Trainee licence, a good thing or bad thing?
There have been many meetings between the DVSA and the National Associations that represent the ADI's and the subject of trainee licences has arisen on many occasions.
The majority of the associations seem to want the abolishment of the trainee licence. I on the other hand cannot see what is wrong with it. The idea and the purpose of the trainee licence surely has to be a good thing. It gives a potential ADI the invaluable insight of how a pupil reacts within a lesson.
No matter how hard you try you cannot replicate this by the use of role play. In fact I would like to wager that many of you reading this have either been on a trainee licence, or even signed as a sponsor for someone who has used one. I know I have.
At a meeting with a minister some time ago a representative of one of the associations stated to the minister that they wouldn't trust a member of their family to be taught by a PDI, yet this same person was a trainer of PDI's, I found that very odd. I would trust the PDI's I train to teach any member of my family as I'm absolutely confident that the training I give is of a high standard.
So what are they saying is wrong with the trainee Licence? They are saying its abused. It produces sub standard PDI's. but who's fault is this? And how is it abused?
A misnomer surrounding a trainee licence is that if you have 40 hours training you've had enough training to gain a licence, then work for six months and within that time take the Part 3 test. It is well known within the industry that there are PDI's out giving tuition that have not had that amount of training.
In fact 40 hours is only the minimum amount needed to obtain a pink badge, it's not enough hours to take your part 3 exam. The PDI should be continuing their training throughout the length of the pink badge and beyond if needed.
How is this allowed to happen? Who's responsible? Quite simple, The DVSA are responsible. A trainee licence is given on the declaration that a PDI has been given the required amount of training, a simple form which is signed by a sponsor. After that the DVSA have no input or indeed interest in what happens to the PDI after the licence is granted. The next time the DVSA see the trainee is at a part 3 test.
Why isn't the DVSA having a look at the PDI before granting a trainee licence? This can be done through the form of a PDI test, to see if they have reach a good standard to give paid instruction to a learner driver? Why are they not asking for the forms which prove they have the extra training during the PDI licence, why are they not asking for the forms which say they have had more training between each part 3 test if they are not successful on an attempt? After all a pink badge costs a lot of money, what is that money for?