- 07/11/2024
- Posted by: Amanda Hack MP
- Category: News
Share on Social Media
Amanda Hack reveals the extent of driving test resales.
A written question to the Roads Minister has revealed the extent of the driving test reselling problem.
Since the pandemic, a lack of available driving tests has become a perennial problem, often attributed to widespread reselling of test slots at prices more than double the original £62 fee. When booking a test on the DVSA website, applicants must enter a provisional licence number. However, some rogue operators exploit the system by using “instructors’ access” to block book multiple slots under a single licence number, only swapping to the actual applicants’ licence number once they have received a resale price way beyond their original.
Therefore, the number of driving tests where licence numbers are swapped from their original is a potential indicator of the scale of resale across the country. According to data from the Department for Transport, reselling has surged since the pandemic, rising from around 3% in January 2019 to a peak of over 30% in October 2023.
Amanda Hack said:
“As an area with limited public transport and no passenger train line, residents in North West Leicestershire are often forced to use cars to get around.
Learner drivers have raised concerns about the lack of available driving test slots and the high prices of resold tests. Data shows that potentially more than 25% of driving tests are being resold back to learners at much higher prices.
I know that the Roads Minister has been actively working to train 250 new examiners this year and recruiting another 200, so we should see more availability coming down the track. I am pleased that the DVSA has issued over 300 warnings, 750 suspensions, and closed over 700 businesses for misuse of its booking service to tackle the issue.”
The surge in driving test reselling poses a significant challenge for aspiring drivers and highlights the need for further measures to restore fairness in the booking system. The fight against driving test reselling is ongoing, and with continued vigilance and support, we can create a more equitable system for all.
Share on Social Media
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
I was proud to support Labour's Renters Rights bill yesterday which will:
✅ Limit the advance rent landlords can demand
✅ Prevent students from being pressured into signing early tenancy agreements
✅ Protect bereaved families acting as guarantors for their relatives
#RentersRightsBill
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
This is good abd long overdue. Will you be able to update re lease especially in regard to extending lease. Also year on year service charge increases with little improvement in services and outstanding work on buildings for years. Especially concerning where Social Housing Association is concerned. I welcome your feedback Amanda. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Good luck finding all the houses for the homeless renters as a result of this - all you’re doing is forcing genuine landlords to sell their properties
On Friday, I had the opportunity to meet with the Chief Fire Officer of the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. I expressed my thanks to the team members at Castle Donington Fire Station for their hard work following the floods from last week.
We talked about how quickly the water levels rose and how this impacted the response, which ultimately led to the declaration of a major incident with all resources being deployed across the county.
It was also good to understand more about the funding gap between Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and other areas across the UK, which I will be raising with the Minister shortly.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
You’ve STILL not answered my query - Via Facebook or the email that I sent you. This is regarding your vote against a new enquiry into grooming gangs.
KEEP UPDATED
GET IN TOUCH
As your local MP there are a number of different things I can help you with or offer advice on, such as; benefits, immigration, tax issues, problems with the NHS, child maintenance and education matters.
I would love to hear from you about what you think my priorities should be as your MP for North West Leicestershire and what matters most to you.
Please use the contact form to get in touch with me. Please remember to provide as many details as possible, including your name, address and full details of your issue.