Construct validation and psychometric evaluation of the Self-Efficacy Scale for Driver Competence

The aim of the present study was to examine the construct validity of the Self-Efficacy Scale for Driver Competence (SSDC). The SSDC was based on a theoretical model for perceived driver competence, based on the self-efficacy construct and five aspects of driver competence. Two samples of driving license examinees (n = 805, n = 721) completed two parallel versions of the SSDC. Participants' mean age was 21.5 years and of them 44% were women. Both versions of the SSDC had sound psychometric properties. The results provided support for substantial and structural aspects of construct validity. Some evidence of external validity of the test scores was obtained, although the relationship between perceived and actual driver competence was weaker than expected. The consequences of the use and interpretation of SSDC are discussed.