HC Deb 26 November 1992 vol 214 c748W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce into the driving test requirements for motorway driving and night driving.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

I have no such plans. Including motorway and night driving in a test would imply a multi-part test without clear evidence that the significant extra costs would be justified. But I shall be considering whether, in the light of the recent consultation exercise by the Driving Standards Agency, these topics should be tackled more thoroughly in the theoretical element of the test.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what substantive changes have been made to the requirements for the driving test since 1962.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Key changes have been—

  • the introduction in 1969 of a separate test for the drivers of heavy goods vehicles;
  • the introduction in 1985 of a separate test for drivers of coaches and buses;
  • the introduction in 1989 of a motorcycle test with the examiner accompanying the candidate;
  • the introduction in 1991 of a reverse-parking manoeuvre into the car driving test;
  • the introduction in 1992 of a double-length driving test for certain disqualified drivers.