
• Abolishing the requirement for drivers to prove they have insurance when applying for tax meaning 600,000 more people will be able to tax their car online. This has been made possible by new checks of existing databases for insurance under new Continuous Insurance Enforcement rules. The DVLA’s records are compared regularly with the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to identify registered keepers of vehicles that appear to have no insurance.
• We will look at experience in other countries on driver Certificates of Professional Competence (CPC) - the qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. In particular, to see if we could remove the need for some sectors, such as farmers who drive stock to market, from needing a CPC.
• Local Authorities will now have to ensure business interests are properly considered as part of any future proposed Workplace Parking Levy scheme. They must show they have properly and effectively consulted local businesses, have addressed any proper concerns raised and secured support from the local business community.

Abolishing the regulations on the treatment of lost property on buses. Bus companies currently have to wait 48 hours before they can throw away perishable items left on the bus.

Driving test candidates could benefit from a more local service as the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) carries out a trial exploring a new approach to test delivery.

As well as using conventional driving test centres, DSA is looking at whether tests could also be delivered from other venues such as local authority buildings, hotels or leisure centres.

The trials will provide practical car tests in selected areas that no longer have a local test centre, but still have a significant demand for tests. The aim is to provide a service for the local community and ensure that candidates are able to take their test at convenient locations.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

“I want us to be more flexible and innovative in delivering driving tests to make sure that we are offering people the best service possible wherever they live.

“Our aim is to provide a more local service that is both convenient for candidates and cost effective.”

 
The trials are due to take place in seven locations across Britain: Ashford, Ayrshire, Dumbarton, Louth, Warrington, Wiltshire and one location in Wales that is still to be decided. The trials will be monitored to assess any impact on levels of customer service and the cost of delivery, as well as making sure the integrity of the test is maintained.

DSA will then decide whether the trials can be rolled out to other areas without a test centre where there is a significant demand, and where suitable routes and venues can be identified.

The trials will only involve practical car tests; theory test centres will not be affected.

Motorcycle changes introduced today

As reported in advisor - the e-newsletter for the biking industry - last week, two changes affecting motorcycle trainers, learner riders and examiners have been made today.

Minor changes to the module one motorcycle test have been made Click here for more info

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has set up a new MOT text reminder service for customers. By registering, you'll get text messages telling you when your MOT is due.

How the MOT text reminder service works
To benefit from the MOT text reminder service you will need to register your details with VOSA. Once registered, three text reminders will be sent to your mobile phone to remind you of your MOT date.

They will be sent:

• five weeks before
• two weeks before
• the day before

The text message reminders will include the vehicle registration number and MOT due date.

To use this service there is a one-off charge of £1.50 (including VAT). This charge will be collected through your mobile phone network provider once your registration has been accepted.

If you do subscribe for the MOT text reminder service, you will still be responsible for ensuring your vehicle has its MOT test by the due date. This is regardless of whether you receive the MOT reminder texts.

Find out more about how the service works and how you can register on Directgov

Steve Swinton has 18 years' experience teaching deaf people to drive. As well as being a Grade 6 ADI, Steve is a registered instructor trainer and has also qualified as a further education teacher. Now, he's developing a training course to help other ADIs teach learner drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

How did you first become involved with teaching deaf people to drive?

I was approached by the secretary of our local deaf society back in 1992. One of their members had been to see two driving instructors but they had both declared him un-teachable. I took it on myself to give it a go and I found that with a simple sign I could say more than I could in a whole sentence. So I took an introductory course in British Sign Language (BSL) at our local adult education college, and since then I've completed level 1 and 2.

Have your lessons evolved as you've gained more experience?

It's something that I've had to learn through experience because there aren't currently any courses available for driving instructors who want to learn how to teach deaf people. That's why I've decided to develop my own course - it's still a project in the making but I think having more driving instructors who know BSL would make a real difference.

Is it harder teaching deaf students than it is hearing students?

Not necessarily. Deaf people rely more on their other senses. For example recently I was teaching a deaf pupil how to do the biting point - she felt when the clutch was at the biting point by the change in vibration on the steering wheel. And she found it just as well, if not better, than some of my hearing pupils.

What advice would you give to other ADIs who may be considering teaching deaf people?

Don't be afraid to give it a go. Teaching deaf people gives me a lot of satisfaction, and it makes me feel so much better about getting up in the morning and going out to work.

Find out more

To find out more about Steve's work, visit his website aditraining123.co.uk