Sutton Test Centre Surgery Minutes - 18/2/2011

Surgery Meeting Minutes

18th February 2011 at Sutton Test Center



Test Centre Manger, George informed us the Test Centre is open on Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Royal Wedding Day and May Day as the waiting time for tests is currently 11 weeks.

Examiners, Rob Cole and Debbie (ex-Wallington examiner) are to join Sutton Test Centre. Debbie will be taking Parts II and III, and check tests. George will continue to do II and III and check tests. He will also be Test Centre Manager until further notice.

George requested that ADI’s licences, if not easily removable, should be written down on a piece of paper to include their Name, Certificate number and ADI number.

Pupil change of addresses should be checked before going to test with any change of address changed on licence beforehand.

George requested that Instructors should move off from a manoeuvre when an Examiner approaches. However, he is aware that reflections can occasionally make it hard to clarify when it is an Instructor, but they will hold up their clipboard and always wear high visibility jackets.

George advised us that his Newsletter is available, but we are not sure where this is currently available.

It was expressed that some Instructor cars have dirty rear seats when examiners are carrying out check-tests and requested that the removable nylon seat covers are not used as they increase slippage on heavy braking.

Residents of Lewis Road are complaining of rubbish left near the parking meter.

All bulbs should be checked and working before the test.

Please make sure mirrors are available, or can be adjusted upwards, for tall examiners.

George reported that independent driving was proceeding well, except in a couple of instances. Examiners do advise on which lane to take at Rose Hill. Pupils should use bus lanes unless the times displayed dictate they shouldn’t.

Sutton Test Centre is very popular and he thanked the Instructors for their commitment. He requested that if any Instructor had any problems we should contact him direct or contact Mark Aston his details are displayed in the Test Centre waiting room area.

All check test are to be carried out exclusively in English.

Many check test appointments are ignored; in future 1 missed appointment without a valid excuse will result in the individual being placed on the removal list by the DSA.

To allow examiners carry out a manoeuvre (reverse corner), instructors should move forward if possible to allow the test to continue, then resume afterwards.

Independent driving on test is going well, although a couple of examples were raised, common sense and observation might well have helped.

There are no plans by the DSA to occupy the old Burger King site.

CRB checks are necessary due to some disabled 16yr olds taking a disabled driving test.

George always says avoid crossing over the ‘invisible’ wall between yourself and pupil unless you have to and then tell them why you had to do it.

He finally advised, he hoped he would have another surgery in two months.