DRIVING STANDARDS AGENCY
2 July 1998
LEARNERS LIKE COMPUTER TESTS, RESEARCH REVEALS
Driving theory test candidates are just as happy to take the exam
oncomputer as use a pencil and paper, Driving Standards Agency
(DSA)research has revealed.Trials, commissioned to discover whether
learners would prefer theexisting paper and pencil or computerised
versions, showed they didjust as well either way.The DSA plans to bring
in computerised testing in January 2000.Tenders have already been
invited to develop and run the service.The contractor will also
organise booking tests, customer telephonesupport and running the test
centres.The trials were run in Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Runcorn,
Swansea,Wood Green, and Belfast. More than 1500 candidates - whose
profilematched the national pattern - volunteered to take a
computerisedversion of the test on top of their normal one. Passing
either qualified them to go on to the practical test.Bernard Herdan,
DSA Chief Executive, said: "People are becomingincreasingly used to
interacting with computers and dealing with technology, for example
through 'hole in the wall' cash machines and public information
touchscreen kiosks. I believe it's the wayforward, but I also want to
ensure we get it right before we make any changes."We must be
absolutely sure that no-one is disadvantaged and the theory test
continues to deliver its primary road safety benefits."
Notes to editors:
1. The Driving Standards Agency has been an executive agency of
theDepartment of Environment, Transport and the Regions (previously
ofDoT) since April 1990. Its primary aim is to promote road safety
inGreat Britain through advancing driving standards, testing driversand
riders fairly and efficiently, maintaining the Registers ofApproved
Driving Instructors and of Large Goods Vehicle instructors,and
supervising basic training for learner motorcyclists. DSA HQ isin
Nottingham.
2. Nationally in 1997-8 approximately 1.3 million tests for cardrivers,
over 60,000 tests for lorry and bus drivers and over 88,000motorcycle
rider tests were carried out. About 36,600 examiners carried out the
car and motorcycle tests from 335 permanent testcentres across Britain.
In the same period, 1.4 million theory testswere conducted at 157
centres.
3. In 1997-98, 2500 new driving instructors were added to theRegister
of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and 16,000 ADIs werecheck-tested
to ensure they met the DSA's instructional standards.There are 450
Approved Training Bodies.
4. In December 1997, the DSA successfully regained the Charter
Mark,awarded for excellence in public service, having previously been
oneof the first recipients of this award, for 1992-95.5. The DSA has an
annual turnover of about #79m and has to cover itscosts from test
fees.The DSA is required to meet targets for waitingtimes and unit
costs. It publishes an annual business plan, reportand accounts.# =
pounds sterling
Newsbit courtesy of:
Tim Daw
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