§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of time taken to process an application for(a) a driver's licence, cars, (b) an HGV licence, (c) a PSV licence, (d) a provisional driving licence and (e) a driving test.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe average processing times are as follows:
- —An ordinary driving licence (cars)—15 working days.
- —An IGV (formerly known as HGV) licence—16 working days.
- —A PCV (formerly known as PSV Bus) licence—16 working days.
- —A taxi driver licence (initial)—43 working days.
- (renewal)—6 working days.
- —A provisional driver licence—15 working days.
- —A driving test—43 working days.
Applications for LGV and PCV licences which have to be referred to the medical authorities or the police for further advice on average take twice as long.
Figures for taxi driver licences and driving tests were provided by the chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average monthly number of(a) drivers licences, (b) HGV licences, (c) PSV licences, (d) provisional driving licences and (e) driving test applications processed by the Vehicle Licensing Authority in the most recent year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe information requested is as follows (based on 1991–92 financial year):
Number Driver licences 6,900 LGV (formerly known as HGV) licences 910 PCV (formerly known as PSV Bus) licences 910 Taxi driver licences 123 Provisional driver licences 2,900 Driving test applications 4,175 Figures for taxi driver licences and driving test applications were provided by the chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency.