EVENTS UPDATE

DSA will not be staging business customer workshops for ADIs or trainers this year. The Agency is exploring new ways of engaging and communicating with all trainers, and will continue to attend a number of industry and consumer events.

DSA’s director of communications Jane Phillips, said: “We value our relationships with trainers and recognise the importance of maintaining positive and proactive two-way communications. Face-to-face communication will always be our preferred approach, but formal conferences and workshops reach a relatively small number of trainers who are able to attend during the working day. Public spending constraints also make it much harder to deliver such events effectively.

“We believe that there are ways in which digital communication, particularly using the internet, could become a regular tool for our communication with you. We will keep you informed as we progress this.”

Check tests in English and Welsh

From 1 September check tests will only be conducted in English or Welsh, in line with the qualifying tests of driving and instructional ability.

A check test relies on an examiner understanding the verbal instruction being given by the ADI to the pupil, in order for them to form their assessment of the lesson and to grade the ADI’s instructional ability. If a lesson is conducted in a language other than English or Welsh, the examiner can’t understand the instruction given and is not able to make an accurate assessment.

ADIs requiring a check test in Welsh should notify our booking team when they receive their check test invitation.

Book direct Book direct.gov

ADIs and motorcycle trainers: Don’t let your pupils pay any extra for their theory and practical test bookings - make sure they always use the official direct.gov website.

Booking with direct.gov guarantees a service that

16 Despatch Magazine www.dsa.gov.uk

Visit direct.gov/ drivingtest for further information

your pupils can trust, and it will always be cheaper than a third party booking service. DSA recommends all car and motorcycle test bookings are made via the official Directgov website.

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