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news
l_plate.jpgCuts could lead to dumbed down driving tests says union
Documents leaked to the Public and Commercial Services Union reveal, claims the union, that the government is considering closing driving test centres across the country and, claims the union, privatising the driving test process by using "delegated examiners" from private companies to conduct tests.
In a meeting last November, the minutes of which the PCSU has made available for download from its website the transport minister, Mike Penning told four MPs that he was considering "whether [driving tests] could be provided more efficiently at a lower cost; and whether they could be undertaken by other organisations inside or outside of the public sector”.
Amongst venues being considered as driving test centres by the Driving Standards Agency are supermarkets and community centres. In another document DSA officials examine the possibility of outsourcing the testing process itself to private companies – the union says that private testers have a 20 per cent higher pass rate than DSA examiners.
Another revelation in the leaked documents is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the governments decision to go ahead with the closure of driving test centres earmarked for closure by the previous Labour administration – despite an election promise to reconsider such cuts.
Commenting on the documents PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “These new documents shed more light on the plans being hatched behind closed doors by senior managers and ministers. “Worryingly, it is the latest evidence of the creeping privatisation of the agency’s work, which puts ideology before road safety.”
road.cc's founder and first editor, nowadays to be found riding a spreadsheet. Tony's journey in cycling media started in 1997 as production editor and then deputy editor of Total Bike, acting editor of Total Mountain Bike and then seven years as editor of Cycling Plus. He launched his first cycling website - the Cycling Plus Forum at the turn of the century. In 2006 he left C+ to head up the launch team for Bike Radar which he edited until 2008, when he co-launched the multi-award winning road.cc - finally handing on the reins in 2021 to Jack Sexty. His favourite ride is his ‘commute’ - which he does most days inc weekends and he’s been cycle-commuting since 1994. His favourite bikes are titanium and have disc brakes, though he'd like to own a carbon bike one day.
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6 comments
I would have thought in the case of having less money, the price of driving test would have simply risen. Better still a multi part, more difficult driving test, the currrent one is too simple for the roads today. A pre car cycling section would be ideal (you can teach use of the road without needing to drive).
we're doomed i tell you doomed
It's not only the tests that need revamped its the tuition!!! the other day in good driving and cycling condititions a small vehicle overtook me, it not only passed me it brushed against me despite the oncoming lane being void of traffic!! it gets better... it was a learner driver under tuition
i couldnt believe it!
what hope have other road users got if the tuition given is substandard? And like 37monkey my test was something similar and if my memory serves me right no mention was made of vunerable road users!!! I for one would be quite happy to pedal round a test route if it meant that the propective driver was to be observed dealing with other road users that are not encased in a steel two ton box!!!
Hey bassjunkieuk, you're not wrong! I completely agree with what you say about driving test, it should be more like the bike tests.
I know it's not the same now but when I took my test, I reversed parked a nissan micra, drove it around for 20mins and they gave me my licence, at the age of 18 with no additional training I could legally drive a 7.5t lorry with a trailer! I'm only in my thirty's now, I wonder how many large vans and 7.5t trucks are piloted by people with the same training I had?
Wouldn't it be nice if all learner drivers (or all road users for that point...) had to do cycle training? I'm sure once drivers realize how vulnerable you are on a bicycle they *may* show us some more respect.
The system in place for motorbikes with the CBT where a new rider can't just hop straight onto a 1000cc superbike is great. They either need to have additional training or wait a set period after passing and using a smaller bike first.
At present, money no object, there is no way of stopping a driver who passes their test in the morning jumping straight into a Lambo in the afternoon and driving it legally.
Exactly - this will just mean even more stupid drivers out there than there are at present.
The Highway Code and the driving test itself should contain much more info about cyclists and to give them more consideration - which right now is zilch - thus avoiding more needless deaths.
God help us - the standard of driving is poor enough at the moment.