"""Are you being serious? You can train a tester in a week?"

Yes why do you think I posted it? Just what standard do you require when you see the standards of driving after some pass the test The testing system goes back to the dark ages much like what a lot of the civil service does. If not experienced drivers then may be some professional driving instructors who seem to know what is required . I don't know why the paying public put up with it!

There has long been a sub-group of drivers who believe that once you've passed the test you can forget half of what you were taught. It has nothing to do with the standard of driving instruction, it's a cultural thing, particularly among petrolheads, boy racers and van drivers.

"""Are you being serious? You can train a tester in a week?"

Yes why do you think I posted it? Just what standard do you require when you see the standards of driving after some pass the test The testing system goes back to the dark ages much like what a lot of the civil service does. If not experienced drivers then may be some professional driving instructors who seem to know what is required . I don't know why the paying public put up with it!

I was hoping you were posting as a joke rather than a serious point - as your idea is ridiculous. We want to improve the standard of driving on the roads, not make passing easier and not even have properly tarined people to give out licences.

Is it time to privatise elements of the DVLA? It works for MoTs why not car driving tests? The MOT backlog cleared pretty quickly. A privatised testing regime could be more flexible to tackle the backlog with weekend working and part time examiners for example.

It might even be a more appealing environment for testers to work in. It can’t be great for morale seeing a never reducing backlog. A private company could also offer value add advanced courses, post test.

There may be objections on safety grounds but millions of existing non-government jobs are safety related. Proper controls and checks could ensure that safety was not compromised.

Edited by catsdad on 31/05/2022 at 11:17

My eldest son lives in the same North East Scotland town as me. He was quite late in even expressing an interest in driving, but by the time he did, covid was very much a part of our lives. He could get no theory tests locally, or even in Aberdeen (30 miles away), but did manage to get a booking in Elgin, nearly 70 miles away. Unfortunately he failed!. Desperate to get another booking that didn't involve a wait of several months, he managed to secure a test in Newcastle!. Went down on the train, and yes, he did pass.

As for the actual driving test, he booked an intensive driving course, the price of which included the test. This was done in October last year and he did pass first go (I believe he would have got at least one other try had he failed). But I got the impression that the company he did this through, get allocated a certain amount of test slots, which then get allocated to whoever is deemed ready.

Heard that tech companies with fast internet connections are booking all the places as they become available and selling them on at a premium.

DVLA May wish to step in to put an end to this

Nothing to do with the DVLA.

It's the DVSA -Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency- who are nothing to do with the DVLA.