WIREDGOV

Youngsters get extra time on driving consultation

DRIVING STANDARDS AGENCY News Release (DSA 34/08) issued by The Government News Network on 6 August 2008

The consultation period on Learning to Drive - which considers possible changes to the way new drivers are trained and tested - has been extended by an extra 30 days and will now conclude on Monday, October 6.

Launched on May 7, 2008, by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, the consultation has been extended to allow extra time for participation by young people, especially those in education, at universities, colleges and schools.

The consultation is being conducted by the Driving Standards Agency and DSA chief executive, Rosemary Thew explained: "We have had good turnouts with strong attendance at events from those involved in learner driver training and other road safety professionals.

"However, one of our main target audiences are the younger generation and a mainstay of this consultation is about better driver education at an earlier stage and how we can help learners develop into safe and responsible drivers."

"The information obtained from this consultation will be used to help reform and re-shape our national driving test. This is an important process and that is why we are extending the consultation period to reach out to and attract greater participation from younger audiences."

The DSA consultation is already backed by motor racing star David Coulthard who is urging road users to have their views heard on proposals for improved driver training and testing. David wants road users to speak to the DSA during the five-month nationwide consultation.

He commented: "One in five deaths on British roads involves newly-qualified drivers. I was appalled to hear that the statistics are so high. I know how much young people enjoy the freedom that driving brings, but it is also a huge responsibility that must be taken seriously.

"Changing the way that people are taught to drive, and making the test more real, can only be of benefit. The Government has set out proposals to change this system - and now it's up to you to have your say. We all use our roads in one way or another, so it is important you register your view before the consultation closes."

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is keen to look at the way drivers are trained and tested with the objective of ensuring newly-qualified drivers possess the safety skills needed to drive on Britain's busy roads.

During the consultation the DSA aims to gather opinions on a range of proposals, including;

* Changes to the theory test

* Making the practical test more realistic

* Providing a pre driver qualification in road safety

* Introducing a student workbook

* Providing more information to help choose a driving instructor

* Further options for learning and qualifications

Visit http://www.dsa.gov.uk/learning to drive to take part in the consultation and let us have your views.

Timing:

* Consultation on the proposals runs for 20 weeks up to October 6.

* Some trialing for new elements in the test is already in progress, and work is advanced on drawing up a new syllabus.

* No changes will be made to the test until Ministers have fully considered the results of the consultation and any proposed changes have been assessed.

* The Driving Standards Agency plan that young people in Scotland will be able to start studying for a foundation qualification in safe road use from Autumn 2008. Other pieces of the programme - such as changes to driving tests - could be in place within two or three years.

Proposals for changing the test include:

* Updating the theory test to do more to assess a student's understanding of safe driving, using new types of questions such as case studies

* Considering whether the theory test question bank should continue to be published.

* Introducing independent driving to the practical test when the candidate is asked to set their own route for part of the test and 'situational judgement' when the candidate is asked to explain what they did in a situation and why.

* Revising the number of manoeuvers in the practical test and the way they are carried out

* Splitting the theory and practical tests into modules, to enable learners to pass elements of the test as they learn and better feedback at the end of the test, whether successful or not.

Background:

The Department for Transport announced plans in February 2007 to consult on a fundamental reform of driver training and testing as part of the second review of its road safety strategy.

The review promised a new framework for driver education, training, testing and lifelong learning, including developing and refreshing skills, remedial training, work-related driving and support for drivers at various stages of their driving career to develop and maintain safe driving for life.

Key facts about learning to drive (all for Great Britain)

* Two million people take a car driving test every year.

* The pass rate is 44%, so the average learner takes more than two tests before passing.

750,000 people qualify for a license every year - three quarters of these are under the age of 25.

* Current average cost of a lesson is approximately £21 - up to £28 in London. The average learner has 52 hours of lessons and spends £1,500 learning to drive.

* Current fees for the driving test (for a car) are £30 for the theory test (which includes the hazard perception test); £56.50 for the practical test (£67 if you want an evening or weekend).

* A newly qualified male driver faces an insurance premium from £1,200; and a female driver of same age faces a premium from £800.

* The current car driving test is in two parts:

1. the theory test - a multiple-choice answer knowledge assessment (since 1996); and

2. a computer screen-based hazard perception test (since 2002).

The practical test - of general driving on the road and standard manoeuvers - the three-point turn, reversing round a corner, and emergency stop. This part of the test also includes an eye sight test, and a 'show me-tell me' test of knowledge of the car (since 2003)

Main points in reform proposals

The Government proposes to reform the way people learn to drive, and the way they are tested. The proposed changes fall into 4 main areas:

1. An improved learning process, so that candidates are better prepared for the test and beyond, without necessarily increasing the costs of learning to drive

2. Improved and broader driving tests that give a more realistic assessment of whether someone is ready to drive on their own

3. Further options for learning and qualifications to help develop well-rounded drivers and

4. Better information about instructors and improved instructor training.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency * of the Department for Transport. See http://www.dsa.gov.uk

2. The DSA's vision is "Safe Driving for Life" with an overall mission to contribute towards a Government target of achieving a 40% reduction in riders and drivers killed or seriously injured in road accidents, in the age group up to 24 years, by 2010.

3. Current information on road casualties is available from the Department for Transport website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

4. The Agency's aim is to promote road safety through setting standards for drivers, riders and trainers, testing drivers and riders fairly and efficiently, maintaining the registers of Approved Driving Instructors; Large Goods Vehicle Instructors; Fleet Trainers; Driving Instructor Trainers and Post Test Motorcycle Trainers; supervising Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) for learner motorcyclists; and driver education and the provision of learning resources.

5. DSA is a trading fund * with an expected turnover of around £199 million for the year 2008/9, fully funded by fee income and revenue from its activities.

6. DSA employs over 2,700 staff, of which some 2,000 are driving examiners based at over 400 test centres across mainland Great Britain. In 2007/2008 the Agency conducted 1.8 million practical tests for car drivers, over 95,000 vocational tests and 94,000 motorcycle rider tests. A total of 1.7 million theory tests were carried out at 158 centres. At the end of the year there were around 43,600 people on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors.

7. DSA was 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.uk/drivingtest

* Executive agency:

An executive agency is semi-detached from its parent department and manages its own budget with freedom from ad hoc, day-to-day intervention and much of central, government-wide regulation. They are run under the organisation and direction of a Chief Executive recruited through open competition. An executive agency has accountability for the performance of specific operational tasks as a corporate unit, including focused performance targets set by the parent department and personal accountability of the chief executive for performance.

* Trading Fund:

A trading fund is a means of financing trading activities undertaken by Government that would previously have been financed by annual appropriation from Parliament. A trading fund permits the establishment of a self-accounting unit that remains under the control and management of Ministers and accountable to Parliament through Ministers, but has greater freedom to manage its financial affairs. Effectively that means the trading fund body can use its income to settle its liabilities and retain year-end cash balances.

Establishing the trading fund does not alter the Agency's constitutional position and it remains part of the Department for Transport.