Academy Home

Main Menu

Welcome to BSM Instructor Academy

Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010.

 

Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010.
It’s tasking the candidate to drive for about 10 minutes, either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both.
To help the candidate be clear about where they’re going, the examiner can show them a diagram too.
It doesn’t matter if candidates don’t remember every direction, or if they go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.
Newspaper reports
The claim in some newspapers that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate is based on early research where conditions did not reflect the eventual design of the new element of the test.
Subsequent trials with a larger number of participants and more closely reflecting the conditions in the planned new test showed no significant fall in the pass rate.
Video shows independent driving
DSA has published a short video on its YouTube channel explaining more about independent driving.
The idea of  Independent Driving has been around for almost three years.  In 2008 BSM instructors were involved in trialling it for DSA in the Bedford area.
Independent driving is fairly common in other European countries. Although, not in regulation, DSA are keen to introduce it into the British driving test.
What does this mean to our Instructors?
Independent Driving is a technique a good instructor will employ during normal driving lessons in a bid to make the pupil less reliant on guidance in following a route.
And it could well mean that BSM instructors should be able to sell a few more lessons by emphasising this aspect as part of the training syllabus in the Track Record.
CPD Courses
In support of the changes mentioned here, and with a view to offering support on a number of professional elements, we are making available a whole selection of Instructor CPD course. Take a look at them on the next page. >>>
Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010.
It’s tasking the candidate to drive for about 10 minutes, either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both.
To help the candidate be clear about where they’re going, the examiner can show them a diagram too.
It doesn’t matter if candidates don’t remember every direction, or if they go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.
Newspaper reports
The claim in some newspapers that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate is based on early research where conditions did not reflect the eventual design of the new element of the test.
Subsequent trials with a larger number of participants and more closely reflecting the conditions in the planned new test showed no significant fall in the pass rate.
Video shows independent driving
DSA has published a short video on its YouTube channel explaining more about independent driving.
The idea of  Independent Driving has been around for almost three years.  In 2008 BSM instructors were involved in trialling it for DSA in the Bedford area.
Independent driving is fairly common in other European countries. Although, not in regulation, DSA are keen to introduce it into the British driving test.
What does this mean to our Instructors?
Independent Driving is a technique a good instructor will employ during normal driving lessons in a bid to make the pupil less reliant on guidance in following a route.
And it could well mean that BSM instructors should be able to sell a few more lessons by emphasising this aspect as part of the training syllabus in the Track Record.
CPD Courses
In support of the changes mentioned here, and with a view to offering support on a number of professional elements, we are making available a whole selection of Instructor CPD course. Take a look at them on the next page. >>>

 

 

CPD Courses available to BSM franchised Instructors

With immediate effect the following CPD course will be available to BSM franchised Instructors

 

  • Check Test Training
  • Mock Test Training
  • Technical Training
  • Business Development

The above courses can be booked using the following process

Check Test Training; this course is a two hours session and designed to give Instructors the required knowledge to ensure they are ready for the DSA check test. Instructors need to be advised to download the ADI1 from the DSA web site to improve their understanding of what the DSA examiners are looking for during a check test. The session needs to be booked through their centre and the centre staff will need to speak to their Franchised Field Trainer to arrange the session.  During the first hour the Franchise Field Trainer will observe the Instructor conducting a live lesson the second hour will be 1-1 development training. If any further training is required this will have to be booked through the Instructors centre.

 

Mock Test Training; this course consists of a 6 hour classroom followed by a two hour assessment session, and is designed to give Instructors the knowledge and understanding of how to conduct a mock test following DSA test criteria.  Interested Instructors need to contact the centre staff and if there is a need for mock test Instructors the Instructors details need to be sent to Instructor administration at Bristol who will book them onto the next available course and send out confirmation.

 

Technical Training; this course is a 6 hour classroom session and designed to help Instructors to further develop all the technical aspects of driving Instruction. The areas that will be covered are Lesson Structure, Core Competencies, Instructional Techniques, Instructor Characteristics, Track Record and Test Readiness. Interested Instructors need to contact there centre staff who will send their details to Instructor administration at Bristol who will book them onto the next available course and send out confirmation.

 

Business Development; this course is a 6 hour classroom session and designed to help Instructors to build their business levels. The areas to be covered are the business corner stones (Forward Bookings, Pre-Paid lessons, Test Applications and Pass Rates) also to look at customer care skills and feedback.  Interested Instructors need to contact there centre staff who will send their details to Instructor administration at Bristol who will book them onto the next available course and send out confirmation.

 

CHECK TESTS IN ENGLISH AND WELSH


As you know, during a period of registration an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) will be required to take a test of continued ability and fitness to give instruction – commonly known as a check test, when called for by the Registrar of ADIs. At the check test the ADI’s instructional ability is assessed and graded according to the standards laid down by the Driving Standards Agency.

 

In the past some check tests have gone ahead in languages other than English or Welsh. The Chief Driving Examiner has decided that from 1 October 2010 all check tests must be conducted in English and Welsh. 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. Clearly if a lesson is conducted in a language other than English or Welsh, there is a risk that the examiner will be unable to understand the instruction given. This is not a change to any Regulation but is a change in practice.  We are therefore giving you advance notice of this change. We will also publicise it in a future article of Despatch.

   

Driving examiner strike on Wednesday 24 March

The PCS union is asking its members to take strike action on Wednesday 24 March.


If you have a driving test booked for that day, we ask you to attend as scheduled. 

We won’t know the effects of the strikes until the day as not all of our examiners and staff are members of the union. We don’t know at this stage who will attend for work, which is why we ask that you arrive for your test regardless. 

You don’t need to do anything and there is no need to contact DSA. 

If you can’t take a test because of the action, you will have the test rebooked automatically, free of charge, and an appointment confirmation will be sent by email or post. 

If your new appointment isn’t suitable you can change it online at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.

 

The Generation Game...

Hello all

As our centenary preparations start to hot up, we are looking at more and more ideas to help us make a big deal of our achievements over the last 100 years. One of those ideas involves finding a family of FOUR GENERATIONS, all of whom have passed their respective driving tests with BSM.

If anyone has a family in mind, or any ideas as to how we can find a family who fits the bill, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the details so that we can follow up.


Thanks

   

Page 1 of 2

<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>

welcome to bsm insturctor academyThis website provides a huge learning resource for people who are training with us to become Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs). We also provide online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for ADIs wishing to further develop their knowledge and skills. The Academy also provides professional discussion forums for BSM Franchised Instructors.

No one has more experience training driving instructors or learners than BSM.

Learner drivers come to us for driving lessons with the expectation of being taught well and being able to pass their tests first time. Our business is committed to ensuring that these expectations are met.

Depending on location, we are able to offer Franchise opportunities to new and existing instructors. Instructors wishing to join us have a choice of franchise packages. Each offers a particular level of business and professional support. We have many resources at our disposal to help you plan your business so that you maximise your earnings. One of the main features of a BSM franchise is that we provide one of the latest training cars that is exchanged regularly. We are also very happy to take care of all your admin, this means that you can concentrate on what you need to do best, teaching new learners the skills for a safe motoring career and ensuring first time driving test success...

Read more about becoming a member >

 

If you are having any issues regarding logging in then please fill in the help form here and one of our support staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

 
Learning Zone