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BECOMING A DRIVING TEST EXAMINER

Looking for a career change? From time to time the DSA needs to recruit new driving test examiners. Contrary to popular belief most examiners have not previously been driving instructors. It may seem commonsense that to have been an Instructor would be a great advantage, but to the DSA this does not appear to be the case. One of the problems is that Driving Examiner pay is not very high, and a successful instructor would usually be expecting to earn a higher salary. Starting salary for an Examiner is around £21,000pa. Accordingly, the only reasons for an instructor to become an examiner, may be for an easier life, regular hours and a pension at the end!

How do you become an Examiner?

As long as you are 63 years old or under, have held an EU or UK licence continuously for the last 5 years and currently have no more than 3 penalty points on your licence, then you are eligible to apply.

You need to be a very good driver
To perform the duties of a driving examiner, you need a good combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes. But more importantly, you have to be a safe driver. To become a driving test examiner, you will have to pass an extended version of the driving test, known as a Special Driving test.

You need people skills
If you become a driving examiner you will encounter many different people taking their test. Some confident, some nervous. You will therefore need to be able to put people at their ease whilst staying professional and fair. Most test candidates are young, many just eligible for a licence.

Occasionally, test candidates will get upset or angry when they don't pass, so you will need to be able to deal with difficult situations.

You have to be able to make good judgements
There is a set standard which candidates must achieve and there are no set targets on how many people pass or fail. You have to assess how safe a driver that person is. There are a series of manoeuvres to follow and sometimes it becomes clear that someone is unable to control a car. You will be expected to assess the situation under the circumstances at the time.

The DVSA provides systematic training that covers a number of different stages and processes. Teamwork is an essential part of the driving examiner's role. During training other team members give support when required.

You need to be a good team player
You need to have a flexible approach and be able to work alone and with others. Although you are on your own when testing, you will operate from a test centre where there are other examiners. The larger centres have a Senior Driving Examiner or even a Supervising Examiner (Sector Manager) in charge. At some of the smaller centres, there may be an examiner responsible for the day-to-day running with a Senior Driving Examiner or Supervising Examiner (Sector Manager) visiting on a regular basis. Wherever you work, you will spend much of the day alongside colleagues and it is essential that there is a good working atmosphere.