Newslink September 2021

News
Quick response required
over DVSA fee increases
Driving instructors have been caught by
surprise after a major DVSA consultation
on increasing a host of fees in the driver
training and testing sector was launched
early in August – but gave the profession
only four weeks to respond.
The consultation was announced on
August 5 but all responses must be filed
by September 2 – a short period for any
DVSA consultation, but particularly so
when it runs over the summer holiday
period.
However, the proposed increases are
not major, at 1.5 per cent. If the fee
increases go through, as appears highly
likely, no matter what responses are
presented to the DSVA, it will be the first
such increases since 2010.
The DVSA says the extra cash will be
used to improve services and add to
recent innovations such as updated
theory test hazard perception clips,
examiners marking tests on iPads and
improvements to the MOT service.
It will also be used to target noncompliant
operations in the DVSA’s area
of operations, including vehicle operators
and, hopefully, non-ADIs offering paid-for
lessons, and improvements to the driving
test booking service.
A full list of the proposed fees can be
found on the table below.
FEE INCREASE PROPOSALS
Type of test Current fee Proposed fee
for 2021 to 2022
Tests
Theory test (car and motorcycle) £23 £23.40
Car driving test (normal hours) £62 £62.90
ADI part 1 (theory) test £81 £82.20
ADI part 2 (driving ability) test £111 £112.70
ADI part 3 (instructional ability) test £111 £112.70
ADI registration and licence fees
First ADI certificate (or ‘badge’) £300 £304.50
Trainee driving instructor licence £140 £142.10
Renewal £300 £304.50
Re-registration £300 £304.50
Moped and motorcycle CBT
Book of 25 CBT (DL196)
certificates £200 £203
Running drink-drive rehabilitation courses
Application for course approval £1,000 £1,015
Application for extension or alteration
of an existing course approval Up to £1,000 Up to £1,015
Continuing approval fee (for each
offender who completes a course) £7 £7.11
DVSA focuses on single
Twitter account
DVSA closed one of its customer
service Twitter accounts at the start
of September. The account @DVSA_
helpme was deactivated on September
1, with all customer queries now
channelled through @DVSAgovuk.
The DVSA said it had taken this
decision after it found that customer
queries were often sent to both
addresses.
A spokesperson said “Closing the
separate Twitter customer service
account means we’ll be able to answer
questions more effectively on our main
Twitter account.”
The customer service team will still
be contactable through Facebook,
phone or email.
Social media
The DVSA posts regular updates on
services via Facebook and Twitter and
members are advised to follow both, in
addition to the Facebook page for the
Highway Code.
Motorcycle examiner
recruitment campaign
The DVSA is looking to recruit an extra
nine motorcycle examiners in England
and Wales to help meet increased
demand at specific locations.
The examiners will be deployed in
the following areas:
• East England
• South-West England
• West Midlands
•North and South Wales
A full Category A driving licence is
essential for consideration for the roles.
DVSA is looking at making the new
positions as flexible as possible, with
part-time working hours available and
evening and weekend working
opportunities.
You can find out more about the
motorcycle examiner roles and apply at
this link HERE.
Note the deadline for applications is
11.55pm on Thursday, September 2.
Vehicle tests
MOT slot fee £2.05 £2.08
HGV - 2 axles £91 £92.40
HGV - 3 axles £113 £114.70
What’s your view? Let MSA GB know by contacting the Newslink Editor at
editor@msagb.com
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NEWSLINK n SEPTEMBER 2021