Driving Tests To Face Strike Action Disruption
Learner drivers may soon find it even harder to book practical driving tests due to upcoming strike action…
Tests and Strike Action
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has warned learner drivers that upcoming strike action will affect testing centres throughout the country. Examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union intend to take strike action between December and January.
The strikes are part of a broad initiative concerning the likes of pensions, redundancy packages and remuneration. However, different regions of the country will be affected at different times.
As of now, it’s been noted that the North-East of England and Scotland will be affected from December 13-18. The North-West England and Yorkshire and the Humber from December 19-24. The East of England, East Midlands and West Midlands from December 28-31 and on January 3. Finally, London, south-east England, south-west England and Wales will face disruption from from January 4-10.
The DVSA has stated that it’ll publish more specific information, concerning precisely which testing centres will be affected, over the coming days.
Lengthy Waits
The strike action will make an already tough situation for prospective drivers even tougher. Driving tests have faced significant delays since the coronavirus pandemic; as both lessons and tests were halted as a part of social distancing and lockdown initiatives.
A driving test backlog spanning hundreds of thousands of people has now built up, and learners are facing extremely long waits to take their practicals. It’s caused some drivers to select dates that they aren’t ready for, simply out of a desire to get a slot.
It remains to be seen how long the disruption to driving tests will last for, but it’s likely to continue throughout a significant portion of 2023 and, unfortunately, beyond.
Self-Driving Cars: Most People Wouldn’t Feel Safe – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/self-driving-cars-most-people-wouldnt-feel-safe/
50,000 Driving Tests Taken By Learners With Five Fails Or More – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/50000-driving-tests-taken-by-learners-with-five-fails-or-more/
