(2) how many delegated examiners there are working for the Driving Standards Agency; and how many delegated examiners were tested by the Driving Standards Agency in 2007;
(3) how many PSV/HGV tests were carried out by (a) delegated and (b) Driving Standards Agency examiners in 2007; and how many and what percentage of these resulted in the candidate passing in each category.
The information requested is in the following table.
Driving examiners employed by the Driving Standards Agency Driving examiners employed by fire and police authorities and bus and coach operators Number of driving examiners 11,989 2265 PCV tests conducted 10,357 9,701 PCV tests passed 5,109 5,781 Percentage pass rate 49.3 59.5 LGV tests conducted 73,725 1,611 LGV tests passed 33,826 1,230 Percentage pass rate 45.9 76.3 Number of supervised driving tests3 13,815 — Number of examiners receiving supervisory visits — 445 1 At 31 January 2008. 2 Only 209 examiners conducted a test in 2007. 3 Car, lorry, motorcycle and bus practical driving tests. Each examiner has several supervisory tests during a 12-month period. 4 More than one supervised driving test may be conducted during the visit to each driving examiner and each supervised examiner may have received visits on more than one occasion.
From 1 July 2008, all driving examiners employed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and all driving examiners employed by fire and police authorities and bus and coach operators will be subject to a programme of a minimum six driving tests per year where the examiners performance will be observed and assessed by a more senior member of staff. There will be the provision for additional supervision where performance indicates a requirement.
Unsatisfactory performance will result in the examiner undergoing remedial training. In the case of continued unsatisfactory performance, the authority to conduct tests may be withdrawn (in line with DSA procedures).
Additionally, driving examiners, whether employed by DSA or the other organisations will receive independent quality assurance visits from members of the chief driving examiner’s team.