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MODERNISING THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING DRIVING TESTS -
A CONSULTATION PAPER

The DSA's latest proposals for changing the administrative arrangements for test booking are laid out in a consultation document. Here we summarise the key points for consultation

Draft Regulatory Impact Assessment
The Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) considers the implications of introducing a package of proposed changes to modernise and harmonise the arrangements for the booking and taking of thoery and practical driving tests taken by learner drivers and motorcycle riders.
The RIA also considers the implications of making changes to the qualifying arrangements for prospective ADIs wishing to join the statutory regulation scheme for professional car driving instructors, and to the qualifying tests for those wishing to join the non-statutory registration schemes for lorry driving instructors, and instructors specialising in providing training for company car and van drivers.
The purposes of the this RIA is to identify the costs which individual candidates and their trainers will incur in meeting the new requirements and the benefits that are likely to be gained. The costings, which are indicative at this stage, will be developed in the light of responses made to the consultation exercise about the proposed changes.The Consultation PaperThe consultation paper seeks comments about proposals to:
  • introduce a trainer booking facility for instructors to reserve appointments for car theory tests
  • reduce from 10 to 3 clear working days the minimum period of notice which candidates must give to cancel or re-arrange a practical test appointment without loss of fee
  • reduce to one clear working day the minimum notification period for supplying candidate/vehicle details for tests within the trainer booking facility
  • count Saturday as a working day (a) for the purposes of the minimum wait before unsuccessful theory or practical test candidates may re-attempt the test; (b) for the purposes of the minimum period of notice for a candidate to cancel or re-arrange a theory or practical test without forfeiture; (c) for the purposes of the notification period for supplying candidate/vehicle details in the trainer booking facility
  • make more rigorous, whilst simplifying, the photographic ID requirement at theory and practical tests by candidates presenting a photocard driving licence
  • improve the security arrangements for persons acting as translators at theory tests
  • enhance the safety requirements for vehicles used for car-plus-trailer, lorry and bus tests
  • introduce an express provision covering the presence of a member of DSA's quality control team supervising an examiner conducting an ADI practical qualifying test or a check test
  • allow more flexibility in the driving experience requirement for those accompanying learners driving lorries and buses
  • allow persons with a physical disability to supervise learners driving lorries or buses and vehicle-trailer combinations where this does not present any road safety risk
  • allow theory test invigilators and driving examiners to seize licences where fraud is suspected
  • update the candidate's signatory requirements on the documentation at the practical test.
Comments are invited on any of the points raised in the paper, including the Draft Regulatory Impact Assessment, and should be received by 3 September 2004. A copy of the paper and reply form can be found on the DSA website at www.dsa.gov.uk
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