HC Deb 08 January 2004 vol 416 cc430-1W
Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the average waiting time for a driving test; and if he will make a statement. [145331]

Mr. Jamieson

The average waiting time for a practical car test in November (the last month for which there is full data) was eight to seven weeks, against an annual national target of six weeks.

Figures for the rest of this financial year are:

Month Waiting time (weeks)
April 8.8
May 9.4
June 9.3
July 9.8
August 11
September 10.1
October 9.5

During this period of high demand for practical driving tests the Driving Standards Agency, the executive agency of the Department responsible for conducting driving tests, received some 220 written representations about the waiting time.

Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing compulsory hazard perception tests for existing approved driving instructors. [145335]

Mr. Jamieson

The consultation paper issued by the Driving Standards Agency in April 2003 contained a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment of the costs of introducing hazard perception testing into the standards supervision arrangements for existing approved driving instructors. The letter issued by the Agency in December that announced our decision contained an Assessment which had been amended in the light of consultation.

The direct costs to instructors who prepared thoroughly for the new assessment should be minimal. No fee will be charged for the first attempt at the test and training and information support have been supplied free. An instructor will have up to 12 months to take the test at a nationwide network of centres. An instructor who was unsuccessful on the first attempt would be charged £50 for a re-test.

Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the responses to the consultation paper, "Driving Test Fees and Other Matters". [145336]

Mr. Jamieson

The Driving Standards Agency published a response to consultation letter on 5 December 2003. This summarised the 82 responses received. Copies of the letter were deposited in the House Libraries.

Where those who responded indicated that they had no objection to their response being made publicly available, the Agency will on request supply copies of individual responses.