HC Deb 09 December 1998 vol 322 cc193-4W
Mr. Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he takes to ensure that those qualifying as driving instructors will be equipped in most cases to meet the standards later operating in their check-tests; and if he will introduce an appeals system for those who fail their check-tests. [63072]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The standards established when passing the qualifying examinations are the same as those needed subsequently to pass the periodic check-tests. Advice and assistance is available to instructors at any time from local supervising examiners. Also, the system of check-tests is operated in an educational rather than a punitive way. Following an unsatisfactory check-test, an examiner will offer to discuss performance, so the instructor can consider what action is needed, possibly involving re-training, before a further check-test takes place. We have no plans currently to introduce an appeals system to review the examiner's judgment where a check-test is failed. It would be difficult for an independent adjudicator to pass judgment on a text without having been present.

The Registrar seeks to remove the instructor's certificate only after a third consecutive unsatisfactory performance. A statutory mechanism already does exist to protect any instructor who wishes to appeal against the Registrar's decision to take removal action.

Mr. Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many driving instructors who have been removed from registration during the last four years following check-test failures have then sought re-qualification by taking the appropriate examinations; how many of these have been successful; and if he will make a statement. [63075]

Ms Glenda Jackson

In the last four years, 254 instructors have been removed from the Register of Approved Driving Instructors following check-test failure. But information about how many have subsequently sought re-qualification, and how many have been successful, is not held in a retrievable form.