DSA Reports   DSA Chief Executive Gary Austin gives us his regular update on all the latest from the Agency, including the current pay dispute, the new Theory Test Contractor, CPD and revised Pass Plus   Work to Rule As I am sure you are aware, the work to rule by Public and Commercial Services union members is continuing, and some driving tests are being cancelled because of the action. We are continuing to ask candidates to turn up for their tests, and if they are cancelled, they will be re-booked and compensation forms sent out to those affected. The dispute is difficult to resolve because the union’s claim is part of a bigger campaign for equal pay across the Civil Service rather than against DSA Management per se. But talks are continuing to try and resolve the situation.   New Theory Test contractor On to better news, Pearson Vue, the new contractor for the Theory Test, has already reached its first milestone in a series of dates prepared for the run up to its delivery of our theory tests in September. It has produced a model pilot theory test centre in High Holborn, London, with a change of layout for candidates and invigilators. The due date was 1 March, and the company has passed this milestone with flying colours.   CPD Meanwhile, over the next few weeks, instructors in some parts of the country will be contacted by researchers to gather their views on their continuing training and professional development.   The research is the result of the appointment of 5S Consulting Ltd by the DSA to develop a national Continuous Professional Development programme for driving instructors in the UK. Over the next six months the company will be working closely with all the interested associations and agencies in the driving instruction business to help devise a range of options. The company plans to use three areas in England as pilot areas to carry out further research and test the ideas that come out of the consultation. The areas chosen are the rural counties of Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, the metropolitan area of Birmingham and a South East cluster that will include parts of South London, Surrey, and West and East Sussex.   We hope that when the researchers contact instructors in these areas, they will play a full part in assisting in this important initiative. The whole project will be headed by Deputy Chief Driving Examiner Trevor Wedge and a website has been set up for those people who want to follow the progress of the initiative (www.5sconsulting.com/driving. If any instructors wish to contact the researchers directly, they can telephone 5S director Rodney Amstar on 01737 761500 or email: amster@5sconsulting.com)   Pass Plus We recently reviewed the Pass Plus scheme that is being re-designed in spring. We have amended the syllabus, making it much more competency-based. The revised scheme includes updated, competency-based modules with clearly defined minimum standards to be achieved. There is also a new Progress Record (similar to the Driver’s Record) for pupils to keep a track of how they are progressing. A new up-beat promotional DVD is also available, explaining all about Pass Plus. The DVD (also available on video) is aimed at pupils, instructors and parents in order to reinforce the partnership between them. We want parents to feel more involved — after all, they are likely to have concerns about their offspring taking to the road without supervision for the first time. Once they realise the benefits of the Pass Plus syllabus, parents are often responsible for booking their youngsters on the scheme. The revised scheme will also include:   • an attractive new Pass Plus Certificate (A4) • each competence will have clearly defined minimum standards that must be completed to either an achieved or exceeded standard of driving • new Pass Plus Instructor guide with more detailed information underpinning each of the competencies required • posters in a range of sizes to help promote the scheme more widely • new instructors’ leaflet (helping to promote Pass Plus) • new pupils’ leaflet (providing information about Pass Plus) • revised information will be available on the website www.passplus.org.uk