Zipper's Driving School - News Views & Trivia

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NOTE: Comments expressed in these columns are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of others.
IS DTAL WORKING? WHAT IS HAPPENING TO DTAL? NOT ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
2003

(This article was written before the sudden changes to the DTAL Program was announced. Whether the "new system" will overcome these problems or not, will have to be seen).

There is a current wave of concern that the DTAL program's subsidised logbook CBT&A-based training system is not producing safe novice drivers.
Many of the concerns come directly from a group of professional NT driver trainers who are worried about the way many students are trained, the adverse impact on overall road safety, and the bad publicity which driving instructors are getting at present.

ALLEGATIONS OF MISTREATMENT Allegations include:
  • not using good instructional techniques,
  • not training learners in correct techniques or to the required standard,
  • not covering all the competencies required by the system,
  • not correctly assessing learners,
  • avoiding conducting assessment drives and covering up in the paperwork,
  • signing off students too early and letting unsafe & poorly prepared provisional drivers onto our roads,
  • "dumping" students i.e., abandoning them when they have finished using their vouchers,
  • retaining learners' voucher books and cashing in un-used vouchers,
  • retaining learners' log books,
  • shouting at students,
  • frightening students e.g. driving them through a busy 2-lane roundabout on their very first lesson,
  • giving short lessons but charging full rate,
  • regularly being late for booked lessons,
  • regularly not turning up for booked lessons and not notifying the learner in advance,
  • conducting sessions in cars not equipped with any dual controls (minimum recommended is a brake pedal on left hand side).
    		•
     2003

    This was written in November 2003 after the logbook assessing system was unceremoniously cancelled without warning - causing outrage from instructors and their students. Significant changes to the governance and operation of the DTAL program was not warmly received at first.

    Confusion reigned in the NT driver training industry in March this year as major changes were made to the DTAL Program and to the CBT&A-based log book training system.

    PROGRAM TEMPORARILY HALTED
    DTAL Theory classes were halted in December 2003 after a funding shortfall while DTAL was put "on hold" pending review.
    This caused a lot of confusion and tension among training providers who were uncertain of their future.
    Students on the program who passed their Final Check Drive on the log book system had to pay for the issue of their Provisional licence, despite having paid their $66 entrance fee with the understanding that this cost would be covered.

    CHANGE IN FUNDING & GOVERNANCE
    DTAL is now funded by DEET (Dept of Employment, Education & Training) instead of through the MACA (Motor Vehicle Compensations Act) scheme administered by the Territory Insurance Office, and now follows financial-year management practices.
    Governance of the DTAL Program is transferred from the DTAL Board of Governance to the Employment and Training division of DEET.

    LETTER TO INSTRUCTORS
    On 27th Feb Mr Roger Bryett, Director Training Branch sent a letter to Authorised Driving Instructors (ADIs) outlining the program Guidelines:
  • 16 to 18 year olds funded in the program;
  • 12 funded lessons (vouchers) for students under the Driver Training Logbook;
  • Vouchers valid until 30 June 2004;
  • Courses will need to commence no later than 10 May 2004 to ensure funding aligns with end of financial year management practices;
  • Funded Learner and Provisional Licences for successful DTAL Program students;
    • Administration changes affecting driver trainers include:
  • No requirement for Specialist Driver Trainer Status;
  • Requirement for Certificate IV Driving Instruction ($100 rebate for existing instructors by DEET);
  • Requirement for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance;
  • Student undertakes practical driver licence test booked through the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR); (note: instead of being assessed for their licence by their driver trainer);
    • Most training providers assumed that this would affect only students entering the program after 1st March.
    May 2004

    In May 2004 a meeting of all stakeholders in the DTAL program was held to explain the sweeping changes to the DTAL Program. Not all the fears of instructors were allayed however...

    Although the 10th May meeting addressed and answered some questions, there are many concerns to be raised. Some examples of these are:

    Query handling at MVR
    At present, trainers do not know the best person to talk to at the MVR to get accurate information.
    Closely related is the next concern...

    Consistency in advice
    There have been significant differences in advice received, not only between the two departments DEET & DIPE, but also from within the MVR Audit Cell in DIPE.

    Long waiting list for Vehicle On Road Tests (VORT)  (6 weeks, will possibly worsen)
    DIPE maintains that a long waiting list is an advantage which helps ensure that applicants have retained their skills. This is certainly true, but it is the right solution for the wrong problem.
    It is up to the applicant, assisted by the trainer, to ensure that his/her skills are maintained and it is up to the MVR as a Public Service to ensure that VORT tests are available within a reasonable time.
    Long waiting lists encourage desperate instructors & students to "bulk book" well ahead, adding to the difficulty of conducting cost-efficient training and further straining the limited resources of the MVR.

    Differences between Log Book and VORT
    This is a serious concern, there is no doubt that the Competency Based assessing system is far superior if done correctly.
    Closely related is the next concern...

    Depth of knowledge & experience of current Licence Testing Officers (LTO)
    This is a major concern of all driver trainers, especially the experienced ones used to the higher standards & greater professionalism of the "pre-log book" LTOs. Also of concern is that complaints against LTOs by instructors on behalf of their students (inconsistency, unfair testing, mis-treatment) do not seem to have reached the higher levels of authority within Road User Division.

    The above are just a few examples of the concerns which will be raised during the DTAL review process.
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