A driving test scam in Suffolk involved gang of people impwersonating others to take driving test on their behalf and obtain a driving licence, a court has heard.

According to Bury Free Press, five people who appeard before Ipswich Crown Court pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by making false representation on or before 20th October 2009.

The gang of five were arrested after a joint investigation by Suffolk Police and Driving Standards Agency. All five defendants are from the Middlesex area.

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The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) have tried to overcome the vast amount of problems they experienced when they introduced the 0300-prefixed telephone number and eradicated the 0870 numbers however, call volumes are nearly back to expected levels.

The telephone system has not just been improved to help deal with pupil enquires but new measures have been put into place to help with instructor enquiries.

A new fast track telephone system has been put in place to serve the needs of ADI’s. When an instructor calls the DSA for whatever reason they won’t have to listen to all the options but simply press 25, which will prioritise their call over others and be directed to staff that have the ability to deal with the call.

Even better they have introduced a call back system whereby if there is a queue of calls longer than 60 seconds the caller can leave their name and telephone number and somebody will call them back. It is important to understand that despite ADI calls being prioritised, the system keeps the call in the same place in the queue.

Simon Bush of Britannia Driving School said: “This is brilliant news for all instructors as it will save a huge amount of time skipping through the options and holding for somebody who would inevitable transfer your call to a different department, where you would have to repeat your story once.”

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Radical plans to make it compulsory for instructors to sit in the back of the car when their pupils go up on test have done an emergency stop. The original plan was to alter the driving test regulations to see instructors in the back of cars from October 2010. The original plans were implemented as the former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said ‘We propose that the person presenting the candidate should have to sit in the car with their student when the candidate takes the practical test, and to stay as the examiner gives their pupil feedback.’

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) has now stated that candidates will be encouraged to take an observer along, but this does not have to be the instructor. The observer is there merely to help the pupil understand the feedback in an unbiased way. However, after reviewing this, it has been decided that this will not be mandatory but just advised.

Simon Bush of Britannia Driving School said: “By making the instructors sit in the back on the car will inevitably raise the standards of those going up on test. It also allows for the instructor to act as a witness and allows for them to tailor further learning accordingly.”

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It has emerged that learner drivers will not be allowed to take their test in a Toyota iQ, as the DSA claims the car is not suitable.

The ban was declared after a risk assessment was carried out and it was found that the iQ’s thick B- and C- Pillars and rear windows prevents the examiner from having a clear view at angled junctions, which compromises the strict testing methods. It was complaints from the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) examiners which prompted the investigation.

Steve Garrod, head of training at the Driving Instructor Association (DIA), spoke to Toyota about the problem and their advice was for instructors that own this car to take it to their Toyota dealer and look to part exchange it.

Simon Bush of Britannia Driving School said: “The Toyota iQ joins an honorable list of cars deemed unfit. Any instructor looking to buy a car should check that it is suitable as a lot of the smaller cars such as the Ford Street Ka and Mini Convertibles present problems. Their size may be good for learners when they are practising manoeuvres but they are no good when they are being turned away at the test centre.”

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From today (28th September 2009) there is a change to the theory test. The Hazard Perception Test will remain the same. The new test will include 45 multiple choice questions and an additional set of five questions concerned with depicted “case study.”

The candidate will be presented with a set of facts – the case study – which will appear on the left hand side of the screen. The set of facts will be set in text format, and may be accompanied by supporting picture or diagram.

Throughout the case study the fact and the scenario content does not change. This way the scenario may be re-read as often as the candidate chooses.

The questions will appear on the right hand side of the screen, and the candidate will be asked to make a response in the usual manner. 

Simon Bush of Britannia Driving School said: “All the information concerning the new format of the test may be found in the DSA publication The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers and The Official Highway Code, available from Britannia Driving Schools Merchandise Store.”

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The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has delivered a stark warning to any Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) who engages in fraudulent practices by misusing their status of responsibility.

ADI Peter Cyril Groombridge, 72, of South West London was today sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to 10 months imprisonment for encouraging four illegal instructors to provide driving tuition to candidates through his company ‘Professional Driving School.’

It is illegal to receive money or money’s worth in exchange for driving tuition unless you are a qualified, registered ADI.

Early suspicions were raised when a DSA test centre staff member expressed concerns that illegal instructors were presenting candidates for test.

Bogus instructors, Edward Asare Afriyie, 58, of Peckham, George Ferreira Cabral, 35, of South West London, Ali Mazhar Mirza, 74, of South East London and Astley Hasten Davis, 73 of South East London received a combined fine of £2,580 for their illegal activity.

The DSA’s driving instructor Registrar, Charles Morton said: “The DSA message is clear: if you are not an ADI qualified to teach learner drivers, but continue teaching for money or moneys worth, you can expect to face ever increasing penalties.

“Illegal instructors are a danger to the public. They have not been assessed by us to ensure they are able to provide driving instruction to required standards.

“It is very simple to check that a driving instructor is qualified. Ensure they display an in-date pink or green badge in their windscreen during lessons and that the photo on the badge matches the person providing the instruction. The pink badge indicates that they have trainee status and are entitled to give paid instruction whilst acquiring practical experience. The green badge indicates their name is in The Register of Approved Driving Instructors, they are fully qualified to give paid instruction and are subject to regular checks by DSA to ensure their continued competence and suitability to give instruction”.

The head of the DSA Fraud and Integrity Team, Andy Rice added: “We investigate all reported cases of suspected illegal instruction and work closely with the police and criminal justice agencies to identify offenders and prosecute”.

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After all owners parked bumper to bumper in order to break the world record for the most Minis to be parked together, enthusiasts then drove from London to Brighton.

The popular annual drive which is now in its 46th year of operation, is home to owners of the classic and modern Minis come together to show off their vehicles.

A spokesperson for the event said: “London to Brighton Mini Run is the biggest and best Mini event in the show calendar. “Taking place each May it attracts enthusiasts from all over the world, and it is a fantastic opportunity for owners to show off their pride and joy, and the public to take in the spectacle of around 2,500 Minis as they make the 55 mile pilgrimage.”

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Britannia Driving School has been notified by The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) that they have launched an online consultation exercise: An Abridged Theory Test for Learner Car Drivers.

The Consultation Paper invites comments on the DSA proposal to set a reduced fee of £24 for new abridged theory test for learner drivers.

Subject to consultation, the fee would apply to the new abridged theory test being introduced from October 2009.

The abridged theory test for learner car drivers is only being made available to theory test candidates who have previously been awarded the new pre-driver qualification in safe road use.

Britannia has been told that the deadline for response is Monday 20th July 2009.

Simon Bush of Britannia Driving School said: “The DSA have posted copies of the Consultation and initial Impact Assessments on their website: dsa.gov.uk. The related Reply Form can be accessed at. Dsa.gov.uk/abridged theory test consultation. We would advise all driving instructors to take part in the said Consultation as it affects our industry and pupils.”

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Britannia Driving School is alarmed at the at the above, inflation increase to driving test fees which came into effect on the 1st April 2009.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has a perverse business philosophy – when applications for driving tests are forecasted to decline they increase the price. Any sane business (apart from banks) would try to improve customer numbers by reducing the price. Other Business have competition – unfortunately, the DSA does not.
  
Shadow roads minister Robert Goodwill said it “beggared belief” that minsters could even think about putting up costs when so many families were struggling during the recession.

As from 30th march 2009, the cost of the car driving theory test has gone up from £30 to £31 while the car practical driving test has increased from £56.50 to £62.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has increased the cost of replacing a lost licence, updating a photograph every 10 years as required, and having endorsements removed from £17.50 to £20.

Simon Bush of Britannia Driving School said: “The increases in driving test fees have come at a bad time for learner drivers; the DSA is kicking consumers while they are down.”

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The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has made some important changes to where instructors can find its services on the internet.

As from 1st April 2009 many of the online services offered to instructors and instructor trainers are accessible through the Business Link website at businesslink.gov.uk/transport rather than through the normal DSA website.

For a short period customers still using the old Transport Office website will be redirected automatically.

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