WIREDGOV

Driving up theory test pass marks for road safety

DRIVING STANDARDS AGENCY News Release (DSA 22/06) issued by The Government News Network on 14 August 2007

Learner drivers and motorcyclists will face more theory test questions from early September when the pass marks are driven up to improve road safety.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) says the increase in the number of multiple choice questions in the tests will help broaden candidates' knowledge and lead to higher standards.

Jill Lewis, DSA's Head of Lifelong Learning said: "It is important that candidates prepare thoroughly for their theory tests in the same way they would any other exam. Increasing the number of questions means that the test ensures comprehensive coverage of the whole syllabus."

At the moment both car and motorcycle bike tests involve 35 questions and candidates must get 30 right. But from 3 September the number of questions will rise to 50 with a pass score of 43. The time allowed for the multiple choice part of the theory tests will increase to 57 minutes and fees will also increase.

The updated version of the Official theory test book and CD Rom is now available in shops, or by clicking on the official bookstore button on the DSA website (http://www.dsa.gov.uk).

All car and motorcycle candidates calling or going online to book theory tests which will fall either on or after 3 September will be made aware of the increased length and cost of the test. Candidates phoning the call centre will be able to hear a recorded message whilst waiting to be connected and the booking confirmation letter which goes out to candidates will be updated to explain these changes.

Notes to Editors
1. The fee will increase from £21.50 to £28.50 for theory tests taken by car and motorcycle candidates on or after 3 September. To book a theory test, candidates should visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtest or call 0870 0101 372; (Minicom: 0870 01 06 372; Welsh Speakers: 0870 01 00 372).

2. Further details about the changes to the theory test will also be available through the following web pages: http://www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtest

3. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport.

4. Information on road casualties is available on the Department for Transport website http://www.dft.gov.uk

5. The Agency's aim is to promote road safety through improving driving standards, testing drivers and riders fairly and efficiently, maintaining the registers of Approved Driving Instructors and Large Goods Vehicle Instructors and supervising basic training for learner motorcyclists.

6. DSA is a trading fund with turnover of around £152.6 million for the year 2006/7, fully funded by fee income and revenue from its activities.

7. DSA employs 2657 (2,585 full time equivalent), of which some 2,020 are driving examiners (1945 full time equivalent) based at over 432 test centres across mainland Great Britain. In 2006/2007 the Agency conducted 1.8 million practical tests for car drivers, 89,000 vocational tests and 78,000 motorcycle rider tests. A total of 1.5 million theory tests were carried out at 158 centres. At the end of the year there were 39,001 people on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors.

8. DSA is one of the first Government Agencies to introduce an 'online' booking service. Candidates can book and manage their theory and practical test appointments on line at http://www.direct.gov/motoring.