BDS Training Initiative
In conjunction with the Salisbury Bursary Fund

TAKE YOUR BDS ROAD DRIVING ASSESSMENT TEST FOR JUST £5

New training initiative is key to your future on the Road

The British Driving Society has a well-established scheme of competence tests, beginning at Preliminary level (NVQ equivalent 2) progressing through Intermediate to Advanced levels (NVQ equivalent 4).

Every member of the BDS now has the opportunity to take the Road Driving Assessment, as a stand-alone test for just £5. This test can be taken in conjunction with the tests above, or it can be taken separately from the testing system. This is now possible as there is an additional element in the syllabus, which covers basic driving competence, i.e. driving in an enclosed area, before the candidate is allowed to drive on the road; if not having previously achieved Unit 2 of the Preliminary level.

A partnership between the B D S and the Salisbury Bursary Fund has been developed, to enable as many members as possible to benefit from this scheme. In total £25,500 is being made available to the BDS from the Salisbury Bursary Fund over a period of three years, with a further £1,000 available for the promotion and advertising of the initiative.

The way legislation is going, in five years time we may not be able to drive on the road, if we don’t hold a Road Driving Competence Certificate. As nearly all the members drive on the road at some time or another, now is a good time to take up this opportunity.

It is hoped through our network of Area Commissioners and Approved Test Centres to encourage members to get together in their areas to take their Road Driving Assessment. They will find that it is not difficult but just involves the demonstration of a series of correct, safe procedures many of which they should be familiar with. There is a £50 Training Allowance for the Road Driving Assessment Day, (Minimum no. 10) being made available to Areas to assist members training, prior to them taking the Assessment. The Training Committee will consider special cases if groups cannot fulfil these requirements. Liaison between the Area, Office and the Assessor will take place to carry out the Road Driving Assessments. The SBF propose to pay £10 towards each candidate entering the assessment with additional funding from the Society. In addition the BDS will make available the sum of £50 towards training costs linked to an assessment day and the Salisbury Bursary Fund a further £50 going towards the administrative costs of an assessment day.

Syllabus

Road Driving Assessment Application form

Claim form
To be completed by the Area Commissioner and sent back to BDS Head Office once the Test Assessment day has been held.

These can also be obtained from the BDS Office or your Area Commissioner.

When an area has a number of candidates ready to take their test, the Area Commissioner will liaise with the Office, test centre or directly with an Assessor to organise an Assessment Day. It is the responsibility of each candidate to send back his or her completed application form along with the individual payment of £5.00.

If you have trouble finding out where Assessments are to be held please contact the BDS Head Office who will advise you of the nearest Assessment Day and the date.