Online driving examiner assessment: a complete guide

The job of a qualified driving examiner is to assess if a candidate has the competency to drive safely and if they are eligible to hold a full driving licence. Of course, they are involved in driving licence activities, but they also have responsibilities for road safety and traffic.

A driving examiner has the authority to decide if a driver passes or fails their driving licence test. Either way, the driving examiner has to provide a motivation for their decision with regard to the driving legislation in place.

Statistics show that 1.6 million practical driving tests were taken in 2019/20 in the United Kingdom alone. Driving is an essential part of many people’s lives and the most common mode of transport. There is no doubt that qualified driving examiners are always needed. So, how do you become a driving examiner?

How do I become a driving examiner?

First, you need to meet the minimum criteria. For example, in the European Union (EU), you need to have held an EU driver’s licence continuously for the last three years, and have no more than three penalty points at the time of the test. If you are applying for a motorcycle or LGV licence, you may also need additional licences (a category A for motorcycles, or manual full C and E for LGV).

Second, you must have thorough knowledge and strong skills in the following:

• driving assessments and the role of an examiner in road safety;
• relevant road and traffic legislation in the region or country;
• theory of driving behaviour, assessment theory and techniques including defensive driving, hazard perception and accident avoidance;
• competencies relevant to assessing the performance of a candidate during a driving test for the specific driving licence category in question.

There are three stages to become a qualified driving examiner:

• Stage 1: Online driving examiner assessments;
• Stage 2: Assessment of the driving ability;
• Stage 3: Training period (includes theory test and hazard perception test).

What is an online driving examiner assessment?

The first step in becoming a driving instructor is to take an online driving examiner assessment. This online evaluation determines whether or not you have the required qualities for the job. Of course, the tests to become a driving examiner are more challenging than standard driving tests. Examiners need to meet higher standards than regular drivers. The computer-based online assessment measures a driver’s skills and knowledge in driving, vehicle comprehension, health and road safety management.

What is included in the online driving assessment? The online driving examiner assessment is divided into several sections, and each section evaluates your attitudes and behaviours in certain situations.

• The first section of the online assessment looks at your personality. Basically, you agree or disagree with statements about attitude, ideas, and experience of the work environment. You respond according to your own opinions.
• In the interpersonal skill section of the online test, you are given a list of behaviours and you choose which ones are the most or least important in a work environment.
• In the final part of the assessment, you watch a video showing a typical real-life work situation. You then choose the best and worst actions or reactions from the proposed list.

How to pass the driving examiner assessment?

Once you have completed the online driving examiner assessment, you move onto the second stage, which will assess your driving. During the practical driving assessment, you need to demonstrate a very high standard of driving competence, concentration, observation, anticipation, planning and reactions.

Training is necessary if you want to pass both the online and practical driving assessments. It usually takes about five weeks to complete, depending on the region and country. Your driving examiner training includes:

• education on how to conduct a driving test, including pre-test procedures, dealing with test applicants, filling in paperwork, giving directions, knowledge of test routes, and delivering test results and conclusions
• proper eyesight check procedures
• development of your driving skills, with particular emphasis on hazard perception and awareness
• appropriate wording to use during tests and ways to terminate a driving test, when necessary
• adequate behaviour in unique situations, for example when working with people with disabilities
• correct driving procedures and knowledge of driving legislation.

Now you have successfully qualified as a driving instructor - congratulations! However, keep in mind that you are still required to undertake regular evaluations and continuous training.

Need more information about what is a driving risk assessment? Read our complete guide about driving assessment. See also: information and advice about driving test certificate, driving test programme: all you need to know, complete guide about eye test certificate for driving licence, online driving examiner assessment: all you need to know.