Module 7.

The 17 Competencies

In this session we are going to look at the 17 competencies.  But what are they?

During your part 3 test, and later during your standards checks.  The 17 competencies are how you will be assessed as a driving instructor to ensure that you meet the standards as set out by the DVSA to offer your services as a professional driving instructor to others.

Below is a list of the competencies you will be assessed upon.  I can not stress enough that this is not simply a box ticking exercise, it is not enough for a driving instructor to simply satisfy a competency and simply move on to the next.  The competencies intertwin throughout a lesson and have a great effect on one another.

During your lesson you will be assessed at your level of competence throughout and marked accordingly, the marking system is from 0 to 3 for each competency.

Like this:

Competence: 

No evidence - 0

Demonstrated in a few elements - 1 

Demonstrated in most elements - 2 

Demonstrated in all elements - 3

All instructors, ADI and PDI, have to score over 30 points to obtain a pass.

31 - 42 points results in a Grade B pass.

43 - 51 points results in a Grade A Pass

Both PDI and ADI instructors have a maximum of 3 attempts to pass, failing this the instructor is taken from the DVSA register for Approved Driving Instructors.

The part 3 and standards check assessments split the 17 competencies into three categories:

• Lesson Planning
• Risk Management
• Teaching and Learning Strategies

It is important to note that an instructor could still fail despite gaining over 30 points if a score of 7 or less is obtained in the risk assessment section.

The 17 categories are as follows:

Lesson Planning

1.iDid the trainer identify the pupil's learning goals and needs?

2. Was the agreed lesson structure appropriate for the pupil's experience and ability?

3. Were the practice areas suitable?

4. Was the lesson plan adapted, when appropriate, to help the pupil work toward their learning goals?

Risk Assessment

5. Did the trainer ensure that the pupil fully understood how the responsibility for risk would be shared?

6. Were directions and instructions given to the pupil clear and given in good time?7.

7. Was the trainer aware of the surroundings and the pupil's actions?

8. Was any verbal or physical intervention by the trainer timely and appropriate?

9. Was sufficient feedback given to help the pupil understand and potential safety critical incidents?

Teaching and Learning Strategies

10. Was the teaching style suited to the pupil's learning style and current ability?

11. Was the pupil encouraged to analyse problems and take responsibility for their learning?

12. Were opportunities and examples used to clarify learning outcomes?

13. Was the technical information given comprehensive, appropriate and accurate?

14. Was the pupil given appropriate and timely feedback during the session?

15. Were the pupil's queries followed up and answered?

16. Did the trainer maintain an appropriate non-discriminatory manner throughout the session?

17. At the end of the session - was the pupil encouraged to reflect on their own performance?

Undoubtedly at this stage that looks like a lot and you may be thinking how can I possibly remember all of that during a lesson!!

The thing is you don't have to remember them, you simply need to do them.  The best way to pass the assessment and present yourself in the manner that the DVSA is expecting is to ensure you follow your training and adopt the teaching and training fundamentals as part of your normal working practice.  It is nearly impossible to try and 'act' your way through the assessment, many try and just as many fail.  The thing is the assessment is designed to take a snap shot of your normal working practices, if you over plan for your assessment or try to create "the ultimate lesson", or go as far as to train a learner driver, friend or family member to re-enact a pre planned and rehearsed lesson something will go wrong.  There can be many influencing factors in a driving instructor's assessment lesson from your student reacting differently or unexpectedly due to stress, the routes pre planned may change due to roadworks or congestion, other road users may have an impact.  The one constant in all of this should be how you, the driving instructor, conduct yourself, support your student driver and manage the lesson.

Through time I hope that you will look at the 17 competencies in very much the same way as I do.  Not a strict and complicated "test" but a fantastic insight in to what you need to do to create an excellent lesson and learning opportunity for your pupils.

During the workshop to support this session you will be discussing how each competency effects the others and how missing one can have a negatively cascading effect on the result.  Equally how following simple, client centred and supportive instruction techniques, as taught during this course, will naturally have a positive impact on the competencies and therefore be reflected in a favourable result.

A link to a sample of the part 3 final assessment sheet can be found below.