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Development and Evaluation of a Competence-Based Exam for Prospective Driving Instructors



Author(s)

Erik C. Roelofs, Maria Bolsinova, Angela Verschoor and Jan A. M. M. Vissers

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2142/2015.03.003

According to changed views on driver training and driver instructor preparation, a competence-based instructor exam was introduced in the Netherlands. The exam consists of two parts: (1) multimedia theory tests; (2) a performance lesson for driving instruction and coaching. An implicit idea behind the innovated exam is that it can have a positive backwash effect on the quality of driver instructor preparation programs. This study aims to evaluate the reliability, validity and fairness of the theoretical tests, which appear in different versions for successive groups of PDIs (prospective driving instructors). Data of 4,741 PDIs, enrolled during the period between January 2010 and October 2012, were used for analysis. The results of psychometric analyses show that the theory tests yielded reliable and fair decisions about instructor certification. The predictive validity of the theory tests for the final performance assessment was low. Implications for the design and on-the-fly maintenance of exam item banks are discussed. Follow-up studies will focus on the question, whether the improved instructor exam produces safer drivers in the end.

Prospective driving instructors, evidence centered design, validity, competence-based exams.