Driving Test under Threat as DVSA Staff Quit

Book Theory Test Today blogger investigates what commentators have called the driving test ‘time bomb’.

Only recently, the Book Theory Test Today blogger brought you the news that theory test centres across the UK were facing staff shortages. In particular, there was a shortage of Welsh speaking personnel.

However, it appears the crisis is worse than we thought! The Book Theory Test Today blogger says: “Following the merger between the Driving Standards Agency and the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency in April, forming the DVSA (Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency), a total of 37 staff have quit the agency citing Tory government pay changes and job cuts as their motives for leaving.”

The UK now faces a bottleneck that looks set to blow as delays and cancellations increase due to the number of examiners quitting the agency.

The Book Theory Test Today blogger says: “Merging the DSA and VOSA have so far proven to be a disaster, with employees of the crisis hit DVSA leaving at a rate of more than one a week. We’re talking key staff vital to the agency and this is troubling given that the agency was only formed in April.”

Pay cuts & job cuts

A combination of pay cuts, job cuts and low staff morale, orchestrated by the Tory-led Coalition, has been cited by critics as the reason behind the mass exodus.

The Book Theory Test Today blogger says: “Shadow transport ministers within the Labour government fear that the DVSA is on the verge of ‘crashing’. At present the DVSA employs 4,600 staff, but a chronic shortage means theory tests and practical driving exams are facing delay or cancellation, meaning serious problems for learner drivers.”

It’s certainly no joke; the DVSA is in crisis and learner candidates thinking about taking a theory test or practical exam face anxious times ahead.

In a statement from Mary Creagh, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, she said: “Incompetent government ministers have plunged test centres into crisis, and learner drivers who have spent time and money on lessons now face delays to their tests.”

She added: “Resignations and examiner shortages at the new ‘Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency’ have meant a ticking time bomb as waits for tests get longer. After this summer’s passport office debacle and the crashing of the new vehicle tax website this is another reminder that the Tories can’t be trusted with key services for motorists.”

The Book Theory Test Today blogger says: “At present the outlook for the DVSA is not pleasant. They’re already experiencing shortfalls in staff numbers with the DfT’s own figures showing that, in March of this year, their target of having 1,704 examiners in place fell short by 60, with just 1,644 in post.”

But, a DVSA spokesperson has played down the crisis, saying: “DVSA employs over 4,000 people and has had just 37 resignations since April, of which nine were driving examiners. We are confident this will have no impact on driving test waiting times.”

Worried about your tests date? Contact Book Theory Test Today via our website – www.booktheorytesttoday.com

Book Theory Test Today offers an intermediary service assisting clients with booking a UK driving theory test, or practical test, at test centres across the nation. The service also supplies resources to help you prepare for your driving theory test – Ready to take your theory test? Book your theory test online today…        

Tags: UK driving law

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 at 11:05 pm and is filed under UK Driving Law. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.