Research and analysis

How driving instructors view and use mock driving tests: 2019 survey results

Published 21 June 2022

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Introduction

This report summarises research that was done to find out how driving instructors view and use mock driving tests.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) sent a survey to approved driving instructors (ADIs) and potential driving instructors (PDIs) on 18 September 2019. The survey closed on 2 October 2019.

Overall, there were 7,346 responses, which is about 19% of those invited.

Most questions were voluntary, meaning that sample sizes will vary by question. Some questions allowed more than one response.

Attitudes towards mock tests

These questions looked at how driving instructors viewed mock tests. It includes questions about:

• whether instructors offer mock tests to their pupils
• whether instructors offer mock tests to other instructors’ pupils
• if pupils ever refuse the offer of a mock test
• when instructors carry out mock tests
• how they decide whether to carry out mock tests

Do you offer your pupils a mock test during their learner journey?

There were 7,614 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Yes	81.2%
Sometimes	15.4%
No	3.3%

81%of instructors offer mock tests to their pupils.

For many it helps guide the learning process:

It helps assess their standards and ability and highlight where they need more training, so together we can work on a plan to improve. It also helps with their nerves.

It also helps learners know what a test involves:

It helps to explain many things about the test which they are unsure about or do not understand.

It can help manage expectations:

I will ask them to do one if they think they are ready but they are obviously not.

For some it is so important to have a mock test that pupils are not given the choice:

My pupils do not have a choice. I inform them that I will organise one as part of their test preparation to see if they are ready to drive safely and independently and ensure we have sufficient time prior to taking their practical test.

Do you provide more than one mock test during a learner’s journey?

There were 7,352 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Yes	51.1%
Sometimes	42.5%
No	6.3%

Can you let us know why you do not offer mock tests to your pupils?

There were 242 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of responses
I teach to drive safely, not just to pass a test	19%
I prefer to use teaching time for lessons	17%
Mock tests are not realistic	14%
It sets pupils back if they fail, makes them over-confident if they pass	14%
I can never provide judgements comparable to a driving examiner	10%
There is no benefit/no evidence it helps	7%
It makes pupils nervous	4%
It is poor value for money for pupils/often used to ‘scam’ more money from them	3%
I do not have enough experience to deliver mock tests	2%
My pupils have not requested a mock test	1%
It is hard to find another instructor to deliver the mock test	1%
My pupils would fail if I delivered a mock test	0.3%
My pupils do not want to sit a mock test	0.3%

Some people think mock tests do not work

Some think that mock tests are less useful than lessons:

It is pointless - if they make a mistake it is more important to go over it there and then rather than 40 minutes later in my opinion.

Some think they are not realistic enough:

A mock test is unrealistic. A mock test (if carried out) should be done in a real test centre from beginning to end.

Some believe that they cannot compare to a driving examiner:

I’m not an examiner. There are too many variations from examiners for ADIs to know what they want.

Some believe that they have no benefit:

There is no evidence that it actually helps the pupils.

Some people think mock tests have a negative impact

Some believe that mock tests encourage a ‘teach to the test mentality’:

I teach pupils safe driving skills for life, not just to pass the test. Safe, confident drivers should be the goal. Mock tests are unnecessary if the pupil has been taught the correct skills.

Others believe that it can knock the confidence of pupils who ‘fail’:

I find them counterproductive. If the pupil fails it sets them back and destroys their confidence. It is more productive to discuss faults during a lesson as opposed to after a mock driving test.

Some believe that it can produce over-confidence:

You can give a pupil a mock test and they can pass, then on the real test with a different person sat next to them they fail. They get lulled into a false sense of confidence.

Do you offer mock tests to other instructors’ pupils

There were 7,614 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of all respondents
Yes - and I’m asked regularly	8.1%
Yes - but I’m rarely asked	26.6%
Yes - but I’m never asked	20.4%
No - I do not offer	44.8%

Instructors fell into 1 of 4 groups:

• 55% offer mock tests to their pupils and other instructors’ pupils
• 42% only offer mock tests to their own pupils
• 1% only offer mock tests to other instructors’ pupils
• 3% do not offer mock tests to anyone

Why do you not offer mock tests to pupils of other instructors?

There were 2,701 responses to this question from those who only give mock tests to their own pupils.

Answer	Percentage of responses
No one has asked me to	26%
It has not occurred to me/no particular reason	16%
I do not have any contact with other instructors	14%
I do not have the time	12%
I may have different standards to the other instructor	8%
It’s too hard to match diaries	6%
It’s not my job/instructors should look after their own pupils	5%
I would not feel confident enough to	2%
An instructor may poach my clients/think I will	2%
I would not want to (general)	2%
I do not want another instructor in my car/insurance issues	2%
I’m too expensive for other instructors’ pupils	1%
I would not know the pupil well enough	1%
I have not got round to it yet	0.4%
I’ve been turned down by other instructors in the past	0.4%
I object to mock tests generally	0%

There were 195 responses to this question from those who do not offer mock tests to their own pupils.

Answer	Percentage of responses
No one has asked me to	15%
It has not occurred to me/no particular reason	7%
I do not have any contact with other instructors	9%
I do not have the time	8%
I may have different standards to the other instructor	9%
It’s too hard to match diaries	0.5%
It’s not my job/instructors should look after their own pupils	6%
I would not feel confident enough to	0%
An instructor may poach my clients/think I will	0%
I would not want to (general)	2%
I do not want another instructor in my car/insurance issues	0%
I’m too expensive for other instructors’ pupils	0.5%
I would not know the pupil well enough	0%
I have not got round to it yet	1%
I’ve been turned down by other instructors in the past	0%
I object to mock tests generally	35%

When it comes to offering mock tests to other instructors’ pupils there is a split between those that do them for their own pupils and those that do not.

26% say they do not offer mock tests to others’ pupils because no one asks and 16% say it has not occurred to them:

No particular reason - I have never been asked to do this but if I was then I would probably do it.

14% say they do not know any other instructors – especially true of sole traders:

I used to but now I’m a sole trader. I would be happy to do a mock test for another instructor if asked.

I have tried before but it’s too much hassle to arrange.

8% worry standards may differ, confusing pupils or offending other instructors:

My teaching method may conflict with other instructors’ approach to the mock test.

If a pupil does not accept your offer of a mock test, what reasons do they usually provide?

There were 4,119 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of responses
N/A - no one has refused	64%
They are too nervous	10%
They do not think it’s necessary/they do not need one	4%
They would prefer to have a normal lesson	4%
They do not want to pay/other instructors charge more	3%
They do not want to know the result/it would knock their confidence if they failed	2%
They need more practice/they’re not ready	2%
Do not want to (general)	2%
Mock tests are not realistic	2%
There is no benefit	2%
There is not enough time before the actual test	2%
It is too much pressure with a different instructor	1%
They’re worried if they fail, they’ll need more lessons	0.2%
They have already done a test/know what it is like	0.2%
They would prefer to do it with someone else (for example, parents)	0.1%

Many claim pupils are enthusiastic:

I’ve never had a pupil refuse as they are more or less test ready whenever we decide to do it. More pupils ask me than me asking them.

Some pupils are too nervous for a test:

Normally it’s because the pupil says that being on a test makes them feel too nervous.

Some do not think they need one:

They feel they are up to test standard and it would be a waste of a lesson.

Others prefer a regular lesson:

They would rather keep working on different aspects of driving with immediate feedback than try and remember what may have happened a while ago.

When do you first offer a mock test to a learner?

There were 7,336 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of responses
Before the test is booked	33.8%
Weeks before	58.8%
Days before	7.3%
After a fail	0.1%

What influences your decision about when to offer a mock test?

There were 7,353 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
If I think the learner is ready	71.4%
If the learner will benefit	66.5%
If the learner feels ready	56.2%
If the learner asks for one	29.9%
Driving test waiting times	9.2%

It would seem positive that instructors are booking well in advance of the test, providing opportunities to work on any areas highlighted in the results. They are also more likely to be guided by the readiness of learners, rather than waiting times.

Carrying out mock tests

These questions looked at how driving instructors carry out mock tests. It includes questions about:

• how instructors choose routes for mock tests
• what is included in a typical mock test
• if instructors feedback after faults or wait until the end of the mock test
• how instructors record mock test results

How would you decide what routes to use for a mock test?

There were 7,398 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
I choose routes with multiple different road types	74.2%
I try to choose routes which will be challenging	51.7%
I choose routes which will likely be on the test	40.7%
I tailor routes to the needs of the pupil	30.7%
I choose routes which are convenient for the pupil	9.2%
‘Other’ – typically random routes with no purpose	6.7%

Which of the following would you do during a typical mock test?

There were 7,401 responses to this question.

Answer	Always	Sometimes	Never	Total
Debrief	98%	2%	0%	100%
Reversing manoeuvre	87%	13%	0%	100%
20 min independent drive	75%	25%	0%	100%
Follow road signs	30%	69%	1%	100%
Follow a sat nav	34%	64%	2%	100%
Pre-test briefing	87%	11%	2%	100%
Time the test (min 30 min)	84%	14%	2%	100%
A ‘show me’ question	79%	18%	3%	100%
‘Tell me’ questions’	73%	22%	5%	100%
Start at a test centre	42%	45%	13%	100%
Use a printed DL25 (driving test marking sheet)	63%	21%	16%	100%
Eyesight test	56%	25%	19%	100%
Check pupil’s ID	27%	18%	55%	100%
Wear a hi-vis vest	3%	8%	89%	100%

The vast majority (80%+) include important test elements in the mock tests – though as indicated by the chart, often instructors will only include these ‘sometimes’.

Some say they only do things such as the eyesight test once:

I do not always do what I would have done on the first test, such as the eyesight and licence checks.

Beyond those tasks listed, some do multiple manoeuvres (particularly the emergency stop).

How would you provide feedback on faults made by a learner during a mock test?

There were 7,391 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Feedback after every fault	4.8%
Feedback after serious faults	48.8%
Wait until the end of the test	46.4%

Roughly half of instructors feedback after serious faults.

Some give their learners the choice:

Before we start I ask students how they want to approach the mock if they commit a serious fault - based on experience some want to end it and talk it through there and then.

Many make it clear learners can stop the test:

Prior to the mock I make the pupils aware they have the option to come out of test mode if needed (but encourage them to see it through).

Some update the approach over time:

The first test I’ll ask if they want to know when they have made a fault. So far they’ve all said yes. The subsequent tests I do not tell them until the end. I carry out a minimum of 2 tests.

Those who feedback after every fault generally consider themselves to be delivering lessons rather than mock tests and prefer the former because it provides immediate feedback.

How would you record a pupil’s performance on a mock test?

There were 7,394 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Digitally (on a phone or a tablet)	7.6%
On paper (either DL25 or own marking sheet)	84.4%
I do not record them	2.6%
Other	5.5%

I would not normally keep the sheet, I would give it to the pupil for reference.

I have video footage to playback and discuss how they dealt with certain issues.

They can take (the results) home to show parents what they need to work on.

Mock test standards

These questions looked at the standards that instructors use during mock tests, and what guidance they would like to receive to help deliver them. It includes questions about:

• how important it is that mock tests are realistic
• whether instructors use standards comparable to, or higher than, real tests
• how confident instructors are in assessing faults
• if instructors would like the DVSA to provide mock test guidance
• what guidance instructors would like to see

How important is it that the mock test is representative of a real test?

There were 7,357 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Very important	56.9%
Important	31.8%
Somewhat important	10.5%
Not important at all	0.8%

How important is it that pupils understand the benefits of a mock test?

There were 7,348 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Very important	58.6%
Important	33.7%
Somewhat important	7.0%
Not important at all	0.7%

For mock tests, do you use standards comparable to DVSA or higher?

There were 7,387 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Standards comparable to those used by driving examiners	51.3%
Standards stricter than those used by driving examiners	48.7%

Most (89%) think mock tests should be as realistic as possible, but half (49%) use standards above that of real tests. Some of these think it is important because they are teaching safe driving, not just passing the test. Some think higher standards increase the chances of passing.

Some instructors say they engage in role play to make mock tests as realistic as possible, including:

• acting as though they do not know the pupil
• only answering questions at the end
• avoiding chit chat

How confident are you that you know what criteria DVSA examiners use when assessing a driving fault?

There were 7,387 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Very confident	35.1%
Confident	47.4%
Somewhat confident	16.2%
Not confident at all	1.2%

How confident are you that you know what criteria DVSA examiners use when assessing a serious fault?

There were 7,375 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Very confident	43.3%
Confident	43.9%
Somewhat confident	11.8%
Not confident at all	1.0%

How confident are you that you know what criteria DVSA examiners use when assessing a dangerous fault?

There were 7,377 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Very confident	50.2%
Confident	38.0%
Somewhat confident	10.7%
Not confident at all	1.1%

Results are fairly consistent for different faults, though confidence increases the more ‘serious’ it is. 69% have the same level of confidence with all 3 fault types, 22% are more confident the more serious the fault – just 9% are more confident the less serious the fault.

Why do you feel this way?

There were 5,188 responses to this question.

Reasons for not being confident

23% of responses were reasons why instructors do not feel confident.

Some are not confident because they believe there is inconsistency between examiners:

I’ve had different learners making the exact same mistakes and yet being marked differently by examiners.

Others mention unclear guidelines:

The guidelines are so vague it’s difficult to know exactly how examiners grade tests. One can only make educated guesses.

Some believe that they do not have skills equivalent to an examiner:

I feel that without undergoing the same training as an examiner I could not commit to saying I was ‘very confident’.

Reasons for being confident

77% of responses were reasons why instructors do feel confident.

Some say that observing driving tests has helped their confidence:

I have observed tests in numerous locations and have a good idea how examiners tend to look at faults in certain scenarios.

Some cite their general experience:

If you spend half of your life on roads you should know which mistake is low risk, which high. It is as simple as 2+2.

Others mention sitting in on debriefs and speaking to examiners:

I always sit in on the debrief after the test and chat to the examiner with the client.

How important do you think it is that DVSA provides guidance on the benefits of conducting mock tests to ADI and PDIs?

There were 7,388 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Very important	57.1%
Important	29.2%
Somewhat important	10.1%
Not important at all	3.6%

86% think it’s important to promote the benefits of mock tests to instructors.

A very small number did feel it was inappropriate for DVSA to involve itself in this area:

There is no need for the DVSA to get involved. An ADI can converse with his pupils and suggest the correct course of action. Why complicate it?

I think most ADIs would prefer to be left to get on with it, as they are on the frontline and probably have a much better understanding of what is required.

How important do you think it is that DVSA provides guidance on the benefits of conducting mock tests to learner drivers?

There were 7,390 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentage of respondents
Very important	52.6%
Important	30.6%
Somewhat important	12.2%
Not important at all	4.5%

83% think it is important to promote the benefits of mock tests to learners.

I know many who do not conduct mock tests, but if they knew how beneficial they are, they probably would not take pupils on tests so quickly.

What would be the most useful way for DVSA to provide this guidance to ADI and PDIs?

There were 5,506 responses to this question.

Answer	Percentange of responses
In-person guidance	27%
Workshops or seminars	23%
Emails	19%
Online (general)	12%
Videos/YouTube	10%
Online courses	2%
Dedicated app	2%
Webinars	2%
Social media	1%
Blog posts	1%

49% of responses suggested providing guidance to instructors in digital formats.

27% suggest providing guidance to instructors in person:

Seminars with examiners, to hear from them and how they deal with certain driving faults.

Practical guidance, by doing a seminar indicating the differences between driving faults.

A lot of centres hold clinics - maybe this would be a useful way of delivering guidance.

Training - PDIs get all the required training and once you’ve passed your part 3 you’re on your own.

1 in 5 instructors asked for specific content from DVSA. The following table summarises these responses:

Answer	Percentage of responses
Examiner marking criteria	29%
Guidelines for conducting mock tests	22%
Mock test sheets/DL25s	20%
How ADIs should mark faults	16%
Benefits of mock tests	7%
Ideas for test routes	5%