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Driving Assessment

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A driving assessment is completely different from a driving test. 

The assessment process is designed to review your ability to keep you, your passengers and other road users safe. Whether this is following an accident, illness or change in your medical condition. 

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The assessment may be required to investigate vehicle modification options because of a physical disability such as a limb amputation or because you have become less able to drive using standard methods. You may be seeking confirmation that you are still able to drive safely following a recent diagnosis. Whatever the reason for your assessment, our team understand that you may not have had anyone to check or observe your driving for a number of years and they are here to put you at ease and support you through the process.

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It will start with an initial consultation to determine your requirements. A physical assessment may also be required to identify any limitations which could affect your ability to operate standard controls of a vehicle, and possible adaptations to enable you to drive more safely or comfortably. 

 

You will be required by law to read a number plate at 20.5 metres. Any other visual impairment may require further investigation.

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The drive is designed to gauge your reaction to standard driving conditions. The route is designed to check that you are in full control of the vehicle, you are aware of what is going on around you and you are able to make safe decisions. 

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At the end of the assessment we will discuss and advise what you should do next and wherever possible we will make recommendations to improve either the vehicle control or your technique in order for you to return to or continue to drive safely. 

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You should allow approximately two hours for the assessment, although actual driving time will be around 45 minutes. This is to allow you to move through each stage of the assessment at your own pace. 

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Following the assessment a full comprehensive report will be written which you will receive 10-14 working days after the assessment.

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The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

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The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency of the Department of Transport. The agency is responsible for conducting all theory and practical driving tests in Great Britain, and has responsibility for maintaining the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and the Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT).

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It is illegal for anyone to charge for driving tuition unless their name is on the Register of ADIs and only those ADIs on ORDIT are approved by the DSA to provide driving instructor training to become an ADI. To become an ADI you need to pass the DSA ADI qualifying examination and meet certain minimum legal requirements. Namely, you must:

 

1. Hold a full UK or EEA unrestricted car driving licence;

2. Have held your licence for at least 4 years prior to entering the Register after qualifying;

3. Not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the 4 years prior to being entered in the Register;

4. Be a ‘fit and proper’ person to have your name entered in the Register.

 

 All convictions, motoring or non-motoring still in force will be taken into account by the DSA before allowing you on the Register, and from experience we know that anyone with 6 or more points on their licence within the last 4 years prior to entry on the Register is likely to be rejected. You now also need to apply for a Criminal Record Bureau check as part of this process.

 

You should also ensure you can read a number plate in good daylight at the distance of 27.5 metres or 26.5 metres depending on the width of the lettering (with glasses if normally worn for driving) as this will be checked on Part 2 of the qualifying examination. On the normal driving test you need only read a number plate at 20.5 metres or 20 metres depending on the width of the lettering.

 

Please also note that on the Part 2 driving test you must be able to take rear observations by looking round when reversing without heavy dependency on the mirrors. So if you have minimal neck movement this will need to be checked before you start, since you are not allowed additional mirrors as on the ordinary driving test.