The latest review of DVSA’s  ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign shows that it has a positive effect on learners.

Driving instructors are considered key to the success of the campaign, not just in teaching learners effectively, but learners are more likely to listen to and heed what an ADI says to them.

‘Ready to Pass?’ has been reinforcing the need to listen to your expert advice and believe it is making a real difference.

A plan

This campaign is part of a 7-point plan to reduce driving test waiting times by the DVSA.

New research into its effectiveness examines some of the main differences in attitudes and behaviours of learner drivers who are aware of it compared to those who are not.

The campaign aims to give learner drivers information about:

• the 27 skills they need to learn
• how to combine professional driving lessons with private practice to gain more on-road experience
• managing driving test nerves
• the benefits of taking mock tests
• how the driving test works
• the risks of using cancellation finders

 

 

Changing attitudes towards being prepared  

85.6% of learners who are aware of the campaign agree people should only take their driving test when their instructor agrees they’re ready.

For learners unaware of the campaign, it’s 79.0% who agree.

The chart shows the percentage of learners who agreed with different statements about test preparation.

Changing behaviour

It appears that attitudes are being shifted, and behaviours are changing as a result.

The data shows that campaign-aware learners are:

• 1.8x more likely to use a driver’s record to track their progress
• 1.9x more likely to have a supervising driver that has read DVSA’s guidance on how to properly supervise private practice
• 1.4x more likely to have read The Highway Code while preparing for their driving test

There is a significant difference in mock test behaviour between campaign-aware learners and those who are not aware.

80.1% of campaign-aware learners took a mock test compared to 70.7% of those unaware of the campaign.

 

And 27.7% of campaign-aware learners who took a mock test said the main reason they took one was because of the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign.

When it comes to managing driving test nerves, 37.0% of campaign-aware learners say they practised mindfulness techniques while preparing for their driving test.

This compares with 26.5% of learners who are not aware of the campaign.

 

Priorities for 2025 

Make more learner drivers aware of the campaign 

Awareness of the campaign among first-attempt test takers increased from 33.5% in July 2024 to 45.9% by January 2025.

Increasing this further is key to changing attitudes and behaviours further.

Communication at an early stage, ideally before starting the learning process, is crucial for making learners and young people aware and encouraging structured learning from day one.

 

 

 

More support to driving instructors

DVSA plans to make the campaign toolkit more user-friendly through:

• new coaching resources to the toolkit
• making sure newly qualified instructors are aware of the toolkit
• providing more webinars on key topics
• encouraging CPD

Provide resources to help with nerves and anxiety

Recent surveys reveal more learners with anxiety, so DVSA aims to provide:

• additional anxiety management tools
• confidence-building resources that you can use with your pupils

As an ADI, the DVSA sees ADIs as key to improving the learning-to-drive process, cutting unnecessary test bookings, and helping reduce record test waiting times.

The ‘Ready To  Pass?” campaign is a key resource to help you.

You can find out more here .