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Learn and Live - December 1994
The proposed changes to the Road Traffic Act 1988 appear to fall into 2 categories, some of which are obviously simple procedural alterations, while others could have implications for road safety.
Learn and Live would not benefit financially from any of the proposed changes; our concern is solely with the road safety implications and the message that it sends to both learner drivers and those required to retest.
Our response follows the order of the paper itself.
2a: Abolishing the requirement for unsuccessful car and motorcycle test candidates to have a minimum of one month for a retest:
Learn and Live would be very concerned to see unsuccessful candidates allowed to apply for an immediate retest.
The system should remain as it is, as the level of inconvenience under the present system is minimal, given the importance of ensuring as safe a newly-qualified driver as possible.
While sympathetic towards a candidate's natural desire to obtain a test certificate as quickly as possible, if a test could be retaken in a matter of days, then the purpose of the test would be devalued. This assumes that the main purpose in requiring a driving test is to ensure the safety of all road-users.
The "training strategy" of the majority of candidates is normally to get through the test as quickly and cheaply as possible. Allowing an immediate retest will only devalue the test in the eyes of those who drive illegally.
2b: Simplified retesting regime for a disqualified driver:
This is a sensible alteration to remove an anomaly. Learn and Live agrees with this proposal.
2c: Enabling a broad range of expertise to be involved in driving theory tuition:
Learn and Live has no objection in theory to this proposal providing any change would be worded to ensure that there would be no opportunity for abuse of the system.
In the light of Learn and Live's previous involvement in obtaining legislation to restrict the supervision of learners to those drivers over 21 and with at least 3 years' driving experience, we would be extremely concerned if the proposed changes allowed any watering down of the current regulations relating to the practical driving instruction.
2d: Extended driving tests:
Learn and Live is concerned at the implications of this proposal.
On the assumption that persons required to take an extended driving test do so following a serious offence and could be a danger to others, Learn and Live questions the advisability of allowing them to be in charge of other vehicles without taking the appropriate extended retest.
If the object of the retest is the prevention of possible road accidents, then the system must ensure that the driver is fully competent in all situations.
Learn and Live appreciates the possible financial and administrative advantages resulting from these proposals, but we strongly urge that the road safety implications should be paramount.
In the interests of Road Safety, Learn and Live would urge the Driving Standards Agency to ensure drivers are informed of any changes by sufficient levels of publicity
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