Written questions by Khan.

How many driving tests have been cancelled in Birmingham Perry Barr constituency due to examiner (a) sickness and (b) annual leave in each of the last five years.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending the period for which driving theory test certificates are valid.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.

How many eligible (a) managers and (b) administrative staff will be deployed as driving test examiners in (i) Birmingham and (ii) Birmingham (Kingstanding) Test Centre through the DVSA Additional Testing Award Scheme.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.

With reference to Q44 of the oral evidence given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Transport Select Committee on 4 December 2024, HC 437, what the average waiting time for driving tests is in Birmingham Perry Barr constituency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.

How many additional driving test examiner trainers will be deployed in (a) Birmingham and (b) Birmingham (Kingstanding) Test Centre through the DVSA Additional Testing Award Scheme.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.

What estimate her Department has made of the cost to consumers from (a) fraud, (b) unfair trading and (c) unsafe goods in the secondary driving test market in each of the last five years.

It is not illegal to resell a practical driving test appointment. But to ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system. On the 18 December 2024, DVSA launched a call for evidence, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, including any potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April 2025 the Secretary of State for Transport announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025.

How many driving test examiners have (a) been onboarded and (b) left the DVSA in Birmingham Perry Barr constituency in each of the last five years.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.

If she will have discussions with Northern Rail on its use of private prosecutions.

We expect Northern to ensure their policy on fare evasion and prosecutions is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed the operator to review the details of the prosecution cases in question urgently.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of fare charging arrangements on morning peak rail tickets for (a) 16-25 and (b) 26-30 Railcards.

Both the 16-25 and 26-30 Railcards are subject to a £12 minimum fare during the morning peak. Changes to the terms and conditions of Railcards are for industry to propose and would need to balance the benefits to certain groups against the impacts on taxpayers.I am aware of the recent coverage of a number of prosecutions undertaken by one rail operator.We expect operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed an urgent review of the cases in question, with a view to resolving them. Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.

What information her Department holds on how many private prosecutions have been undertaken by the Operator of Last Resort against people using Anytime Singles at peak times with 16-25 railcards in each of the last three years.

DfT Operator of Last Resort Holdings Limited has not brought any private prosecutions in the last three years as prosecutions are carried out by its subsidiary train companies. We expect operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed an urgent review of the cases in question, with a view to resolving them. Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of rail ticketing arrangements under which Anytime Singles have been offered for sale at peak times to people with 16-25 railcards.

I am aware of the recent coverage of a number of prosecutions undertaken by one rail operator. We expect operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed an urgent review of the cases in question, with a view to resolving them. Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.