In an attempt to drive up dismal national pass rates while boosting long term road safety, the Government is proposing giving learners cashback on their driving test fee if they pass first time.
With practical test pass rates currently standing at a worryingly low 21%, the consultation proposes that part of the £62 fee be returned to students who pass first time. But what is causing the low pass rates in the first place? The consultation says that: “there is anecdotal evidence that some learner drivers are booking a practical test date well in advance, at the start of their lessons, and then taking the test at that time whether or not they are ready. It is in the interests of candidates, instructors and examiners that candidates take the practical test only once they are properly prepared.”
To help students further, the Government is also considering introducing a more workable and pragmatic approach to taking the practical driving test including an improved online booking service, a wider range of test centres to book at and more flexibility for test slots including at evenings and weekends to tackle excessive waiting times; the latter is intended to stop learners from booking their tests too far in advance to beat excessive waiting times but only to find themselves unprepared once the test rolls round.
“We support measures that will encourage learner drivers to get the experience they need to pass their test first time with flying colours, rather than barely scraping through or failing and having to repeat the process a few months down the road at yet more expense.”
– Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation on the new proposal.
With a first time pass requiring an average of 45 hours of training to pass – at an average cost of £1,000 – it’s obvious that something needs to change but do these proposals go far enough? If you want to offer your views on the proposals, head here; the consultation ends on January 8th, 2016.
For more info about the consultation, view the following video:
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