CHAPTER 3EXAMINERS

Article 7Independence and impartiality

Applicants shall confirm that they will conduct examinations in an impartial and non-discriminatory manner, free of any pressure and incentive which could affect the judgement or the results of the examination and the way the examination is carried out.

For this purpose the F1ORR or the Department as the case may be shall develop a statement incorporated in an application form to be signed by the applicant.

Article 8Competence requirements

1.

Applicants shall be competent and experienced regarding the subject of examination they want to conduct.

The experience requested shall be gathered during professional practice of minimum 4 years’ duration within a period of not more than 5 years before the application date.

The requested period of professional experience may include periods of experience as a manager of train drivers who holds a valid train driver licence and complimentary certificate or as a trainer for training tasks relevant to the application submitted.

2.

In regard to practical examinations on board trains the applicant must be the holder of both a valid train driver licence and a valid certificate covering the subject of examination or a similar type of line/rolling stock. When the examiner does not hold a valid certificate for the infrastructure/rolling stock of the examination, a driver holding the certificate for that infrastructure/rolling stock shall be present to the examination in accordance with F2regulation 4(7)(e) and (8) of the Regulations or regulation 4(6)(e) and (7) of the NI Regulations, as the case may be.

The applicant shall have professional practice in driving of minimum 4 years’ duration and gathered within a period of not more than 5 years before the application date. The applicant’s knowledge must be up–to-date at the time of the application.

3.

In addition, applicants shall meet the following minimum criteria:

(a)

they shall be competent in listening and spoken interaction at minimum level B2 of the European Framework for Language Competence (EFLC) established by the Council of Europe3, in the language of examination;

(b)

they shall have the skills and the pedagogical aptitude required for the purpose of conducting examinations, and have thorough knowledge of the relevant examination methods and examination documents;

(c)

they shall demonstrate how they will keep their professional competences regarding the subjects they examine updated;

(d)

they shall be familiar with the certification scheme for train drivers.

4.

F3The ORR or the Department may establish additional requirements for examiners performing examinations related to its own infrastructure.