2007

Chairman John Miller

1.              Sederunt:

Aberdeen & District Driving Schools Association	George Harper	John Wood
Approved Driving Instructors of Scotland	John Whitehead	Kenny McLean
Lanark Driving Instructors Association	Robert Jamieson	Jim Brown
Dundee & District Driving Instructors Association	Apologies
East Kilbride Driving Instructors Association	Apologies	Apologies
Edinburgh & Midlothian Driving Schools Association	Ian Scoular	Gavin Brownlie
Inverurie Driving Instructors Association	Apologies	Apologies
Moray Association of Professional Driving Instructors	Ian Simpson
Perth & District Driving Instructors Association
Stirling Instructors Association
Wishaw & District Driving Instructors Association	John Lamarra	John Miller
Trainer	Aeneas MacRitchie

2.              Apologies:

East Kilbride; Inverurie; Alan Lockhart; Ron Farmer

3.              Chairman’s Report

3.1.              House of Commons Report on Novice Drivers

Members considered the report’s contents. Members welcomed the recommendation for a minimum amount of training with an approved instructor. There was concern that this could be abused and that stipulating a minimum number of lessons might infer a required number of lessons. Members were also concerned that the group tuition recommended might be in non-ADI hands could be undermining. There was some support for the proposal but it was thought that group sessions must be limited to dealing with the ‘psychological’ aspects of driving.

Members wanted to know the DSA’s view of this proposal. Action Point Secretary

Council welcomed proposals that tests should be taken in dual-controlled cars. It was also noted that the Transport Committee recommended that there should restrictions on novice drivers for twelve months post-test. Council expressed reservations about the effectiveness of this proposal if there was no check on the driver’s development at the end of the restricted period. There was a feeling that Pass Plus should be compulsory. Council wanted to see training at all levels properly structured. There was support for recommendations that learners should have to provide evidence signed by an instructor that instruction had been undertaken. Council felt that penalties for breaking the restrictions on new drivers should be severe enough for them to be self-enforcing. Council is to consider the matter in detail and make its recommendations in due course.

Council was reminded that DSA already implements post-test checks on driving instructors to ensure that the novice instructor had developed. This principle, it was suggested, could be applied to the novice driver.

There were mixed views on the best way to deal with post-test period with some calling for a very short developmental period and other calling for time for experience to work its effect.

It was thought that it would be beneficial to approach the new Secretary of State to ascertain her views on the report. Action Point Secretary

Members were anxious to finalise policy on the issues raised and a comments form is to be circulated to member groups. Action Point J Lamarra

3.2.              Summit Meeting July 10^th Cardington

The Chairman and Secretary had attended the meeting. It had been thought that the meeting would focus on ways of bringing the industry together under a single representative body.

During discussions it was evident that other groups found DISC’s proposals for a unified register unacceptable.

There was support throughout for compulsory CPD. Council resolved to pursue its policy. A detailed account of the Council’s submission is to be circulated. Action Point J Lamarra

It was thought that DISC should seek to publicise its proposals to a wider audience.

3.3.              Driver Record

The Chairman commented on the similarity between the driver record proposed at the DSA’s Dunblane conference and the one being developed for the Council.

3.4.              Association Naming

East Kilbride had produced a recruitment card which outlined the purpose of the Council and they named their association “DISC East Kilbride”. It was noted that the DSA intended to make space available in test centre waiting room notice boards.

4.              Minutes of May 2007

4.1.              Adopted

The minutes were adopted without amendment.

4.2.              Meeting Venue

The subject is still under review.

5.              Secretary’s Report

5.1.              Highway Code

Publication date is not yet known but hopefully late September. Delay was due to an objection to wording raised in Parliament.

5.2.              Test Re-sits

The DSA has been asked to explain the difference between the numbers of novice drivers who accumulate six penalty points and the numbers who re-sit the test. Action Point Secretary

6.              Expenses

Council is to consider how visitations are paid for.

7.              Conference

7.1.              Voting

It was felt that asking for votes would help conclude items.

7.2.              Speakers

Dave Jefferson is expected to join Trevor Wedge. Dave is the Operational Manager for the North which includes Scotland.

7.3.              Teaching Aids

AIDS4ADIS are to be approached.

7.4.              Posters

Posters have been prepared and sent to DSA for distribution to test centres.

7.5.              Tickets

Tickets were available for collection.

8.              Trainer’s Report

8.1.              CPD Meetings

There had been no recent workshops on CPD. Reference was made in the Transport Committee’s report of the importance of compulsory CPD. The report says that it is imperative that the quality of driving instruction needs to be raised. The report also asks for improved entry examinations. It was agreed that it was important to pursue the issue with the Secretary of State. Council wants to see CPD introduced at the earliest possible opportunity.

9.              Elgin Test Centre

It was reported that motorcyclists from Elgin now have to travel to Inverness or Aberdeen to be tested. The distance involved is well out with the DSA service target for the provision of tests. Elgin instructors have mounted a campaign to have a multi-purpose test centre provided in Elgin and the Council’s support was sought. There is an HGV and LGV test centre which could be amalgamated with a new centre. A petition has been set up at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/moray-bike-test/

Council supported Elgin in its claim for a motorcycle testing facility and the issue is to be raised with Alasdair Morgan and Dave Jefferson (DSA). Action Point Secretary

10.           Supervision of Trainees

Concern was expressed about the fact that a recently qualified instructor is now supervising a trainee. The issue is to be raised at conference.

11.           ADINJC

NJC had expressed an interest in closer links with the Scottish Council. Council was anxious to continue co-operation with NJC and other bodies but felt that it would prefer to see the whole industry united. It declined the invitation to formalise relationships with NJC. This is consistent with their response to other bodies which had made a similar approach.

12.           Next Meeting

Conference 2^nd September; Council 7^th October at the same venue unless otherwise notified.

John Lamarra, 5 North Lodge Avenue, Motherwell. ML1 2RP 

— 01698 268711 —

johnlamarra@d-i-s-c.org.uk