§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Driving Standards Agency has taken to ensure that deaf candidates are not at a disadvantage when undertaking the practical part of the driving test. [32404]
§ Mr. NorrisThe DSA has well-established procedures to assist deaf or hard-of-hearing candidates to take the driving test. The test application form invites persons with special needs, such as hearing difficulties, to draw this to the attention of the booking office when making an appointment, and the booking office will arrange for more time to be allocated in which to conduct the test. This allows examiners extra time to explain the test procedures, either using printed materials or by the candidate lip-reading.