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Data protection and the use of in-car cameras

You can apply existing guidance from the ICO surrounding the use of surveillance cameras to the use of in-car cameras. We’d urge you to read through the ICO’s ‘Data protection code of practice for surveillance cameras and personal information’. A lot of the information covered holds true for in-car cameras, such as rules surrounding data retention and disposal. Your students and/or employees entrust you with their personal information. The law on data protection outlines what you should do when you collect, use, store or do anything else with people’s personal data. Have you registered your business under the Data Protection Act? The Data Protection Act requires every data controller who processes personal information to register with the ICO. If you haven’t already, register or check if you need to here.    

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Sign up to the new trainer booking agreement

In the latest DVSA blog post, Mark Winn informed you about the changes coming to the trainer booking service, from 3 April 2018. To make sure you can continue to book tests using the service, you’ll need to sign up to the new agreement on GOV.UK. You’ll need to do this after 2pm on 3 April 2018. If you haven’t signed up by 11:59pm 7 April 2018, you won’t be able to book anymore tests until you sign up. If you have any questions, then contact customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk.

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Booking your standards check online

From 3 April 2018, you’ll be able to book your standards check on GOV.UK. When your standards check is due, the DVSA will send you a reminder letter. You’ll then need to book your standards check online within 14 working days. You’ll get a link to the online booking system in your letter, so you can book a test at a time and location that suits you. This will make it quicker and easier for you to book your standards check.

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Date announced for Learners on motorways

The UK’s largest representative body for driving instructors, Driving Instructors Association (DIA), has today welcomed the news that Learners will be allowed on motorways from June this year – particularly welcoming the caveat that training can only take place in a dual control car under the strict supervision of an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). A press release issued by the Department for Transport today announced that from 4 June 2018, learner drivers will be allowed to drive on motorways. This is set to be one of the biggest shake ups in driver training in years and comes nearly 60 years after the first stretch of motorway opened in the UK. The changes will allow learner drivers to: get broader driving experience before taking their driving test get training on how to join and leave the motorway, overtake and use lanes correctly practise driving at higher speeds put their theoretical knowledge into…Read More

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Enfield LGV Test Centre: temporary closure

Enfield LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) test centre has been closed while DVSA worked to evict a group of travellers who were living on the site. The group have now been moved, and a large clean up of the site has started. We’ll keep you informed as soon as the test centre reopens. Alternative test locations Yeading Cygnet Way, Willow Tree Lane Yeading UB4 8BS Thurrock c/o Roadtrain Burnley Road (off Oliver Road) West Thurrock Grays Essex RM20 3EY

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EXCLUSIVE: DVSA responds to DIA concerns on safeguarding sanctions announcement

In response to widespread concern within the ADI community in reaction to the announcement last weekend of new sanctions for ADIs found to be engaged in sexually inappropriate relationship, (or found guilty of other serious safeguarding breaches), DIA has urged DVSA to address the lack of balance in their original press announcement and to reassure the industry that henceforth a more concerted effort will be made to further engage with the profession on this topic and support the development of more safeguarding knowledge and guidance for trainers. DIA has today received the following statement in response from DVSA: “DVSA Head of Policy and Chief Driving Examiner Lesley Young said: “Following our recent announcement about driving instructor conduct, we’re aware that some members of the driver training sector have expressed concerns about the approach the ADI Registrar will take in dealing with the small minority of driving instructors whose actions bring…Read More

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DIA challenges DVSA single track tack on safeguarding issues

The Driving Instructors Association has expressed concern at DVSA’s handling of the communication of a new policy focused on safeguarding in the sector – and is furthermore challenging the agency on whether an enforcement only approach, predominantly focused on one single element of safeguarding, is the most effective way of ‘stepping up’ safeguards for pupils across the board. The regulator issued a press release over the weekend, which centred on the agency’s decision to allow the Registrar the right to remove ADIs from the register who were found to be engaged in a sexual relationship with a 16 or 17 year old pupil. Following on from Prime Minister Theresa May’s call in the House of Commons last October to look at ways to protect learner drivers,  DVSA confirmed to the driver training industry that they will treat any sexual relationship with pupils under the age of 18, even if consensual, as…Read More

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DVSA sat nav guidance: 2 months since L test changes

Almost 2 months on since the driving test changes were implemented, DVSA’s Chief Driving Examiner, Lesley Young, has published a blog post sharing some of the feedback received so far from driving examiners, learner drivers and driving instructors. Early feedback indicates that candidates feel better prepared for driving on their own as a result of the test changes. The article includes some guidance for safe and effective sat nav use. We’d like to add to this guidance with a point which has been raised a few times with our ADI Helpdesk – if the examiner places a sat nav in an area that causes restricted vision for the candidate during their test, then the candidate must tell the examiner that it is not best placed. It is important to encourage students to speak up if they can’t see clearly on their test as a result of sat nav placement. For more…Read More

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Job vacancy: DIA Training Assistant

A great opportunity to join the DIA team! DIA is the UK’s largest professional association for driver and rider trainers, and the leading provider of training events and continuing professional development (CPD) programme to the driver education profession. Our ADI helpdesk is always busy with calls from DIA members needing help, guidance and support with all aspects of their professional lives. We have a fantastic opportunity for an ADI to join our small team as a Training Assistant in the Training and Events team. Your knowledge of the industry, along with your experience as an ADI, is essential to assist members with queries on aspects of driver training, running a business and developing their skills and knowledge. You will work closely with the Head of Membership and Training as a friendly and expert voice at the end of the phone to give advice and support on any aspect of driver…Read More