§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will take steps to make driving tests more difficult and increase the safety aspects of the test. [55333]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 13 May 2002]: Our "Road Safety Strategy" commits us to keep the driving test up to date. Since 1999, we have added 10 minutes more general driving to the practical car driving test so candidates can be assessed driving on higher-speed dual carriageways and rural roads wherever possible. Also, candidates who commit more than 15 less serious driving faults, as well as those who commit serious faults, fail the driving test.
519WLater this year we plan to introduce a moving-image hazard perception element to the theory test. This should mean that new drivers develop better skills in anticipation and reading the road.
We have also recently published our "Introducing a more structured approach to learning to drive" consultation paper. Although this does not discuss possible changes to the content of the driving test it does, however, include discussion about extending the learning period, the use of training logs and the introduction of probationary plates for new drivers.