The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) publication ‘Despatch’ carries an article celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Driving Test.
It states that introduction of the test in 1935 was radical at the time. With an initial 250 examiners they met test candidates at Car Parks as Test Centres didn’t exist. Nowadays 2000 examiners conduct up to seven tests a day.
Now hold a moment. let’s look at that comment from the DSA. In 1935 no test centres and testing in car parks…..
Let’s now look at the 2010 situation for Motorcycle Tests. The DSA say they have met their targets but in 2010 Motorcycle Training Schools are left ‘with no test centres’ and where do we do the test…oh yes in a car park! A very expensive car park no doubt. Ah! the Good Ole Days….
So whilst the DSA celebrate 75 years of ‘progress’ motorcycle schools continue to close down and for those that struggle on, are faced with travelling up to 200 miles round trip in some instances to find a test centre.
And as for getting a test at these non existent test centres! I called the DSA Booking Centre today and I was told that there were no motorcycle tests available for as far ahead as the DSA system would allow the operator to check. Progress? Oh they said there was a full programme just come up for tomorrow! How can you plan and prepare candidates for that kind of service.
So where have all the examiners gone. For South West Wales in the ‘good ole days’ there were examiners working at Cardiff, Bridgend, Merthyr, Newport, Cwmbran, Monmouth and part time at Llandrindod Wells. But now it is the norm to have just one conducting tests in Newport. Add in the fact that training schools from as far afield as Hereford are also trying to get tests slots in Newport and the situation quickly becomes a joke.
Backlog…What backlog.
So my message to Rosemary Thew, DSA Chief Executive is this. Happy Birthday to you and your test. Have your party, and then pull your finger out and sort out the mess that you, as Chief Executive, are totally responsible for.