Question reference: S6W-01383
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 12 July 2021
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Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 22 July 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Department for Transport regarding the action it is taking to address the backlog of people waiting to sit their (a) theory and (b) practical driving tests in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer
The UK government`s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is responsible for the delivery of driving tests in Scotland. However, Transport Scotland meets regularly with the DVSA to explore ways in the delivery of driving tests could be expedited to ensure that waiting times to access a driving test are minimised as much as possible across Scotland. During our recent engagement, the DVSA confirmed that they have increased the number of practical tests being delivered each day and are also recruiting additional driving test examiners to further increase the number of tests that they can deliver including at weekends. Following the recent changes to indoor physical distancing rules in Scotland, announced by the First Minister on 13 July, Transport Scotland has worked with the DVSA to ensure that the number of driving theory tests being delivered in Scotland will be increased in line with the revised rules. As a result, an additional 4,500 driving theory tests will be available to book in Scotland between 19 July to 3 September.