Information and guidance given to examiners when candidates are late for a driving test
Published 22 August 2013
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2013
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/candidates-arriving-late-for-a-driving-test/information-and-guidance-given-to-examiners-when-candidates-are-late-for-a-driving-test
This is Freedom of Information request IA/0067012.
1. Request 1
I would like a full copy of your appeals procedure.
2. Response
Information about our complaints procedure can be found on our website at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driving-standards-agency/about/complaints-procedure. This information is therefore exempt from release under section 21 (information accessible by other means) of FoIA. A copy of this exemption is attached at Annex A.
3. Request 2
How many tests have gone ahead despite persons being late.
4. Response
This information is not held. The only data we would capture is that the test has been conducted and the result of the test.
5. Request 3
Training and guidance given to examiners on cancelling appointments.
6. Response
There is no recorded information about training given during the induction of new examiners but the subject of late arrivals is discussed. Below is an extract of a central operations branch guidance note dated 17 March 1999 issued to all examiners about candidates arriving late to test:
CANDIDATES ARRIVING LATE FOR TEST - wef 4 MAY
With the introduction of the longer test from 4 May, there is a risk that candidates arriving late for one test will have a “knock on” effect on subsequent tests. Whilst our primary concern is that late candidates should not be allowed to reduce the effectiveness of the longer test, we are also concerned that this could eat into the examiner’s recovery and administration time.
Therefore, with effect from 4 May, all examiners must allow a minimum of 5 minutes grace (DSA National Standard) after the scheduled start time before refusing to take the candidate out on test. More than 5 minutes grace can be allowed at the examiner’s discretion provided that it does not impact on the quality of that and subsequent tests. The duration of the actual driving test (38/40 mins) should not be reduced in order to accommodate late arrivals.
7. Request 4
An up to date copy of you code of practice and customer charter.
8. Resonse
As stated in our acknowledgement email, you can find a copy of our service standards online at http://www.dft.gov.uk/dsa/dsa-service-standards/service-standards/. In response to a previous FOI request we released an extract from our staff handbook on personal conduct. You can find a copy of this online at http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/dsa-ia009811/. This information is therefore exempt under section 21 (information accessible by other means) of FoIA.