Written questions by Maguire.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of motorcycle riders operating on learner plates beyond two years through repeated completion of Compulsory Basic Training.

Currently, to gain a full motorcycle licence, individuals’ must pass a theory test and both parts of the practical test. Both Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and theory certificates have a two-year validity, and if an individual has not passed their test within 2 years of taking the CBT & theory tests, they will have to start the process again.As part of the Department for Transport’s Road Safety Strategy, on 7 January the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) launched a consultation on motorcycle training, testing and licencing in Great Britain. The consultation will help inform a targeted review of the training, testing and licensing regime for motorcyclists with the aim of making changes to improve safety, modernise and simplify people’s access to motorcycling.As set out in the consultation, it is understood that a proportion of riders take CBT and don’t go on to take their theory and practical tests to gain a full motorcycle licence. Between March 2023 and March 2025 77,000 learner riders repeated their CBT course.One aim of the consultation is to determine if riders should be prevented from continually riding on a provisional licence. The consultation will close at 11:59pm on 31 March 2026.

What assessment her Department has made of whether the current motorcycle licensing framework provides sufficient incentives for riders to progress from learner status to a full motorcycle licence.

Currently, to gain a full motorcycle licence, individuals’ must pass a theory test and both parts of the practical test. Both Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and theory certificates have a two-year validity, and if an individual has not passed their test within 2 years of taking the CBT & theory tests, they will have to start the process again.As part of the Department for Transport’s Road Safety Strategy, on 7 January the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) launched a consultation on motorcycle training, testing and licencing in Great Britain. The consultation will help inform a targeted review of the training, testing and licensing regime for motorcyclists with the aim of making changes to improve safety, modernise and simplify people’s access to motorcycling.As set out in the consultation, it is understood that a proportion of riders take CBT and don’t go on to take their theory and practical tests to gain a full motorcycle licence. Between March 2023 and March 2025 77,000 learner riders repeated their CBT course.One aim of the consultation is to determine if riders should be prevented from continually riding on a provisional licence. The consultation will close at 11:59pm on 31 March 2026.

What evidence her Department has on the relationship between licence level (full motorcycle licence versus Compulsory Basic Training) and road safety outcomes for riders engaged in commercial delivery work.

The Department for Transport does not hold evidence on the relationship between licence level and road safety outcomes for riders engaged in commercial delivery work. Licence type is not part of the current STATS19 specification agreed by the Standing Committee on Road Injury Collision Statistics (SCRICS), which seeks to balance the value of the road collision data with the burdens of collecting the data. Driving licence information is likely to be held within police systems, including the CRASH system managed by the Department, but is not routinely extracted for statistical purposes beyond identifying whether a licence is full or provisional. On 7 January 2026 we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of the strategy the government has published a consultation on an ambitious package of reforms to modernise and improve the current training, testing and licensing regime for Category A moped and motorcycle licences in Great Britain. This consultation will help inform a targeted review of the training, testing and licensing regime. We will take account of both long-standing plans in the Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and proposals received from the motorcycle sector. As set out in the consultation, it is understood that a proportion of riders undertake Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) but don’t go on to take their theory and practical tests to gain a full motorcycle licence. Between March 2023 and March 2025 77,000 learner riders repeated their CBT course. One aim of the consultation is to determine if riders, including those engaged in commercial delivery work, should be prevented from continually riding on a provisional licence. The safety of anyone driving on our roads is a priority, and that includes those who ride for work. That is why we also announced in our new Road Safety Strategy that we will pilot a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter for businesses that require people to drive or ride for them. This includes the use of HGVs, Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), cars, motorcycles, e-cycles and cycles. The pilot will run for two years and will be monitored and fully evaluated. The aim of the Charter is to help employers to reduce work-related road risk and improve safety for all road users by promoting good practice, and to improve compliance with current legislation and guidance.

What plans her Department has to introduce legislation on driving licence requirements for motorcycle and moped delivery riders; and what timetable she envisages for bringing forward such legislation.

On 7 January 2026 we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. This includes a consultation on proposed reforms to the training, testing and licensing for motorcycles and mopeds. Further steps will be announced after the consultation closes on 31 March 2026.

If she will implement a mechanism for people to report delays and overcrowding on Great British Railway trains.

Great British Railways will have a duty to promote high standards of performance, and will be relentless in delivering for passengers, freight customers and taxpayers across the country. If passengers encounter any issues, they will be able to raise these with GBR in the first instance. The Passenger Watchdog will ensure all passengers have access to a fair and independent alternative dispute resolution service (the Rail Ombudsman) to resolve disputes with operators where passengers have been let down.For the first time, we have made station-specific performance information available to passengers. This shows reliability and punctuality at each station, rather than aggregated averages by operator or region. Providing this transparency allows the public to hold us to account and will help rebuild trust as we tackle the root causes of delays and cancellations.

When the Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy will be published.

The Department is working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the development of the Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy. Further details of which, including publication timeline, will be shared in due course.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of safe evening transport for women in (a) rural areas and (b) Langley Vale.

The Department for Transport is committed to making the transport network safer for everyone, including women and girls, whenever and wherever they are travelling. As part of the Government’s aims to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by half over the next decade, the Department has an ambitious, evidence-based programme of work to help tackle VAWG on transport. This includes measures in the Bus Services Act 2025 such as training on how to recognise and respond to incidents of criminal and antisocial behaviour (ASB).We know that women and girls are more likely than men to avoid travelling alone when it’s dark. The Department’s ‘Protected characteristics and public transport perceptions and safety’ research, published in 2023, also found that women were more concerned than men about the risk of violence regardless of the time of day. People living in rural areas were more likely to say they felt safe, albeit by a relatively small margin.We are continuing to build our evidence base to better understand the prevalence of VAWG and ASB across the transport network so we can better target interventions. In the meantime, the Department will continue to work across government and with partners, including the British Transport Police (BTP), the transport industry and local authorities to ensure that everyone feels and is safe when travelling. In relation to taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs), the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is seeking a power to set in regulations national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing. The power was approved by the House of Commons at Report Stage, and the Bill is now being considered by the House of Lords. If passed, this would enable government to set robust standards for licensing right across England, to keep women and girls and, indeed, all members of the public safe, wherever they live or travel.

What steps she is taking to help ensure the provision of safe transport for women and girls in rural areas in Surrey.

The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring everyone, including women and girls, is safe on the transport network, including those in rural areas. As part of the Government’s aims to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by half over the next decade, the Department has an ambitious, evidence-based programme of work to help tackle VAWG on transport. This includes measures in the Bus Services Act 2025 such as training on how to recognise and respond to incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour (ASB). The Department is working across government and with partners, including the British Transport Police (BTP), the transport industry and local authorities to ensure that everyone feels safe and is safe when travelling. BTP work closely with Govia Thameslink Railway and South Western Railway to ensure a joined-up approach to safe transport for women and girls in Surrey. They work with Train Operating Companies (TOCs) to promote their discreet 61016 text service, encouraging anyone feeling unsafe or vulnerable on the rail network to contact them directly and discreetly. Every report received builds a bigger picture which informs patrols and policing presence, and every day across the network, officers are present in uniform and plain clothes, looking out for offenders and acting as a visible deterrent. BTP also works with community organisations, private sector organisations and industry partners to raise awareness of VAWG, encourage reporting and receive feedback to improve our response.

What steps she is taking to help decarbonise refrigerated transport.

The Department for Transport continues to work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on an Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy, which includes transport refrigeration units (TRUs). This strategy will set out how off-road machinery can further decarbonise while maintaining competitiveness, attracting investment and supporting growth. To support this, we are reviewing the findings of a multi-year research project commissioned to ZEMO Partnership into the emissions from diesel-powered auxiliary engines, including from TRUs used on heavy goods vehicles. Alongside this, the Transport Industrial Commercial Refrigeration project, funded through the DESNZ Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, is expected to publish a roadmap that includes transport refrigeration in Spring 2026. The Department will review the roadmap and consider its implications.

What steps her Department is planning to take to support disabled people in accessing driving (a) lessons and (b) tests in the South East in the context of the closure of the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is committed to ensuring customers requiring support are always treated without discrimination.Whilst there is no requirement for people to disclose a disability to DVSA, to ensure that every customer is treated fairly, DVSA encourages disclosure so that reasonable adjustments can be made, as needed, at both the theory test and practical driving test.DVSA will consider and accommodate, where possible, a customer’s reasonable request for support. Depending on their requirements, evidence might be required for DVSA to assess the request thoroughly and ensure all appropriate measures are taken to provide the assistance necessary.Approved driving instructors are not directly employed by DVSA, so the agency has no control or input on what ADIs choose to teach or what they charge for their services.DVSA has previously worked with the Disabled Driving Instructors Association to assist learner drivers who are looking for ADIs who can accommodate disabilities and additional needs. Further information is available at: www.disabilitydrivinginstructors.com/find-an-instructor.

With reference to the forthcoming closure of the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People, what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) disabled people still feel supported in travelling by air and (b) the aviation sector can access information to assist disabled passengers.

The Department for Transport is working closely with the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People and other government departments to ensure disabled people can continue to access the mobility services they need. Aviation must be accessible for all. UK law entitles passengers to assistance from airports and airlines to help them to travel by air, with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ensuring compliance. To strengthen support and improve aviation accessibility, the Department established the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group, which published an independent report in July 2025. The report set out 19 recommendations across five key areas: training, passenger information and communications, mobility aid design and handling, non-visible impairments and tailored support. The Group is now focused on helping the industry implement these recommendations and will report annually to the Department on progress.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of banning on 5-axel 44 tonne volumetric concrete mixers on (a) UK manufacturers, (b) road miles, (c) road wear and (d) levels of pollution.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage.Some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, however, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.As part of its consideration of the evidence, the Department for Transport also assessed the potential environmental impacts in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 which requires Ministers of the Crown to have ‘due regard’ to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy.

If she will model the potential impact of (a) single 32 tonne drum mixers against (b) 38.4 tonne volumetric concrete mixers on bridges.

On 18 March 2025 the Department published a National Highways commissioned study on the load impacts of volumetric concrete mixers on bridges alongside the outcome of a call for evidence that ran in October-December 2023. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review The report compared the forces exerted by higher weight VCMs to the standard model used for assessing bridges and found the load effects from these VCMs to be up to 17% higher than those complying with weight limits. This would put significant strain on existing bridges. 32 tonne drum mixers operate within the assessment load models.

What assessment her Department has made on the potential impact of banning volumetric concrete mixers above 32 tonnes on levels of employment.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact on levels of employment. The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs) was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-reviewVCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) will end on 31 March 2028, after which VCMs must operate at the legal weight limits applicable to other heavy good vehicles. This is not a ban or change in policy.

What steps she is taking to decarbonise refrigerated transport.

The Department for Transport is working with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to develop an Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy, the scope of which includes transport refrigeration units (TRUs). This strategy will set out how off-road machinery can further decarbonise while maintaining competitiveness, attracting investment and supporting growth. To support this, we are currently reviewing the findings of a multi-year research project commissioned to ZEMO Partnership into the emissions from diesel-powered auxiliary engines, including from TRUs used on heavy goods vehicles.

What assessment she has made of the environmental benefits of decarbonising refrigerated transport.

Delivering greener transport is a priority for the Department for Transport and why we are developing an Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy with the Departments for Energy Security and Net Zero and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Diesel-powered transport refrigeration units (TRUs) remain a significant source of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Clean solutions will remove these harmful emissions and improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.

How many MOT centres in England in (a) 2022-2023, (b)2023-2024 and (c)2024-2025 assessed for exhaust noise as per section 8.1.1. of the MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles.

It is a mandatory requirement for all MOT centres in England to assess for exhaust noise when conducting an MOT. During the emissions test the tester is required to use their judgement to assess the exhaust noise, either as part of the emissions test or by raising the engine speed to around 2,500rpm or half the maximum engine speed. The numbers below show how many active MOT testing stations there are in England, who have carried out MOTs. This would include being assessed for exhaust noise. 2022 to 2023 there were 22,701 active MOT testing stations testing car, private bus and light commercial vehicles (classes 3,4,5 and 7);2023 to 2024 there were 22,526 active MOT testing stations for classes 3,4,5 and 7 and;2024 to 2025 there were 22,448 active MOT testing stations for classes 3,4,5 and 7 vehicles. The numbers below show how many vehicles passed their MOT in (a) 2022-2023 (b) 2023-2024 and (c) 2024-2025. This would include being assessed for exhaust noise. 2022 to 2023 there were 30,843,492 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7;2023 to 2024 there were 31,084,949 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7 and;2024 to 2025 there were 31,615,467 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7 vehicles.

How many vehicles which passed their MOT in (a) 2022-2023, (b) 2023-2024 and (c) 2024-2025 were assessed for exhaust noise as per section 8.1.1. of the MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles.

It is a mandatory requirement for all MOT centres in England to assess for exhaust noise when conducting an MOT. During the emissions test the tester is required to use their judgement to assess the exhaust noise, either as part of the emissions test or by raising the engine speed to around 2,500rpm or half the maximum engine speed. The numbers below show how many active MOT testing stations there are in England, who have carried out MOTs. This would include being assessed for exhaust noise. 2022 to 2023 there were 22,701 active MOT testing stations testing car, private bus and light commercial vehicles (classes 3,4,5 and 7);2023 to 2024 there were 22,526 active MOT testing stations for classes 3,4,5 and 7 and;2024 to 2025 there were 22,448 active MOT testing stations for classes 3,4,5 and 7 vehicles. The numbers below show how many vehicles passed their MOT in (a) 2022-2023 (b) 2023-2024 and (c) 2024-2025. This would include being assessed for exhaust noise. 2022 to 2023 there were 30,843,492 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7;2023 to 2024 there were 31,084,949 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7 and;2024 to 2025 there were 31,615,467 normal tests carried out for classes 4, 5 and 7 vehicles.

How many refrigerator vehicles are currently used in the UK.

The Department for Transport does not hold this information.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of updating section 8.1.1 of her Department's guidance entitled MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, updated on 11 August 2025, to make it mandatory for MOT test centres to assess for exhaust noise.

Excessive vehicle noise can be a serious disruption to people’s lives. This is why it is included in the MOT as an inspection of exhaust silencers and noise deafening material as well as a subjective assessment of excessive noise upon revving the vehicle. The MOT tester will fail the vehicle if they deem the exhaust noise is unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle in average condition. The Department and the DVSA included a question about noise testing using decibel meters in a 2023 call for evidence about updating the MOT. Responses highlighted both the benefits of identifying excessively noisy vehicles and the difficulty of testing with decibel meters in a noisy garage environment.