Social Distancing Guidelines Mean Scottish Learner Drivers Face 16-Week Wait for Theory Tests
Learner drivers in Scotland face a 16-week wait to sit a theory test due to the backlog caused by lockdowns and the continuation of strict social distancing guidelines at test centres (and across the country). English learners also face an average wait time of almost five weeks. BBC News has the story.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said its testing capacity was limited in Scotland as centres must ensure people observe 2m physical distancing.
South of the border only 1m physical distancing is required.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will look at the situation to see how quickly capacity can be increased.
Driving lessons resumed in Scotland on April 26th and practical driving tests restarted on May 6th, following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
At the time the U.K.-wide backlog was said to be more than 400,000.
The
pandemic[lockdown] has also had a knock-on effect on theory tests and the average wait in Scotland is now 16 weeks.This compares with 4.6 weeks in England and Wales.
One MSPs claims young people are missing out on jobs due to the backlog…
The DVSA said it did not keep records of whether people who live in Scotland are getting around the delays by crossing the border to sit their theory test.
But it added all candidates were reminded to observe local Covid restrictions.
The theory pass certificate is valid for two years, within which time a learner must pass their driving test or, failing that, resit their theory. The DVSA says this two-year period will not be extended, despite the learner backlog caused by lockdowns, because it is important that road safety knowledge remains fresh at the time of practical tests.
Nicola Sturgeon described the issues involved with delays as “complex and rarely straightforward… In certain environments, 2m physical distancing remains an important mitigation. However, the issue is important and we will continue to look at the situation to see how quickly we can increase capacity and get the backlogs down.”
Worth reading in full.
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First slot for the practical part of the driving test around here in the wild North is February 2022.
Does not compute -two metre spaces in a hall muzzled up but lessons and test right next to a muzzleoid.
Sturgeon says: ‘oh, is there a problem? Really? I don’t give a stuff.”
Essentially, yes.
Good
It wouldn’t be complex at all, Nicola Ceausescu, if you stopped being Mary Whitehouse in a kilt.
“It wouldn’t be complex at all, Nicola Ceausescu, if you stopped being”!
Fixed.
They want to discourage people from driving or travelling anywhere in the ‘new normal’.
A 67 year old friend of mine had his license removed for a year for health reasons. He was eligible to drive from May 1st this year but has been told it could be 6 months before his license is returned due to staff shortages relating to Covid working conditions. Young people can’t learn to drive and oldies can’t be put back on the road. Build Back Greener
‘Tisn’t working, then. Ask anybody who’s fought their way along a motorway recently.
Those witches in Macbeth – that’s Nicola. A bonsai witch.
Hecate on steroids.
I recently passed mine. Had to do a 300 mile round trip to Kendal so I was able to get a test.
Sturgeon doesn’t want anyone driving anyway so she is happy about this.
When I was in the test centre the lady behind the barrier said around 40% of their intake was Scots. When I was in there 10 folk were waiting and only two were from England.
Might have just been a busy day but could be an indication of something bigger. I believe Newcastle will be the same.