Driving Tests (Hansard, 18 January 1999)

§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors were used by the Driving Standards Agency to determine acceptable distances for customers to travel to other driving test centres following the closure of their local facility. [65351]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
We consider what would be reasonable distances for customers to travel to take their test, based on information from customer surveys, analyses of the postcodes of test candidates, and in the light of experience gained from establishing the new network of driving theory tests centres. In general, candidates should not have to travel further than 7 miles in administrative districts with a population density of 1,250 or more persons per sq. k, 30 miles in districts with a population density of fewer than 100 persons per sq. k, and 20 miles elsewhere.

§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors have resulted in changes in the criteria for the closure of driving test centres over the past 10 years. [65355]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
The criteria of operational suitability, cost efficiency and a safe environment for staff and customers have remained unchanged during the period. However, the fall in demand for driving tests during the 1990s has resulted in a need to rationalise the estate to reduce overcapacity, which would otherwise be a burden upon costs and therefore test fees. As part of this process, we have established guidelines for the maximum a candidate should have to travel to a test centre: 7 miles in administrative districts with a population density of 1,250 or more persons per sq. k, 30 miles in districts with a population density of fewer than 100 persons per sq. k, and 20 miles elsewhere.

§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the consultative process prior to closure of driving test centres is used in all cases. [65350]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
Yes, except when we have to close a test centre temporarily or at short notice, owing to health and safety, or operational reasons. In such cases, consultation before closure may not be possible. The Driving Standards Agency gives as much notice as possible to interested parties about a closure and the alternative arrangements that are being made.

§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what savings have resulted from the closure of driving test centres in each year since the inception of the Driving Standards Agency; and what future savings resulting from closures of driving test centres have been planned for. [65356]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
The Driving Standards Agency estimates that, since the start of the 1993 financial year, savings in rent and rates payments of £700,000 have accumulated as a result of closures. Figures from before then are not available. There has also been over £1 million of capital receipts from the sale of freehold properties.
300W

§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors have contributed to falls in demand for(a) practical and (b) theory driving tests in each of the regions, with particular reference to the effect of the introduction of the theory test on demand; what assessment the Driving Standards Agency has made of future changes in demand for theory and practical tests; and what steps will be taken to meet changes in demand. [65352]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
The key factor underlying the number of candidates coming forward for a driving test is the number of young persons becoming eligible to obtain a driving licence. 54 per cent. of theory test candidates and 55 per cent. of practical test candidates are aged under 20 years.
Overall test demand is also strongly influenced by the pass rate as this affects the number of retests being taken by unsuccessful candidates. The national average pass rate for car theory tests is currently 59 per cent. and 47 per cent. for car practical tests.
The theory test has added another step to the learning to drive process, though it has probably not deterred people altogether. Applications for practical tests reflect the staged-testing process and also a recent fall in the theory test pass rate.
Demand for the practical test may temporarily increase in the first months of this year as candidates try to pass before the introduction of the longer practical test in the Spring, with an offsetting decrease afterwards, but in the longer term returning to recent levels.
No special regional factors have been identified.
The Driving Standards Agency has introduced more flexible staffing arrangements to cope with fluctuations in demand.