pd4me:

Hi!

Just wondering how others approach some of the questions in the driving theory test. You know the ones where you give the answer away, or a pretty massive clue anyhow, if you interpret the question into BSL. I’ve asked some interpreters and got a mixed response. Some say they fingerspell because by interpreting the question they give the answer away and that the deaf person taking the test should have done their homework and, therefore, should know what e.g. a ‘passing place’ is. Other interpreters say they interpret the question into BSL even if it gives a clue as to the answer because that’s what they’ve been paid to do and by just fingerspelling, for example, they are disadvantaging the candidate because they haven’t interpreted the question into BSL.

Any suggestions as to the best way to tackle questions like these? I’ve listed a few examples below:

‘Tailgating’ means

- using the rear door of a hatchback car
- reversing into a parking space
- following another car too closely
- driving with rear fog lights on

What is a passing place?
(I’m not sure what the possible answers for this question are)

‘Coasting’ the vehicle
- improves the driver’s control
- makes steering easier
- reduces the driver’s control
- uses more fuel

Any ideas? Thanks!
Rosemary

As someone studing for their theroy test, I have to learn the words, so I would tend to lean towards, fingerspelling the word and then giving the options in BSL. Therefore its the best of both options. When I sit my test, I will let you know what I think about it during the test, if it does give an unfair advantage. Maybe what will help me in my test is to remember the BSL to help me learn

Fleur

Thanks Fleur. I'm still asking around and still getting varied responses along the above lines.

A word such as 'tailgating' in the main question I feel should be fingerspelt as it is a technical term in that context. The options can be translated into BSL. Again with the same thing as What is a passing place? If you signed the words passing place then this would give the answer away. Hearing people in that situation have to learn the terminology and they don't have any visual clues to help them. This is how we have to work in education with students taking tests and exams.

Hope this is helpful.

Hi Sarah, yes that’s really helpful – thanks. Quite a few people I’ve spoken to have said just the same as you.

However, I’m wondering if the term ‘passing place’ in English also gives a pretty big clue as to the answer. Maybe the visual clues in BSL aren’t SO much greater than the aural clues in English?? Yet if we interpret it by fingerspelling, the deaf person misses out on the aural and visual clues.

It would also be interesting to see the official onscreen interpretation that deaf people can choose to use, and to see how these issues are dealt with on this.

Thanks for your help,
Rosemary

Hi Rosemary. I agree that it's a fine balance between giving too many visual clues and making sure that the Deaf client understands the question. Some preparation by studying an official DVLA Driving Theory Test CD would give you more time (in advance) to think of other ways to sign the more difficult phrases without giving away the answer. Preparation is everything, as they say! In the past, if a client has been completely at a loss to understand (without me signing in such an obvious way as to give the answer) I have asked the test supervisor for assistance. That way, you can sign what they say and know that the responsibility is on the test centre staff to give as much or as little info as is allowed. Obviously, you have to explain the dilemma to them to make sure they understand your difficulty. Hope that's some help. ~ Morag

Just to let you know I have past my driving test ( some time ago). It helped for me to pratise the questions in BSL and remember that in the the test room.

Too many visual clues can give the game away in this test. Also noted that after the test they try some new questions out, so be prepared to keep siging. On the whole it is a very complicated business. The results information will also need translating as can be complicated too.

I am happy to answer questions on what the test is like having just been through the process

Fleur;-)