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Driving Examiner Strikes and How it Will Affect You
Mar 31 2022 10:52AM
If you’re learning to drive, you probably know all about the upcoming changes to the driving test. If not, click here read our previous blog post on the changes.
The changes include; increasing the independent part of the driving test from 10 minutes to 20 minutes, following sat-nav directions, the format of the ‘show me, tell me’ and reversing manoeuvres being replaced with new ones. These changes aim to prepare learner drivers for a “lifetime of safe driving” said Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) chief executive Gareth Llewellyn.
However, one of these changes is causing uproar in the driving examiner community. The new manoeuvre which requires learners to pull up on the opposite side of the road, reverse two car lengths and then re-join traffic, is not going down as well.
The reason that this manoeuvre is being scrutinised is because it apparently contradicts rule 239 in the Highway Code, which states that: “If you have to stop on the roadside: Do not park facing against the traffic flow”.
We took to Twitter to ask our driving instructor followers to see what they thought of the controversy.
It appears that most of our followers thought that the manoeuvre was necessary as opposed to dangerous; however driving instructor Antony Cove has launched an online petition demanding that it be removed from the driving test which gained support from 2,300 people.
Driving Examiner Strikes
The disputes over the changes have been linked to driving examiner strikes which are to go ahead on the 4th and 5th of December 2017.
The strike will involve around 2,000 examiners around the UK, which could leave thousands of learners facing delays and even cancellations of their driving tests.
We know that learner drivers have enough on their plates, so here’s some advice from the DVSA for those who have driving test during the strikes.
What to do on The Day
You have two options if your driving test falls on the 4th or 5th of December. You can turn up for your driving test as planned or reschedule your test appointment at a later date. Remember, not all driving examiners are part of the union that’s striking and even if they are, they may not choose to go on strike, so keep that in mind on the day.
If Your Driving Test is Cancelled
If you can’t take your driving test because of the strike action, you don’t have to contact the DVSA to re-book. They will contact you with a new test appointment within 5-10 working days.
Out of Pocket Expenses
If you’ve turned up to your driving test and it’s cancelled, you can claim pocket expenses (for things such as travel costs). However, if you don’t turn up on the day, you won’t be able to claim expenses.
Theory Tests
Theory tests will not be affected by the strike action and will be taking place as planned!
For more information about the strikes, visit the official DVSA website.
Even though not everyone agrees with the new driving test changes, the DVSA has confirmed that the changes will still be active come December 4th, remember to practice those new manoeuvres!
To find out more about private practice as a learner, click here.
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