The Following SEQUENCE of E.Mails Tells the Story of Our Progress with The
The Following SEQUENCE of E.Mails tells the story of our progress with the
MARUTI SUZUKI India Limited
ADIs or DT companies who feel they can offer their services in anyway, need to join IDER through its website and become part of the IDER Response team to how we proceed to offer technical and other advice.
Currently we are exploring ways to get the best of the current DI Trainers in INDIA to gain a Recognised Degree in Driver Ed. Through Middlesex’s INSTITUTE OF WORK BASED LEARNING.
Any members who feel able to offer constructive advice or experience are invited to complete their Membership Application and let us know what you have to offer.
YOU DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE A GRADUATE A.D.I. TO JOIN I.D.E.R; SIMPLY WISHING TO TAKE A DEGREE COURSE IS ENOUGH; AND THIS CAN THEN BECOME PART OF YOUR OWN DEGREE TRAINING PROGRAMME
BEGINS
Dear Prof. Russell,
I came across an article written by you "A Brief History of Driver Education in the UK" and was fascinated by it.
I am an Asst. General Manager, Driving Training with Maruti Suzuki India Limited, India's largest car manufacturer.
At Maruti, safety has always been an area of high focus not just in the cars we make but also in all other aspects of work. To promote a culture of safe & defensive driving, Maruti had launched the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) way back in yr 2000 and Maruti Driving School (MDS). The IDTR are set up in collaboration with the State Governments and the MDS is run by the MSIL dealer network. We have a network of 6 IDTR and 213 MDS currently.
Both IDTR & MDS are amongst the first and perhaps the only driving training institutes in India to introduce advanced driving training simulator for trainees for a virtual driving experience. Our objective is not just make a better driver but to also instil a safe driving culture at large. We train more than 10,000 people each month. The training courses are designed both for beginners and advanced drivers. Through this initiative we have taken firm steps in making Indian roads safer & driving pleasurable.
I would be grateful if you can share your experience and guide us in this field.
FROM Me
First of all I have held some discussions with various senior members of the Institute for Graduate Driver Trainers (www,ider.org.uk) and also with the INSTITUTE OF WORK-BASED LEARNING, at Middlesex University in London. Middlesex is one of largest Universities in the United Kingdom (see them at ac.uk – and also check out their W-B Learning site). Middlesex has a much greater through-put of students from Britain’s former Commonwealth partners than any other UK Establishment.
The Principal of the Middlesex University’s WBL Partnership, Professor Jonathan Garnett, MA, DProf; is a student-colleague of mine and we graduated with our doctorates, together, ten years ago. He has asked to become involved with us. At this stage I am not sure how best to assist you; but it occurs to me that one useful starting point could be a post-graduate course in “Driver Education” in London, which could combine the whole ‘Theoretical’ background to D.E.; PLUS some practical training and assessments on here on UK Roads
I am sure you have a number of potential students for such a course; possibly a minimum of twelve, or even up to fifty? Naturally, as yet, we have no idea of the total numbers involved; but if we think in terms of a few “Overall Indian National Training Consultants”; then in sequence below them, we need Tutors, Tutor-Trainers; Instructor Trainers, Car and Truck Instructors and Advanced drivers.
There is certainly considerable scope for extensive face-to-face discussions whilst you and I hammer out some possible solutions to your needs, sometime before-hand if we can manage it; one of our starting points should be how recent changes to UK driver training has Diverted into Coaching and Mentoring; and this might be a place to start.
To Me
Thanks a lot for the reply & my sincere apologies for the delayed response from my end. I was travelling and had little access to mails. It humbles me that you took time off from your schedule to respond to my mail. Thank you! Whenever I am in that part of the world, I would surely seek an appointment to meet you.
India has the 2nd largest road network & accounts for just 1% of the world’s vehicles population but 6% of the world’s accidents & 10 % of the world’s accident fatalities per year.
New letter To Me
Sir, to address the issue of road safety & proper training, we at the Maruti Driving Schools (MDS) have driving courses for Novice (learner) courses of 21 to 30 day duration, Advanced courses for people who already know how to drive but need to brush up their skill (10 days), Refresher courses which are basically class room trainings on road safety, road rage etc. We also have an Evaluation module wherein we test people on their driving ability and then recommend custom made trainings. We are also in the process of adding a psychological analysis in this.
The problem we face is lack of quality driving instructors. More often than not, there is little distinction between a “driver/chauffeur” and a “driving instructor”. This is perhaps due to that fact that we do not have Driving Training / Instructor Training as a vocational course in any university. At IDTR (run by us along with state governments) we do have a 10 day “Train the Trainer” module. The course material for which has been developed in-house. The MDS instructors are trained at IDTR.
I would be grateful if you could share course material specific to training would-be-driving-instructors and guidance on any further courses we should be offering at MDS.
It would be helpful if you could share any specific studies you might have done regarding the Indian driving scenario.
From me
I have also copied this response and your email to me, to Dr Sarah Fox who is my Vice President of the ‘Institute of Driver Education & Research’; and David Foster (my Right hand man! here in the South of England). I am sure they will be very interested in helping you in any way we can.
The article you mention was actually part of my own Doctoral Thesis some 12 years ago. I know that I am the highest qualified and most experienced, professional Driver Trainer in the UK; and possibly in the English speaking world. I will gladly offer you any support or advice you may need.However I am now in my 82nd year and not as mobile as I was in my youth. I still drive of course, and have driven most types of vehicle in the past sixty years or so, including railway trains, boats and an assortment of aeroplanes and hovercraft; and have been involved in training, trainers of drivers for all the above at all levels of excellence. I have driven and passed basic and advanced driving tests in many countries all around the world; however, for my local driving these days I am often limited to my Disability Scooter. Nevertheless I am still working with various countries in the European Union, specifically looking at ways to reduce the Death-crash rates for new drivers from the ages of (17-22) with regard to their driving Attitudes and Behaviour, when behind the wheel.
I have written 44 driving and teacher-training manuals; and I am currently involved with Middlesex University in the training and assessments of Driver Trainers and Instructors on University Degree courses (from Foundation Degree to Doctorate levels). If there is anything specific you wish to ask I will certainly do what is necessary to respond positively.
Based on this we shall propose diploma courses for Driving Instructor Trainings and some modifications in the existing laws. I’m sure it is going to be a herculean task though!
Internally, at Maruti, we plan to develop a hub & spoke model of driving schools. Currently all MDS (Maruti Driving School) are owned by our New Car Sales Dealers and driving training does not feature high in their list of priority. We feel to drive safety deeper into the population, we need to have scientific & structured driving training schools across the country.
We propose to set up 5000 such hub & spoke model of driving schools. Our existing dealers’ set up would feature as the Hub & individual entrepreneur would be the spokes.
The theory & simulator sessions would be conducted at the Hubs whereas practical training will be conducted by the Spokes.
I have attached a small presentation of our proposed driving school expansion plan. Does a similar patter exist elsewhere too? What are your thoughts on our proposed plan?
Sir, if my organization permits a visit to the UK, would you be able to kindly have someone take us through the driving training schools & meetings with instructors please!
To me plusMy responses in ITALICS
“We seek your guidance on the profile and attributes of the Driving Instructor. …“
What are the qualifications required?The initial requirement is for the Instructor to be able to understand and apply the standards required to pass the Basic Tests for your country’s practical test of Driving for private cars and for smaller Trucks and vans.in the U.K. this is a three part Test: The FIRST need is to Pass A simple eyesight Test and read a seven figure /Letter Number plate at a distance of about 67 feet (21 yards) this is the same distance as a Cricket Pitch length. Next all candidates take a Two-Part THEORY Test. They need to answer a number of Multi-choice and Multi-Response Questions; and then take a Video Hazard Perception test. Each of 14 filmed clips has one hazard per clip, whereas one more has two hazards. There is a time factor built-in, not allowing any length of time for study of the clips. Only when this test has been passed can candidates apply for the practical test.
The Practical Test takes about fifty minutes driving the car and is designed for candidates to demonstrate their practical skills and understanding of the UK Highway Code and the Theory of driving safely. Throughout the test the examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. Errors made are divided into three categories; (D for Dangerous – causing an immediate failure; X for a Serious Fault – again, one serious fault is required to cause Failure. Minor Driving Errors (Marked with a /) up to a maximum of 15, are also considered serious enough to cause a failure. A fourth category of marking is regarded as NOT serious enough to be marked on the Examiners’ score sheet; and are not counted.
The Practical driving test itself has this inherent fault built in to it. It is a Deductive Test; the longer the time taken for the Test, the greater exposure the candidate is at risk of a marking fault, and of course heavy traffic is another variable.Currently about 41 per cent FAIL the Practical test!
Throughout my 50 years of teaching pupils to pass a standard test; I have looked at other ways to mark and assess drivers based on a different format.The one I have found most suitable is based on FIVE separate driving skills; each with four separate sub sections. Instead of each mark, even minor ones, scored not necessarily adding up towards fifteen; but enable the Examiner to give a driving assessment – based on a score from zero (Bad) through five (adequate) to ten – (highly acceptable). An average of 75 marks across the whole table is rated at a good, safe driver. The maximum would be One hundred; however this can be converted into a Bi-Polar system of marking.
If necessary I could give you further details if you wish. This is the method we use to mark and assess advanced (or Eco-Driving assessments).
Questions
How can a layman be “trained” to become an instructor himself?
In the UK we have a population of about 65 Million; about 35 million hold current driving licences. Before you can become an A.D. I. (Approved Driving Instructor you must hold a FULL licence for more than FOUR years.
There are two ways to become an ADI;
First is by taking Training from an ADI Trainer; this can cost about £4,000 -6.000 Plus Examination fees.
Second is by trying it alone Blind: this can be free; 3 except for Government Test Fees
In both casesyou apply to take the THREE Examinations; a theory test, similar but harder than that needed for a Learner car driver; (About twenty Percent PASS); then a car driving test; but the pass mark requires a score of fewer than SIX minor faults, with no SERIOUS or DANGEROUS faults. Fewer than Fifty percent pass this test.
THEN they can apply for a Trainee licence to get some experience. Currently, Trainees can teach for money, BUT changes are being made; so that they will not be able to charge money next year (2013). FINALLY they have to take a Teaching in the Car test. The current pass rate for this is less than 25 percent. Of each hundred potential instructors who begin the exam courses, fewer than 15 percent pass, and of these fifteen or so only 50 percent (between 7 or 8 from 100) pass their first “real life” teaching assessment with a real pupil and an Examiner sitting in the car.
As per the law, the driving school applicant or any member of the staff employed by the school for imparting instructions possesses the following qualifications, namely:—
- a minimum educational qualification of a pass in the 10th standard,
We have no current basic schools status examination to pass; but probably they can read/write reasonably well in English; however we do have some problems with recent immigrants, especially from Eastern Europe..
- a minimum driving experience of five years in addition to a certificate in a course in motor mechanics or any other higher qualification in mechanical engineering from an institution established by the Central or a State Government or from an institution recognised by the Board of Technical Education of a State Government,
In the UK we do in insist on a minimum of four years driving experience. But we require NO Vehicle and Mechanical knowledge skills assessment to become an ADI.
- thorough knowledge of traffic signs specified in the Schedule to the Act and the regulations made under section 118,
These Skills are tested in the ADI theory Test
- ability to demonstrate and to explain the functions of different components, parts of the vehicles,
These Skills are tested in the ADI theory Test and the teaching examination
- adequate knowledge of English or the regional language of the region in which the school or establishment is situated
However, it is difficult to find such a person because Driving Training is not a certified course in any educational and most engineers / motor mechanics tend to work in factories. Hence most driving instructors are as such merely people who can drive a car well!
This was the challenge the UK faced in 1962 when we first set up our own first Voluntary REGISTER for ADIs. This was made compulsory in 1971 when the Government knew that there werer 12,000 ADIs – guessing we had another 12,000 unregistered instructors. The government has never offered much help to ADIs or to the various ADI organisations which represent them
At our driving schools we have a course “Train the Trainer” in which we tutor people on becoming driving instructors. When driving training was still in the nascent stages in UK, did you too face problems with the quality of instructors? How did you overcome it?
Oh, indeed we did; and to some extent we still are, eventually we arrived a situation called ORDIT the Official Register of Driving Instructor Trainers. After some training those ADIs who wish can be Tested by Government Driving Examiners to be placed on the Register. However, it is still not compulsory. Meanwhile myself and others have encouraged Universities to use their Work-Based Learning Institutes to set up BA, MA. DSc, And MSc. Courses in Driver Education. The Institute of Driver Education & Research consists of many of those ADIs who are now Graduate ADIs; and at IDER we also conduct Research units and publish papers on Degree standard training and qualifications in driving as needed.
I have included in all our correspondence, Professor Jonathan Garnett who is Director of Work-Based Learning at Middlesex University, in LONDON, to see how he may best help us with your needs. Dr Sarah-Jayne FOX, who is my Deputy President of the Institute of Driver Education & Research; is also well connected with the New University of Buckinghamshire, and she hopes for interest and help for you there.
I understand the universities in UK offer courses for Driving Training Instructors. What is the duration and syllabus of such courses?
The Courses at Middlesex usually consist of two - three years for a Foundation or Bachelor’s degree. I did my Master’s in two years, and my Doctorate in five. I am sure we can plan around a similar system; and I can create suitable training and tutor support to match.