NEWSLINK January 2024_compressed

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No end in sight to the chaotic
DVSA v Examiner carnival
Colin Lilly
Editor,
Newslink
A warning often given is ‘CAUTION! The light
you see at the end of the tunnel may be the
express coming in the opposite direction.’
This is the situation that, once again, the
DVSA is facing. The DVSA, the little engine that
tried, is about to enter the tunnel with its
passengers of clients and their ADI trainers on
a mystery trip.
The express coming towards them is the
PCS Express with its threats of industrial
action threatening to derail the DVSA plans to
reduce the driving test waiting list, not to
mention the passengers on the journey.
The only person likely to prevent the
disaster is the signalman, the Minister of
Transport. Can they activate the right signals
or throw the points at the last moment?
Over the next couple of months, we will see
how this tale proceeds.
Most driver trainers presenting clients for
test are desperate to see a reduction in waiting
times, and some progress has been achieved.
The average waiting list was down to 18.3
weeks in November. But this has produced
some collateral damage. Bringing all examiners
with a warrant card back to frontline testing
has not received universal approval among
staff, while creating damage to the normal
management structure.
The dispute is not just about examiners’ pay,
which is currently approximately £8k below
the national average adult salary. It is also the
conditions that PCS members are complaining
MSA GB Annual Conference 2024:
Prices and venue announced
Time to get the weekend
cleared....
Venue and pricing
details released.
See pg 26 for more details
and first news
about. The 5-out-of-7 rotas with compulsory
weekend working and the perceived lack of
support to assist following instances of
examiner abuse have also been cited as
causes for complains.
The PCS reported that 59.21% of its
examiner members voted in its recent ballot,
with 90.5% in favour of industrial action.
Despite a high proportion of non-voters this
still represents 54.5% of all DVSA members.
Our members are reporting that some local
examiners are leaving to become driver
trainers as this now seems an attractive
alternative. In recent years, a good income can
be made despite the risks of self-employment.
In the 1930s, when the role of driving
examiner was created, the structure was
designed to attract ex-military or retired
police officers. The fact they had a pension
meant they could accept a lower salary. The
current salary still reflects this history.
Although some younger examiners are
entering the DVSA it is still not attractive to
many as a career. For example, the two-year
contract given to recent recruits does not
encourage someone with a family seeking a
mortgage. A complete re-structuring of the
role is necessary, but only the Secretary of
State for Transport can permit this.
There is little doubt that this could be a long
and damaging dispute. Unfortunately, the
ultimate victims are those caught in the
current waiting lists.
It is down to your personal choice where
your allegiances lie. Not an easy decision.
Despite all this on the horizon we hope that
all MSA GB members and their families have a
happy and successful New Year.
• Examiners to strike: see pg 6
• New L-test data: see pg 8
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COVER STORY
Making a splash in
a big heavy Range
Rover. But are
these goliaths a
safe option for
other road users?
See page 12
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Newslink
The Voice of MSA GB
Issue 372 • January 2024
New cars: a weighty
safety concern
EuroNCAP warns that the
‘concerning’ trend towards
ever heavier cars could be
putting other road users at risk
We work for a l Driver Trainers. Want to join? SAVE £25 – see pg 35 for special offer
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