We offer Advanced Driver Training for the DIAmond Advanced Driving Test, the DIAmond Special Driving Test and the Cardington Special Test.

 

What the DIAmond Tests consist of:

The DIAmond Advanced Driving Test consists of a 1 hour high progress drive (while keeping within the bounds of safety and the speed limits) covering approx 30 miles, during which the Examiner will ask the candidate to perform four set exercises. These are, Reverse Left, Reverse Right, Parallel Park and the Turn in the Road.

Candidates are asked to drive under a variety of road and traffic conditions, including urban, rural, motorway and dual carriageway type roads.

Candidates are expected to drive as experienced motorists and take every opportunity to make maximum progress. Overtaking wherever it is safe and legal, while at all times demonstrating absolute control over the vehicle.

Throughout the test the examiner will observe every aspect of the drivers performance, including  levels of intuition, precision, flexibility and concentration, as well as observing how well the rules of the road are applied to each and every situation that is encountered.

To pass this test, the candidate must not commit more than 6 minor driving faults. This is the same as the Approved Driving Instructor Part 2 Exam.

Many Potential Driving Instructors (PDI's) take the DIAmond Advanced Driving test as a 'mock exam' prior to taking the ADI Part 2 Test. 

Candidates may repeat the same fault, however, if he or she repeats the same fault as a 'pattern of error' then as in the basic 'L' test this would  result in a serious fault being recorded, resulting in failure. 

If during the drive one or more serious or dangerous faults are recorded then once again the driver would fail. 

The DIAmond Special Test follows the same procedure as the DIAmond Advanced Motorist Test but, instead of allowing six minor driving faults, a maximum of two (provided they are not the same fault repeated) are allowed to pass at this level. 

This test is of 90 minutes duration and covers approximately 40 miles. During the latter part of this drive the Examiner will require the Candidate to give a commentary for a short period of time, usually around 5 to 10 minutes duration.

In addition to demanding a very high level of proficiency during this test, the examiner will assess whether or not the Candidate is driving in an Eco-friendly manner, i.e. Not over reving the engine or causing it to labour excessivly thus wasting fuel and adding to the effects of pollution. The maximum fault recorded for a non-Eco-friendly drive is one minor driving fault, even if repeated.

Although this test was introduced originally as the ultimate test of a Driving Instructors ability, it is now available to members of the general motoring public. The DIAmond Special Test is currently the most stringent measure of driving ability available to drivers in the UK.

The Cardington Special Test is currently available only to Approved Driving Instructors and is conducted at the D.S.A. Driving Examiner Training establishment at Cardington near Bedford UK.

To pass, Candidates must not commit more than 3 minor driving errors. In addition to the set exercises included in the DIAmond Advanced Driving tests, the car park (Bay Park) parking exercise is included in this test.