Keep death off the roads – don’t let the Tories privatise driving tests
![The government is looking at “other models of service delivery” [Image: PA].](https://voxpoliticalonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/160517-Learner-driver-ripping-up-her-L-plate.jpg)
The government is looking at “other models of service delivery” [Image: PA].
This idea to find “alternative models of service delivery” for the driving test is a certain route to a country full of drivers who passed their test courtesy of a backhander to a private instructor.
Why should we even have to contemplate the prospect of that?
Of course, the current system is in trouble because Tories love to de-fund services they want to privatise, making it easier to soften up public attitudes to the sell-off.
We’re seeing it in the NHS, for example.
There is nothing wrong with either system that getting rid of the Conservatives won’t cure.
Driving tests could be privatised by the Tories under new proposals to reform the motoring services agencies.
Last night the move was attacked by a union leader who warned it could be “disastrous” for learner drivers and road safety.
A strategy paper called “safe, secure, sustainable” … from the Department for Transport states that all car tests are delivered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
It says: ”We are exploring whether other models of service delivery might offer a better service to road user, either as an alternative to the current arrangements or to complement them, including involving the private sector in delivery.”
A driving theory test is £23 and the driving test costs £62 with a higher rate of £75 for evenings, bank holidays and weekends.
Learner drivers are facing delays of more than 10 weeks because of a shortage of examiners.
In March 2010 there were 1,780 driving examiners, but by March 2015, there were 1,490.
Mark Serwortka, general secretary of the civil servants’ PCS union, said: “This is a classic tale of Tory austerity, cutting staff then wondering why there are delays.
“But worse, they then claim things could be better under a private company whose motive would be profit.
“We think this would have disastrous consequences for learners and ultimately for road safety.”
Source: Tories could privatise driving tests – and union warns road safety would suffer – Mirror Online
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Ain’t privatisation wonderful! Privatised prison service in meltdown, Noprth Yorks Education system spends £70,000,000 a year on supply teahers ontained through private agencies. I supposed the shareholders are doing OK, though.
And no doubt increased fees, lower paid examiners with lower perks and benefits = unhappy bunnies on the front line. Same method of privatisation as NHS and
other public services, severe cut backs on staff and funds, whilst lying to the public that they are investing more and more, and lo crap service needs privatisation…..
who just happens to be waiting in the wings = increased donation to those nice Cons. If the Government had the balls to deal with the inflation proofed pensions some civil servants enjoy and bring down to the national pension situation that private commercial industries have had to do then large amount of savings could be made.
What a load of crap
Most of the truck testing WAS privatised by the last Labour government (the most corrupt ever)
Oh really?
How strange that it is not mentioned in the government’s history of road safety, the Highway Code and the driving test, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/history-of-road-safety-and-the-driving-test/history-of-road-safety-the-highway-code-and-the-driving-test#development-and-timeline-of-british-driving-road-safety-and-driving-tests
Gordon can you please supply a reference for the LGV test being “privatised.”
Privatising driving tests is downright dangerous to the general public.
the driving test is already corrupt and allways has been the 42 percent pass rate which has to be maintained otherwise check test,s are mandatory for examinerer,s which makes them fail good drivers so that they stay within this band to avoid check tests.
I pay £115.00 for a week day test and £146.00 for a weekend test and have a ten week waiting list for re test ?
the dvsa are a joke and brown envelopes change hands on a regular basis due to the fact that they pay peanuts for examiners and get monkeys to conduct test.s
they are so desperate for examiners that they are fast tracking people through cardington and some examiners who can not drive an hgv and have had no experience are conducting test,s on vehicles that they can not drive ??????
the dvsa or deviouse as they have become known are a joke and have lost all confidence with training company,s and as far as I am concerned to sooner it is privatised the better
The dvsa are very happy to weild a big stick and dictate to their customers but are very reluctant to publicise that they have had examiners who have been disqualified from driving for drink driving and who have not declared this fact and have still turned up for work and conducted illegal testing of candidates and the fact is pass or fail the test was illegal but this has been swept under the carpet.
corruption at it,s worst ?
dvsa policy is that if you send an e mail it will be answered in ten days,,,,and not before if you are lucky this has become the standard and will not be answered sooner yet if they send you an e mail they expect an immediate answer otherwise they send reminders,,,,,, double standards ????
At last finally privatising the driving test! royal britannia, then hopefully can privatise the nhs as well.