The Government’s proposal to offer partial refunds to students who sail through their test first time has been rejected by instructors.

First touted back in November, the proposed scheme would see part of the £62 fee returned to students who pass their test on the first attempt. But according to the Driving Instructors Association, 76% of its instructors don’t want the refund scheme to be introduced. A multitude of reasons were given by ADIs with the main concern being “a few pounds cash back will not make a difference” and that “at the moment it seems that [the government] is proposing changes for the sake of change”.

Asked whether the refund proposal would encourage students to prepare more thoroughly for their tests, again the answer was resounding ‘no’ with 63% of instructors stating it wouldn’t make any difference with many stating that pupils should already be working hard to prepare for their test and should only consider taking one once they were fully prepared.

The minister has announced this as ‘radical’ development. The only radical development in the testing regime would have been the introduction of a graduated drivers licence, but this has been rejected despite a large body of evidence from the UK and abroad that it would make a significant change to the crash statistics for new young drivers.”

– ADI feedback on the proposal for refundable test.

The proposal was one of several issues the DIA surveyed its members about. Others included:

– Whether the motoring services were fit for purpose with 61% of ADIs saying no, stating that two key issues were understaffed test centres and the lengthy waiting times for the practical test.

– Whether students should be allowed to be pay extra to fast track their test with 84% of instructors stating that they felt the proposal would offer an unfair advantage to those who could afford to pay while discriminating against those who couldn’t.

– Whether outsourcing driving tests to a body outside of the DVSA would improve service delivery with 52% of ADIs stating it wasn’t a good idea.

When asked what could be done to improve services, instructors were adamant – more test centres and examiners are required.

Image © Got Credit