UK driving tests hit with bias claims against ethnic minorities
Figures released by the DVSA, following a freedom of information request, indicate that UK driving tests are racially biased against ethnic minorities. According to the data, pass rates among ethnic minority candidates are significantly lower than those of white candidates. The figures have been described as ‘depressing’.
Racial equality groups labelled the pass rates for UK driving tests among people of colour as ‘depressing’, with DVSA figures showing that black women had the lowest driving test pass percentage (32%) compared to white men, who had the highest (56%). The figures cover 2008 to 2017.
According to racial equality groups, the figures indicate that ‘racism is at play’, and while UK driving tests should be objective, it’s clear that subjective rules are being applied. Meanwhile, racial equality groups say that UK driving tests are bias in favour of white men, who also tend to be the examiners.
Female driving examiners
DVSA figures show that just 21% of UK driving examiners are women, and the percentage of ethnic minority examiners – both men and women – is even lower.
Mark Winn, the DVSA’s chief driving examiner, issued a statement quashing claims that UK driving tests are biased against ethnic minorities. He said: “All candidates are assessed to the same level and the result of their test is entirely dependent on their performance on the day.”
“The DVSA constantly monitors its examiners’ performance, so they conduct and assess driving tests in accordance with the standards set. This includes the supervision of live tests,” Winn added.
No evidence that ethnicity affects pass rate
Neil Greig, the policy and research director of the charity IAM RoadSmart, said that there’s ‘no evidence’ to suggest that race or ethnicity affects a candidate’s driving skills, but was not able to explain why white people are more likely to pass UK driving tests than ethnic minority candidates.
According to the data, the pattern of more white people passing than ethnic minority candidates was consistent across most test centres in the UK. White people were more likely to pass UK driving tests at 347 out of 350 test centres in 2016 – 17.
The data indicates that the biggest gap is in Basingstoke, where 49% of white candidates pass, compared to 27% of ethnic minority candidates. Basingstoke was followed by Barnsley, York and Worthing.
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