Car Test Examiners

iwb100

What did she fail on? I think that's a pertinent question.

Some stuff is subjective and down to the examiner's opinion. And whatever the instructor may or may not think is irrelevant.

For example checking mirrors - I was always told to do so very very obviously. Some examiners will not be happy with a quick flick of the eyes they want a visible heard turn and look in mirrors to be sure that it is being done.

Things like appropriate speed/distance are not subjective. But many situations are - especially minor faults that mount up.

Johno100

AdrianC wrote: »

No. If their percentages are found to be accurate, because for some reason their candidates tend to be better or worse than the national average, then they will be accepted.

The candidates are tested as individuals on their own aptitude. Nothing else.

If one test centre is passing/failing a lot more candidates than say a neighbouring centre then questions are bound to be asked of the examiners working there and their managers, that is the way things happen in large organisations like the DSA.

SallyDucati

OP do you drive? Have you been in the car with your partner driving? Did you think she was fine?

It's difficult to determine which view is incorrect between 2 professionals, all I will say is when I failed first time my instructor was shocked. (Examiner said I hit a curb reversing round the corner, I didn't think I did). I would try a different test centre next time, then at least it will be a different examiner.

Car_54

iwb100 wrote: »

For example checking mirrors - I was always told to do so very very obviously. Some examiners will not be happy with a quick flick of the eyes they want a visible heard turn and look in mirrors to be sure that it is being done.

This is an old wives' tale. Turning your head proves only that your neck works.

The examiner is looking for effective obervation, not just looking at mirrors. He knows what is behind, what you should be aware of, and most importantly how you should be reacting.

facade

Johno100 wrote: »

If one test centre is passing/failing a lot more candidates than say a neighbouring centre then questions are bound to be asked of the examiners working there and their managers, that is the way things happen in large organisations like the DSA.

Yes, that is what we are saying. What will happen is they will be inspected sooner rather than later, and if the inspectors agree with the examiners assessments at observation, and the test routes used then it will be accepted as some peculiarity of the local people- the water, the weather or an exceptionally good driving school .


As soon as the figures are published though, all the borderline drivers will flock there because "They pass more people", and they will get more failures so moving back to the norm.


It happens to me at work. Everybody is monitored for X and Y (easy as it is all on com-pooh-tah) Management look at X:Y ratio and number of X. My Plan is to run with the herd, outliers get a hard time. (Dead easy as the @@@@@@@s publish league tables of X and we know the ideal X:Y ratio as they keep telling us what it is.)



Point is, if we all actually did our job right :rotfl: we would all be in the herd in the first place without having to keep an eye on our numbers.

gpc273

Whenever a driving test thread begins the old chestnut of quota's is trotted out..

There is a quota; 100% of all unsafe/incompetent candidates must fail.

All those who prattle on about examiners watching their own pass/fail rates to make sure they are in step with the rest of the DTC are also mistaken, they don't . The examiner just marks to the national standard the candidate, their is no gain, in fact the post test functions take longer with a fail than a pass and hence that eats into the downtime before the next test .

facade

gpc273 wrote: »

There is a quota; 100% of all unsafe/incompetent candidates must fail
.

That is an ideal objective.


They do have targets.



Everybody has targets, "performance indicators" and monitoring now-
Footballers have targets on the % of time they spend in the ideal positions, how many times they pass to someone in a better position etc.
Hospitals have targets on the % of patients who die.


If they are a long way from the target, then they get extra attention ("extra help to meet targets";) .)


You should keep an eye on your numbers, as if you are falling well short it is an indicator that you are doing something wrong- in this case being slightly too strict or too lenient on borderline candidates