HC Deb 21 July 2004 vol 424 cc454-5 7.49 pm
David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op)

I rise to present the petition of the Derby and District Driving Instructors Association, which overlaps my constituency. Approved driving instructors throughout the country are alarmed by the Driving Standards Agency's proposal to introduce multiple-choice questions and hazard perception tests for all currently registered approved driving instructors. They believe that to require an ADI to undertake a hazard perception test is at best ridiculous and at worst insulting, because if instructors were not on top of hazard perception skills, they would not survive the average working day. They say that the DSA has discussed continuous professional development over the past two years, and they believe that that is the preferable way forward rather than the threat to remove them from the register if they fail a computer game. They point out that removal from the register is always possible under the fit and proper clause.

The petition states: To the House of Commons, the petition of 60 driving instructors and others in and around North-West Leicestershire declares that we the undersigned formally protest at the decision of the Driving Standards Agency to impose on qualified driving instructors a requirement to pass a further theory exam—including a hazard perception test—and to threaten to remove the livelihoods of those not successful within three attempts. The Petitioners— who are led by Pamela A. Davies of 18 Iveagh close, Measham— therefore request that the House of Commons do reject the decision aforementioned of the DSA. And the petitioners remain etc.

To lie upon the Table.