Driving examiner strike - candidates to attend tests.

M2 PRESSWIRE-June 29, 2011-: Driving examiner strike - candidates to attend tests(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:28062011

The Driving Standards Agency is urging all driving test candidates booked to take a test on Thursday 30 June to attend as usual regardless of the threat of strike action by examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.

Driving Standards Agency's chief executive Rosemary Thew said:

"Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we cannot be sure that they will not turn up for work. We therefore want candidates to attend so that practical tests can be delivered if possible. Theory tests are not affected and will be taking place as planned.

"Candidates who turn up but are unable to take their tests because of industrial action will not have to contact DSA to re-book. They should hear from us with a new date within five to ten working days. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers."

If no examiner is available for a test, a new date will be rebooked automatically by DSA and the candidate will be sent details of the new test. If candidates fail to attend they will not be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses if their tests are cancelled and they will need to rebook their own tests.

DSA's customer service centre for practical tests might also be affected by the strike action. Customers who wish to book a practical test will still be able to use our internet booking service at www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtest .

Details about claiming out-of-pocket expenses can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtestexpenses .

* For further information please contact DSA Press Office on 0115 936 6135 or email pressoffice@dsa.gsi.gov.uk

dft.gov.uk/dsa direct.gov.uk/motoring businesslink.gov.uk/transport

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To view the Welsh language version of this press release, please follow the link below;

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/ImageLibrary/detail.aspx?MediaDetailsID=3897

DSA 29-11

Notes to editors

1. DSA promotes road safety through setting standards for drivers, riders and trainers, testing drivers and riders fairly and efficiently, maintaining the registers of Approved Driving Instructors; Large Goods Vehicle Instructors; Fleet Trainers; Driving Instructor Trainers and Post Test Motorcycle Trainers; supervising Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) for learner motorcyclists; and driver education and the provision of learning resources.

2. DSA is a trading fund with planned income of [pound sign]195 million in 2011/12, largely funded through fees and revenue from other road safety initiatives. It delivers tests from over 400 practical driving test centres and 158 theory test locations.

3. DSA employs around 2,600 staff, of which just over 1,800 are driving examiners. In 2010/11 DSA conducted around 1.8 million practical tests (of which 1.6 million were car tests) and around 1.6 million theory tests. At the end of 2010/2011 there were around 47,000 people on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors.

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