Latest news with #DrivingTest
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Driving examiners given mental health support to cope with furious learners
Driving examiners are being offered mental health support to cope with angry learners forced to wait months for a test. One hundred 'mental health first aiders' have been trained to help relieve the 'pressures' on staff grappling with the issues in Britain's driving test system, which has seen waiting times reach a record high. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said the initiative was a 'particularly important' resource for staff during ' this challenging period '. However, the revelations prompted backlash from campaigners, who said the taxpayer-funded agency should focus on lowering waiting times first. The TaxPayers' Alliance called for the Government to abolish the quango and contract driving tests out to the private sector. Loveday Ryder, the chief executive of the DVSA, praised the mental health project as an 'important' resource for staff under pressure. In her introduction to the DVSA's annual report, she said: 'Our commitment to colleague wellbeing was reflected in the launch of our comprehensive mental health strategy, which included training over 100 mental health first aiders across the organisation. 'This initiative has been particularly important given the pressures our colleagues have faced while working to reduce waiting times and meet customer expectations.' Nick Bitel, the DVSA's non-executive chairman, also hailed the agency's environmental achievements, pointing out that it reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent since 2017-18. However, the report went on to confirm that the DVSA had missed its 'key target' to slash waiting times for practical tests, blaming a lack of examiners and rise in demand. The average wait time stood at around 22 weeks in March, up from 16 the previous year. The report said: 'We acknowledge, with regret, that these prolonged waiting times are negatively impacting our customers. 'This area of work is our number one priority.' 'The DVSA are a disgrace' As of February, only 14 centres had waiting times at or below seven weeks, which is the DVSA's nationwide target for the end of the year. Elliot Keck, the head of campaigns at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'The DVSA are a disgrace and bring shame to the whole of the public sector. 'They are completely unable to deliver their core objective, yet still have the gall to boast about their achievements on reducing emissions and improving staff access to mental health services. 'Labour needs to be radical with this failing quango and at minimum should be completely clearing out senior management. Ideally they would be abolishing the body entirely and instead contracting out driving tests to the private sector.'
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Driving examiners facing verbal and physical abuse from learners
Driving test examiners have suffered 70 physical assaults in five years, according to new figures obtained by the BBC.A Freedom of Information request showed there were also 1,668 cases of verbal abuse recorded on staff across Great Britain between April 2020 and March cameras are now routinely worn to protect staff against abusive candidates, while the Driving Instructors Association (DIA), which carries out advanced tests for taxi and fleet drivers, no longer gives out its test results in Driving Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said it took a zero tolerance approach to physical and verbal assaults. Gary, who is not employed by the DVSA, has been an examiner for 20 years and conducts advanced tests for drivers of taxis, buses and said he heard of examiners being punched and chased across car parks."I've heard of a car chasing after an examiner, verbal abuse and people spat at, which is something I've experienced," he said."I was carrying out a test for someone who wanted to be a taxi driver, when I delivered the result and it was a failure, he became very abusive, got out of the car, faced up against me and followed me down the street."If I'd have reacted it could have escalated, it was a worrying experience." Examiners have previously told the BBC how some of them had even suffered death Brookfield, from the DIA, said she was aware of a number of alarming situations."Cases I've heard about include staff having a brick thrown through the window of a test centre by a disgruntled person who hadn't passed their test," she said."Some of our examiners faced verbal abuse and on one occasion an examiner was actually followed back to the hotel where they were staying and the candidate and their friends hung around that location, trying to intimidate the examiner." 'Protect our examiners' The DIA, which is based in Crawley, West Sussex, conducts advanced tests for many taxi and private hire drivers. However, due to verbal abuse it no longer gives out test results in person."We changed our policy on giving out test results, from giving the result on the day directly to the candidate, to giving the result by email 24 hours later," said Ms Brookfield."It's to protect our examiners and to deliver a uniformity of results and feedback in writing for the candidates." Ms Brookfield believed delays in getting a driving test could be affecting the Verify found in April that three quarters of the 319 driving test centres across Great Britain had hit the maximum average waiting time - of 24 weeks - to book a practical Brookfield said incidents were exacerbated because people were "angry they've had to wait so long to get a driving test and to get their licence"."When they fail they will have to wait even longer to get a re-test, so some of that frustration is bubbling over into physical and verbal assaults on examiners and that's just completely unacceptable," she said. 'Punched to the floor' Teresa Allen, a driving instructor of 17 years from Tonbridge, said she had heard of cases of both physical and verbal abuse against examiners."I have heard of examiners being punched to the floor which is just beyond the pale," she said."Verbal abuse is actually pretty common I believe." Ms Allen told BBC South East about a case where a learner driver had been abusive on a previous test."He then had to have two examiners on this one and when he didn't pass, he stopped the one in the back of the car from getting out, and as he was eventually removed and driven away by his accompanying driver, he was screaming and yelling," she said."Examiners are only doing their job and if they feel that a person has done something that's proven they're not quite ready to make good decisions themselves on the road, then they must fail them."However, she doesn't believe delays in securing driving test slots are fuelling these cases."I don't think abuse is directly linked to delays in accessing tests, although I do think that trying to get examiners and retain examiners must be getting more and more difficult," she added. The DVSA said learners who were abusive faced the possibility of having their record marked and restrictions placed on them for their next test. This could mean it will take longer for them to get a future test, as test centre managers may deem them enough of a risk that they need two examiners in the car as a safety precaution. In December, the DVSA said it was consulting on new proposals to increase the standard waiting time to book another test if candidates physically or verbally assault their driving examiner. A DVSA spokesperson said: "Although the majority of people are courteous, we employ a number of measures which seek to keep our examiners safe and shielded from abuse."Our message is clear – whatever has happened, don't take it out on our staff. If you do, we'll press for the strongest possible penalties."
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Uttarakhand introduces Automated Driving Test Tracks to enhance road safety
Uttarakhand introduces Automated Driving Test Tracks to enhance road safetySynopsis: The newly launched ADTTs, developed under the CSR initiative of Maruti Suzuki, are designed to evaluate driving skills for light motor vehicles (LMV) and two-wheelers, employing technology to remove human intervention from the testing process. Uttarakhand has taken a step towards safer roads with the inauguration of Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in Haridwar and Rishikesh by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, an initiative by Maruti Suzuki under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. It utilizes high-definition cameras and IT systems for transparent and efficient driver evaluations, aiming to ensure only skilled drivers obtain licenses and contribute to road safety in the state. The newly launched ADTTs are designed to evaluate driving skills for light motor vehicles (LMV) and two-wheelers, employing technology to remove human intervention from the testing process. These tracks complement an existing ADTT in Dehradun, which has been in operation since 2019. The ADTTs use high-definition cameras and integrated IT systems to assess driving skills. This automated system ensures a comprehensive, efficient, and transparent evaluation process for individuals seeking driving licenses. The evaluations are conducted in accordance with the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). The Dehradun ADTT was previously recognised by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand for Excellence and Good Governance in 2019-2020. Brijesh Kumar Sant (IAS), Secretary Transport, Uttarakhand Government, said 'Our association with Maruti Suzuki goes back to 2009, when the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research was established in Dehradun. With the comprehensive evaluation at ADTTs, we can ensure that only skilled drivers get a driving license. Another state-run road safety initiative where we work with Maruti Suzuki is refresher training for commercial drivers before Char Dham yatra (holy pilgrimage). I also compliment the Company for steering this training program, which helps prepare drivers for the yatra route.' Other CSR initiatives Maruti Suzuki also conducts refresher training for commercial drivers in Uttarakhand before the annual Char Dham Yatra, which prepares drivers for the challenging hilly terrains along the pilgrimage route. Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, mentioned 'We thank the Uttarakhand Government for their continued association with Maruti Suzuki. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is rapidly progressing. One of the key growth drivers for the state is tourism. Efficient and skilled drivers are needed to boost tourism and contribute to safer roads. Our Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) can play a vital role to achieve this goal by ensuring that only skilled and competent drivers receive a license through a 100 per cent computerised, transparent, and efficient testing process.' The refresher training programme is a prerequisite for the mandatory Green Card, which is required for all commercial drivers during the Char Dham Yatra. This year, the training programme aims to cover approximately 11,000 drivers at the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTRs).
