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Here at DVSA, we know that the driving theory test is a rite of passage for every learner driver.
With around 2.5 million of them being carried out each year, it’s important that they’re accessible to everyone. As part of this, we’re pleased to announce that on Monday 19 May we launched the UK Government’s first British Sign Language (BSL) online translation service for candidates booking their theory test online.
We’re aiming to make booking the test easier for you and your pupils – so everyone has the tools they need to learn to drive.
Independence, accessibility, fairness
The Signly integration, in collaboration with the Government Digital Service (GDS) and digital technology company Kainos is a milestone for the DVSA. As the first of its kind to be introduced across the Government, it’s a notable shift in how government services are designed, delivered, and experienced by D/deaf users.
While accessibility has always been a priority for the theory test service, it became even more of a focus after the launch of the new booking service in September 2021. In the years that have followed, we have implemented several improvements to the booking service – some of which we’ll touch on later.
In particular, we wanted to prioritise how BSL users could access the theory test booking service. Looking at the data, we noticed that the theory test pass rate was much lower among customers who required support. We didn’t want this to be the case, so we knew something needed to change.
To try to get to the bottom of this, our team worked with the GDS to delve deeper into the statistics.
Together they looked at various aspects of the theory test, such as:
- preparing for the test
- learning materials
- how to book the test online
- the test centre experience
- taking the test
Creating the BSL translation service
We learned a lot from the collaboration and began looking into what changes could be made to the online booking service. With the help of the GDS, Kainos and Signly, we started work on integrating the BSL translation service.
To get things right we held a series of user research session with BSL users, with one participant calling the service ‘life-changing’.
After five months of working on the project, the BSL online translation service was successfully launched in May for candidates booking a theory test.
Signly translates written English text into BSL videos. This means that users can select a paragraph to be signed to them, enabling them to book their own theory test online.
By bridging the gap between text and signed communication, the service will enhance the overall experience for BSL users. It will advocate and promote BSL across government services to improve accessibility too.
Introducing other improvements
While it may mark a milestone moment for digital accessibility, the BSL online translation service is just one of many improvements we’ve made to the theory test booking service – particularly when it comes to non-standard bookings.
In the past, most of these booking arrangements needed to be done manually. As you may expect, this added more time to the booking process and didn’t give candidates the ability to self-serve.
New changes to the booking service include:
- Allowing extra time non-standard bookings to be made online
- Enabling individuals to scan identification documents online, rather than manually inputting information
- Letting users upload and save medical evidence when making their booking
- Issuing upload reminders to prompt users to provide any supporting documentation
Taking the theory test
The theory test now features accommodations for candidates who are d/Deaf or have a hearing impairment:
1. On-screen BSL translation
A BSL video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.
2. BSL interpreter
Candidates have the option to have a BSL interpreter with them during the test. We can also provide a deaf relay interpreter for candidates who will work alongside the BSL interpreter, and with the candidate where possible, to translate words to the customer in a sign they can understand.
3. Hearing loop and lip speakers
You can also arrange to have a lip speaker with you during the test, and you can use a listening aid (hearing loop) too.
To see how the BSL translation service works, visit Book your theory test - GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/book-theory-test and “turn BSL on”.
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