Committee publication · Correspondence · 5 February 2025 · HC 437
Letter to the Minister of Roads, Department for Transport relating to driving tests availability, dated 4 February 2025
From: Transport Committee
Inquiry: Driving tests availability
Summary
The Transport Committee writes to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport seeking clarification on nine specific aspects of the Government's announced measures to reduce practical car driving test waiting times. The Committee acknowledges existing steps but expresses concern that more radical action is needed, and requests bi-monthly updates on progress.
Key findings
- Committee recognises driving test waiting times as a longstanding problem requiring urgent action, but notes existing measures have had only modest impact on wait times
- Seeks clarification on whether DVSA's recruitment target of 450 additional examiners represents a new announcement or restates existing targets from September 2024
- Raises concerns that without changes to pay scales or organisational culture, DVSA recruitment and retention of examiners will remain problematic
- Questions lack of progress on upgrading DVSA's booking system, described as at end-of-life in July 2023, and requests timescale for new system introduction
- Requests details on measures to prevent resale of test appointments, fee review timeline, consultation timescales on rebooking delays, and expanded reach of 'Ready to Pass?' campaign
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ruth Cadbury MP, Lilian Greenwood MP, Transport Committee, Department for Transport, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union), Loveday Ryder
Notable line
“We acknowledge the steps already taken, but note that there has been modest sustained impact on waiting times.”
Key Quotes
“… this is a longstanding problem, and whilst we recognise that this cannot be immediately rectified, the current situation needs to be tackled with urgency.”
“… we are concerned that new or more radical ideas will be needed to bring about a meaningful difference.”
“The ability to drive enables many opportunities for both work and education, particularly for younger people. Providing candidates with access to driving tests in a timely manner directly from DVSA and not third parties is an ambition that we hope can be achieved as soon as possible.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗