HC Deb 14 January 1999 vol 323 cc238-44W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the income was from practical driving tests in(a) 1990 toh 30 June 1996, (b) 1 July 1996 to 31 December 1996 and (c) 1 January 1997 to date; and what it has been for theory tests since 1 July 1996. [65345]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The figures requested are as follows:

£ million
Period Practical Test Fee Income
1 April 1990–30 June 1996 298.8
1 July 1996–31 December 1996 32.8
1 January 1997–30 November 1998 86.5

Period Tests conducted Tests passed Pass rate (per cent.) Failure rate (per cent.)
1 January 1990–30 June 1996 10,257,744 5,019,145 48.93 51.07
1 July 1996–31 December 1996 855,037 381,263 44.59 55.41
1 January 1997–30 November 19981 2,038,122 950,479 46.64 53.36
1Figures for November 1998 are the latest currently available

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what effect the closure of driving test centres has had on waiting times for driving test appointments. [65343]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Test centre closures have not affected average waiting times for driving test appointments as the overall capacity to conduct tests has not been affected. The driving examiners from the closed centres have been re-deployed to adjoining centres.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people who have taken the theory test and passed have not applied to take a practical driving test; and what steps the DSA has taken to ensure that those who have passed the theory test apply for a practical driving test within two years. [65341]

Ms Glenda Jackson

We estimate that there are around 300,000 people who have passed the theory test but do not currently have an appointment for a practical test.

Theory test pass certificates have always shown the date of test pass and stated that the certificate has a two year life. The expiry date on certificates have been given greater prominence since August 1998. The Driving Standards Agency has been sending reminder letters on a quarterly basis to theory test pass holders since last spring. reminders were sent in April to 80,000 people whose theory test pass certificates were over 14 months old, and shortly afterwards to 5,000 people whose certificates were 10 to 13 months old. the Agency has since written in August and November to everybody holding a certificate then over 14 months. The Agency will continue to issue reminder letters until all extant certificates are those carrying a prominent expiry date.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the DSA has to reduce the period within which candidates who have passed a theory test are expected to take a practical test. [65344]

Figures for November 1998 are the latest currently available.

The income from theory test fees from 1 July 1996 to 30 November 1998 was £48.6m.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many practical driving tests were conducted in the periods(a) 1990 to 30 June 1996, (b) 1 July 1996 to 31 December 1996 and (c) 1 January 1997 to date; and what percentages were (i) passes and (ii) failures in each period. [65339]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The figures my hon. Friend requested are shown in the table.

Ms Glenda Jackson

Theory test pass certificates are valid for two years. This provides an ample period for a successful theory test candidate to prepare for the practical driving test. We have no current proposals to reduce that period, but will keep the matter under review.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reductions in examiner staffing levels have occurred following driving test centre closures; what effect future closures will have on examiner staffing levels; and if redundancies are planned. [65362]

Ms Glenda Jackson

No driving examiner redundancies have occurred as a result of test centre closures. Staff were transferred to adjoining test centres to cover the expected increase in demand there. No redundancies are planned, in fact the Driving Standards Agency plans to recruit 85 new examiners during this year.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what service improvements have resulted from savings acquired from the closure of driving test centres; and what future improvements are anticipated. [65357]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Restructuring the test centre estate has helped the Driving Standards Agency to provide a fair and consistent standard of test. Savings have helped fund improvements to the remainder of the estate and to administrative systems, including the new driving test booking system that becomes operational later this year. There has been a series of improvements in customer service targets and new customer service features introduced. These were recognised by the Charter Mark award last year. Savings from future closures will be used to help pay for service improvements in the same way.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the consultative process used by the Driving Standards Agency in areas affected by the closures of driving test centres. [65358]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Driving Standards Agency normally consults interested parties locally, such as the Member of Parliament, the local authority and instructors when considering whether to close a driving test centre. A public consultation meeting is usually held, and all the results of the consultation process are considered before a final decision is taken.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the current waiting times for driving test appointments in each region. [65361]

Ms Glenda Jackson

At 8 January 1999, the average waiting time for a practical car driving test in each of the Driving Standards Agency's operational areas was:

  • London & South East: 6.28 weeks
  • Midlands & Eastern: 4.16 weeks
  • Wales & Western: 3.63 weeks
  • Northern: 5.19 weeks
  • Scotland: 4.81 weeks.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps will be taken by the Driving Standards Agency to monitor demand in areas where test centre closures have occurred. [65353]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Following closure of a driving test centre, we monitor the pattern of demand at adjoining centres to ensure it is in line with forecasts. Should demand at these centres give cause for concern, steps are taken to ensure that additional examiners are allocated.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further plans there are for the closure of driving test centres over the next five years apart from those already identified for closure in the next two years; and if he will list the centres affected. [65360]

Ms Glenda Jackson

We do not have a planned list of driving test centre closures over the next five years. We regularly review requirements against demand for driving tests, operational suitability, and the need to provide accommodation that offers a safe working environment for examiners and candidates at a reasonable cost. Should a centre fall short of these criteria its continued viability is considered, each case being considered on its merits with due regard to local factors.

We are currently consulting about the future of the following car driving test centres: Didsbury (Manchester); Washwood Heath (Birmingham); Newport (Monmouthshire); Minehead (Somerset); and Holyhead Road (Coventry).

Consultation has also been completed about the proposed closure of the following centres, but no final decisions have yet been reached: Hartlepool, Rochdale, Cheltenham, Oswestry (Shropshire), Sevenoaks, and Tunbridge Wells, and the Ore (Hastings) lorry and bus driving test centre.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many driving theory tests have been conducted since 1 July 1996, and how many and what percentage of these were(a) passes and (b) failures. [65340]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The figures requested are given in the tables. For cars and motorcycles they are shown separately for the periods 1 July 1996–30 September 1996 and 1 October 1996–30 November 1998 to reflect the change in the pass mark:

1 July 1996 to 30 September 1996 Pass mark 26/35 1 October 1996 to 30 November 1998 Pass mark 30/35
Car Motorcycle Car Motorcycle
Passed 310,765 2,022 1,596,315 13,276
Percentage pass 85.5 92.1 62.9 55.9
Failed 52,823 173 943,718 10,478
Percentage fail 14.5 7.9 37.1 44.1

The lorry and bus theory tests were introduced on 1 January 1997, the figures requested in respect of these tests are as follows:

1 January 1997 to 30 November 1998 Pass mark 21/25
LGV PCV
Passed 42,005 15,990
Percentage pass 88.4 87.8
Failed 5,496 2,215
Percentage fail 11.6 12.2

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what effect the proposed extended driving test will have on waiting times for customers. [65363]

Ms Glenda Jackson

There may be a surge in demand ahead of the new, longer test which could increase waiting times by one to two weeks above the target for the next three months. The Driving Standards Agency will seek to minimise the effects of any surge by ensuring that additional examiners are deployed where necessary.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research is being carried out to identify reasons for falls in demand for theory and practical driving tests; and what results are available. [65365]

Ms Glenda Jackson

When in April 1998 the Driving Standards Agency wrote reminder letters to 85,000 theory test pass certificate holders, around 10,000 were asked why they had not completed the test process. About 1,700 responded. The majority had attempted the practical test and had failed but intended to keep trying. Nearly a quarter had delayed learning for financial or health reasons.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many driving test centres have been closed since the inception of the Driving Standards Agency; in what parts of the country such closures have occurred; and what reasons for closure were given in each case. [65359]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Since the launch of the Driving Standards Agency in April 1990, 61 driving test centres have been closed without direct replacement in the immediate vicinity, in the following areas:

Number
London & South East 11
Midlands & Eastern 15
Wales & Western 14
Northern 12
Scotland 9
Total 61

In addition, Edinburgh (Newington) and Wealdstone (North London) have been agreed for closure later this month.

Closures were caused by routes becoming operationally unsuitable, the expiry of property leases, a rationalisation of centres in the area, for health and safety reasons, or on the grounds of operational costs. The effort involved in documenting the reason, or reasons, for each closure would be disproportionate.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the books on the theory driving test were produced in quick succession; and what steps were taken by the DSA to defray the costs of those customers who bought faulty material. [65372]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The question bank for each type of theory test is revised annually to reflect changes in legislation and other developments. The Driving Standards Agency publishes books containing the question banks before the adoption of new questions so that candidates can prepare for their test.

The edition of the car and motorcycle theory test book published in June 1998 contained a number of errors. A revised edition was issued in August 1998. Candidates who had purchased the June edition were not disadvantaged. Test papers containing questions where a candidate may have been misled by the June edition were withdrawn. Where such questions appeared in test papers before they were withdrawn, incorrect answers were ignored in the marking. Amendment slips were inserted in all unsold copies of that edition, and sent to theory test candidates with their appointment letter.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what increases in the cost of the driving test are being proposed. [65364]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The fee for driving theory test appointments made from 6 April 1999 will be £15.50, an increase of 50 pence on the current fee.

The fees for practical driving tests taken from 4 May 1999 will be as follows:

£
Category of test Proposed new fee Current fee Increase
Weekday Tests
Car 36.75 32.75 4.00
Motorcycle 45.00 39.00 6.00

£
Category of test Proposed new fee Current fee Increase
Saturday/Weekday Evening Tests
Car 46.00 43.00 3.00
Motorcycle 55.00 52.00 3.00

The fees for minor categories, such as tractor driving tests, will remain the same as for car tests. Moped tests will be charged the same as motorcycle tests. The fees for lorry and bus tests will remain unaltered at £73.50 for weekday tests and £92.00 for Saturday and weekday evening tests.