§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the waiting time for a practical car driving test in Carlisle; and if he will make a statement; [91442]
(2) what is the target waiting time for a practical car driving test set by the Driving Standards Agency. [91443]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 19 July 1999]: The current waiting time for driving tests is nine weeks in Carlisle. The Driving Standards Agency has brought in two extra examiners to help reduce the waiting time locally.
The Agency's service targets for test delivery are that the national average waiting time will not exceed six weeks, and that appointments will be available within 10 weeks at 99 per cent. of permanent driving test centres.