There are new reports that driving test examiners are suffering “bullying” to drive down test waiting lists.

According to a report by Sky News, driving test managers are telling examiners to be lenient with learners to reduce the backlog of driving tests.

It comes as waiting times remain at record levels despite the DVSA’s efforts to increase the number of test slots and examiners available.

Pressure

Bosses at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have also been accused of encouraging examiners to conduct driving tests in unroadworthy cars, sometimes without valid MOTs, owned by those taking tests.

Managers are said to use a tool that charts different test routes to identify those with low test pass rates.

These are then avoided for tests to raise centre pass rates.

Some HGV examiners have also reported being told to remove more complex manoeuvres to increase their chance of passing.

This was all part of evidence given to parliament’s transport committee looking into driving test waiting times.

 

 

Third parties

The block booking of tests by unofficial websites was also raised as a major issue.

Examiners say unscrupulous characters are using people’s licence numbers without their knowledge to book tests and then charging people up to £600 – instead of the standard £62.

Driving tests were suspended during COVID, resulting in a backlog.

Evidence from the PCS given to the transport committee said: “PCS has received a number of contacts from driving examiners who have felt pressured and bullied by managers to increase test pass rates.”

They also stated that morale in the service is at rock bottom with huge pressure being placed on examiners.

So far, the complaints to the union have concerned centres in the North.

However, the examiners believe the ongoing backlog and political pressure will undoubtedly cause the same policies to move nationally.

Unfair test pressures

Lyndsey Marchant, the PCS’s industrial officer, told Sky News: “We’re hearing reports of a new focus on people who are deemed to have ‘too low pass rates’.

“Some are reporting to us they’ve been told they need to get their pass rate up or they’ll start coming down a disciplinary route.

“This is unprecedented and of extreme concern for us because the DVSA is the regulatory body, they regulate people passing tests who are of a fit level to drive.”

Independence

As a result, the PCS is calling for a separation in the DVSA of those who assesses how well examiners are doing and those trying to get the backlog down.

Currently, the same body, the DVSA, is responsible for both, which the PCS says is a conflict of interest.

The union is also calling for the end to third-party providers being allowed to sell driving test slots.

They believe this is exacerbating problems and costing the public unduly.

 

 

Working to improve

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We have zero tolerance for bullying and harassment, and we expect DVSA to properly investigate any allegations of misconduct.

“We are also working with the DVSA to bring forward measures to reduce driving test waiting times.

“In the last year alone, DVSA have provided almost two million tests in the past financial year alone and have deployed enhanced bot protection to clamp down on candidates being overcharged for tests.”

A DVSA spokesman said: “Road safety is our absolute priority. Our valued and committed examiners are professionals who maintain the highest standards. We have robust systems in place to ensure all tests are conducted fairly and safely, including automatic checks on vehicle roadworthiness.

“DVSA takes complaints seriously and investigates any allegations that standards are not being adhered to. We have a robust policy to protect whistleblowers and DVSA encourages those with any concerns to bring them to our attention.”

Read the full article on Sky News here.