Annex IV — MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PERSONS WHO CONDUCT PRACTICAL DRIVING TESTS

1. Competences required by a driving examiner (1)A person authorised to conduct practical assessments in a power-driven vehicle of the driving performance of a candidate shall have knowledge, skills and understanding related to the topics listed in points (2) to (8). (2)The competences of an examiner shall be relevant to assessing the performance of a candidate seeking the category of driving licence entitlement for which the driving test is being undertaken. (3)Knowledge and understanding of driving and assessment: (a) theory of driving behaviour; (b) hazard perception and accident avoidance; this includes understanding and paying attention to the vulnerability of non-motorised road users and users of motorised two-wheelers; (c) the syllabus underpinning driving test standards; (d) the requirements of the driving test; (e) relevant road and traffic law, including relevant Union and national law and interpretative guidelines; (f) assessment theory and techniques; (g) defensive driving. (4)Assessment skills: The examiner shall be able to: (a) observe accurately, monitor, and evaluate the candidate’s overall performance, in particular: (i) the correct and comprehensive recognition of dangerous situations; (ii) the accurate determination of cause and likely effect of dangerous situations; (iii) the achievement of competence and recognition of errors; (iv) uniformity and consistency in assessment; (b) assimilate information quickly and extract key points; (c) look ahead, identify potential problems, and develop strategies to deal with them; (d) provide timely and constructive feedback. (5)Personal driving skills: A person authorised to conduct a practical test for a given category of driving licence shall be able to drive the relevant type of power-driven vehicle to a consistently high standard. (6)Quality of service: (a) establish and communicate what the candidate can expect during the test; (b) communicate clearly, choosing content, style and language to suit the audience and context and deal with enquiries from candidates; (c) provide clear feedback about the test result; (d) treat candidates with respect and without discrimination. (7)Knowledge about vehicle technique and physics, including: (a) knowledge about vehicle technology, such as steering, tyres, brakes, lights, especially for motorcycles and heavy vehicles; (b) knowledge about loading safety; (c) knowledge about vehicle physics, such as speed, friction, dynamics and energy. (8)Driving in a fuel or energy efficient and environmentally-friendly way. 2. General conditions (1)A category B driving examiner: (a) shall have held a category B driving licence for at least three years; (b) shall be at least 23 years old; (c) shall have successfully completed the initial qualification provided for in point 3 and subsequently followed the quality assurance and the periodic training arrangements provided for in point 4; (d) shall have terminated vocational education that leads at least to a completion of level 3 as set out in the UNESCO International Standard Classification of Education(ISCED); (e) shall not simultaneously be active as a driving examiner and as a commercial driving instructor. (2)A driving examiner for the other categories: (a) shall hold a driving licence in the category concerned, or possess equivalent knowledge through adequate professional qualification; (b) shall have successfully completed the initial qualification provided for in point 3 and subsequently followed the quality assurance and the periodic training arrangements as provided for in point 4; (c) shall have been a qualified category B driving examiner for at least three years; this requirement may be waived provided that the examiner in question can provide evidence of: (i) at least five years of driving in the category concerned; or (ii) a theoretical and practical assessment of driving ability of a standard higher than that needed to obtain a driving licence thus making that requirement unnecessary; (d) shall have terminated vocational education that leads at least to a completion of level 3 as set out in the ISCED; (e) shall not simultaneously be active as a driving examiner and as a commercial driving instructor. (3) Professional standard Examiners shall, in the performance of their task of practical assessments, remain free from external influence, whether direct or indirect. They shall refrain from any action incompatible with their duties and observe objectivity and impartiality when they carry out their tasks. (4) Equivalences (a) Member States may authorise an examiner to conduct driving tests for categories AM, A1, A2 and A upon passing the initial qualification required under point 3 for one of those categories. (b) Member States may authorise an examiner to conduct driving tests for categories C1, C, D1 and D upon passing the initial qualification required under point 3 for one of those categories. (c) Member States may authorise an examiner to conduct driving tests for categories BE, C1E, CE, D1E and DE upon passing the initial qualification required under point 3 for one of those categories. 3. Initial qualification (1) Initial training (a) Before a person may be authorised to conduct driving tests, that person shall satisfactorily complete such training programme as a Member State may specify in order to have the competences set out in point 1. (b) Member States shall determine whether the content of any particular training programme will relate to authorisation to conduct driving tests for one driving licence category, or more than one. (2) Examinations (a) Before a person may be authorised to conduct driving tests, that person shall demonstrate a satisfactory standard of knowledge, understanding, skills and aptitude in respect of the subjects listed in point 1. (b) Member States shall operate an examination process that assesses, in a pedagogically appropriate manner, the competences of the person as defined under point 1, in particular point 1.(4). The examination process shall meet the accessibility requirements set out in Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council and include both a theory element and a practical element. Computer-based assessment may be used where appropriate. The details concerning the nature and duration of any tests and assessments within the examination shall be at the discretion of the individual Member States. (c) Member States shall determine whether the content of any particular examination will relate to authorisation to conduct driving tests for one driving licence category, or more than one. 4. Quality assurance and periodic training (1) Quality assurance (a) Member States shall have in place quality assurance arrangements to provide for the maintenance of standards of driving examiners. (b) Quality assurance arrangements shall involve the supervision of examiners at work, their further training and re-accreditation, their continuing professional development, and the periodic review of the outcomes of the driving tests that they have conducted. (c) Member States shall provide that each examiner is subject to yearly supervision, making use of quality assurance arrangements listed in point 4.(1), point (b). Moreover, Member States shall provide that each examiner is observed conducting tests once every five years, for a minimum period cumulatively of at least half a day, allowing the observation of several tests. When issues are identified, corrective action shall be put in place. The observer shall be a person authorised by the Member State for that purpose. (d) Member States may provide that, where an examiner is authorised to conduct driving tests in more than one category, satisfying the observation requirement in relation to tests for one category satisfies the requirement for more than one category. (e) The work of carrying out driving examinations shall be monitored and supervised by a body authorised by the Member State, to ensure the correct and consistent application of assessment. The Member States shall ensure that the members of that body who are tasked with undertaking the monitoring and supervision are impartial and independent from external intervention or political pressure in the exercise of their functions. (2) Periodic training (a) Member States shall provide that, in order to remain authorised, driving examiners, irrespective of the number of categories for which they are accredited, undertake: (i) a minimum regular periodic training of four days in total per period of two years in order to: maintain and refresh the necessary knowledge, examining and communication skills; develop new competences that have become essential for the exercise of their profession; ensure that they continue to conduct tests to a fair and uniform standard; (ii) a minimum periodic training of at least five days in total per period of five years in order to develop and maintain the necessary practical driving skills. (b) Member States shall take the appropriate measures for ensuring that specific training is given promptly to those examiners whose performance has been found to be seriously inadequate by the quality assurance system in place. (c) Periodic training may take the form of briefing, classroom training, conventional or electronic-based learning, and it may be undertaken on an individual or group basis. It may include such re-accreditation of standards as Member States consider appropriate. (d) Member States may provide that, where an examiner is authorised to conduct driving tests in more than one category, satisfying the periodic training requirement in relation to tests for one category satisfies the requirement for more than one category, provided the condition set out in point 4.(2), point (e), is satisfied. (e) Where an examiner has not conducted tests for a category within a 24-month period, the examiner shall undertake a suitable reassessment before being allowed to carry out driving tests relating to that category. That re-assessment may be undertaken as part of the requirement set out in point 4.(2), point (a). 5. Acquired rights (1)Member States may allow persons authorised to conduct driving tests immediately before 19 January 2013 to continue to conduct driving tests, notwithstanding that they were not authorised in accordance with the general conditions in point 2 or the initial qualification process set out in point 3. (2)Such examiners shall nonetheless be subject to the regular supervision and quality assurance arrangements set out in point 4.