§ Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What rules govern the eligibility and approval of people with disabilities qualifying to become driving instructors.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)My Lords, any disabled driver who can demonstrate to a professionally competent assessor that he can take control of a motor car from the passenger seat in the event of an emergency may apply to become an approved driving instructor, subject to the same eligibility rules as an able-bodied person.
Lord Campbell of CroyMy Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that welcome reply, which represents progress from the previous position. Will he confirm that records show that disabled drivers tend to be more careful and have fewer accidents than able-bodied people? While safety must come first, is there any reason why skilled disabled people should not become proficient instructors in appropriate vehicles and, in due course, official examiners for driving tests?
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, I certainly feel that this change in the rules represents progress. It allows disabled people quite properly to become driving instructors. Unfortunately, record6s are not held in a form which shows whether or not a driver has been disabled. However, it 1498 seems that disabled drivers particularly value the independence and mobility that a car gives them and therefore exercise very considerable care. As to my noble friend's latter question, provided that the procedures I described have been met there is no reason whatever why such a person should not be a good driving instructor and go on to a successful career.
As regards testing, there is unfortunately less possibility that a disabled person could conduct driving tests. People taking a driving test use their own vehicle or a driving school car. Those will nearly always be fitted with manual transmission and will not be adapted for use by the disabled. With those provisos, there has been real progress.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply and for the encouragement that he gives to disabled drivers. The noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy, is a very skilled operator of his vehicle. I have never seen him come into collision or near collision with anything. Whether he wishes to become an instructor, I know not.
§ Viscount GoschenMy Lords, clearly the skills of my noble friend, not only in the driving arena but in many other fields, are without question. My noble friend is right to draw attention to the abilities of disabled people in this respect. It is clear that they can go on to provide valuable service in the area of driving instruction.