Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many additional driving examiners the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency plans to recruit in the next 12 months; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of staffing levels at test centres serving West London.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In April 2025, the Government announced measures to increase practical car driving test capacity, including recruiting and training 450 driving examiners, expanding examiner training capacity, offering additional paid testing and deploying other suitably qualified Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) staff to conduct tests.
DVSA uses overtime and flexible working to provide additional appointments outside normal working hours, including in the evenings, at weekends and on public holidays, where there is demand and examiner availability. Its Additional Testing Allowance scheme, introduced in June 2025, had delivered more than 138,000 additional tests by the end of September 2026, including 30,873 in September 2026.
DVSA keeps recruitment requirements under review rather than setting a separate fixed recruitment target for each rolling 12-month period. The number of driving examiners is now at its highest level since November 2017. In the 12 months to September 2026, DVSA conducted more than 2.16 million car driving tests, the highest rolling 12-month total on record.
Demand continues to exceed available capacity at some test centres serving West London. Uxbridge currently has 11 full-time driving examiners, with nine at Yeading and eight at Southall. Three recruits are expected to join Yeading and one to join Southall, subject to successfully completing their training. DVSA is also recruiting for nearby centres, including Isleworth, Chertsey, High Wycombe and Slough, and can deploy examiners from other areas to centres with higher waiting times.
These measures, together with additional out-of-hours testing and changes to the booking service, are intended to increase the number of tests available, target capacity where demand is greatest and reduce waiting times.
DVSA has published detailed data on car driving test waiting times and availability by county, region and test centre, including for Uxbridge, to provide greater transparency. Further information is available on GOV.UK
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to expand out-of-hours, evening and weekend driving test slots.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In April 2025, the Government announced measures to increase practical car driving test capacity, including recruiting and training 450 driving examiners, expanding examiner training capacity, offering additional paid testing and deploying other suitably qualified Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) staff to conduct tests.
DVSA uses overtime and flexible working to provide additional appointments outside normal working hours, including in the evenings, at weekends and on public holidays, where there is demand and examiner availability. Its Additional Testing Allowance scheme, introduced in June 2025, had delivered more than 138,000 additional tests by the end of September 2026, including 30,873 in September 2026.
DVSA keeps recruitment requirements under review rather than setting a separate fixed recruitment target for each rolling 12-month period. The number of driving examiners is now at its highest level since November 2017. In the 12 months to September 2026, DVSA conducted more than 2.16 million car driving tests, the highest rolling 12-month total on record.
Demand continues to exceed available capacity at some test centres serving West London. Uxbridge currently has 11 full-time driving examiners, with nine at Yeading and eight at Southall. Three recruits are expected to join Yeading and one to join Southall, subject to successfully completing their training. DVSA is also recruiting for nearby centres, including Isleworth, Chertsey, High Wycombe and Slough, and can deploy examiners from other areas to centres with higher waiting times.
These measures, together with additional out-of-hours testing and changes to the booking service, are intended to increase the number of tests available, target capacity where demand is greatest and reduce waiting times.
DVSA has published detailed data on car driving test waiting times and availability by county, region and test centre, including for Uxbridge, to provide greater transparency. Further information is available on GOV.UK
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time was for a practical driving test in (a) Uxbridge, (b) London and (c) England in the latest period for which figures are available.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In April 2025, the Government announced measures to increase practical car driving test capacity, including recruiting and training 450 driving examiners, expanding examiner training capacity, offering additional paid testing and deploying other suitably qualified Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) staff to conduct tests.
DVSA uses overtime and flexible working to provide additional appointments outside normal working hours, including in the evenings, at weekends and on public holidays, where there is demand and examiner availability. Its Additional Testing Allowance scheme, introduced in June 2025, had delivered more than 138,000 additional tests by the end of September 2026, including 30,873 in September 2026.
DVSA keeps recruitment requirements under review rather than setting a separate fixed recruitment target for each rolling 12-month period. The number of driving examiners is now at its highest level since November 2017. In the 12 months to September 2026, DVSA conducted more than 2.16 million car driving tests, the highest rolling 12-month total on record.
Demand continues to exceed available capacity at some test centres serving West London. Uxbridge currently has 11 full-time driving examiners, with nine at Yeading and eight at Southall. Three recruits are expected to join Yeading and one to join Southall, subject to successfully completing their training. DVSA is also recruiting for nearby centres, including Isleworth, Chertsey, High Wycombe and Slough, and can deploy examiners from other areas to centres with higher waiting times.
These measures, together with additional out-of-hours testing and changes to the booking service, are intended to increase the number of tests available, target capacity where demand is greatest and reduce waiting times.
DVSA has published detailed data on car driving test waiting times and availability by county, region and test centre, including for Uxbridge, to provide greater transparency. Further information is available on GOV.UK
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase driving test capacity and reduce candidate waiting times.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In April 2025, the Government announced measures to increase practical car driving test capacity, including recruiting and training 450 driving examiners, expanding examiner training capacity, offering additional paid testing and deploying other suitably qualified Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) staff to conduct tests.
DVSA uses overtime and flexible working to provide additional appointments outside normal working hours, including in the evenings, at weekends and on public holidays, where there is demand and examiner availability. Its Additional Testing Allowance scheme, introduced in June 2025, had delivered more than 138,000 additional tests by the end of September 2026, including 30,873 in September 2026.
DVSA keeps recruitment requirements under review rather than setting a separate fixed recruitment target for each rolling 12-month period. The number of driving examiners is now at its highest level since November 2017. In the 12 months to September 2026, DVSA conducted more than 2.16 million car driving tests, the highest rolling 12-month total on record.
Demand continues to exceed available capacity at some test centres serving West London. Uxbridge currently has 11 full-time driving examiners, with nine at Yeading and eight at Southall. Three recruits are expected to join Yeading and one to join Southall, subject to successfully completing their training. DVSA is also recruiting for nearby centres, including Isleworth, Chertsey, High Wycombe and Slough, and can deploy examiners from other areas to centres with higher waiting times.
These measures, together with additional out-of-hours testing and changes to the booking service, are intended to increase the number of tests available, target capacity where demand is greatest and reduce waiting times.
DVSA has published detailed data on car driving test waiting times and availability by county, region and test centre, including for Uxbridge, to provide greater transparency. Further information is available on GOV.UK
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a) making DVLA driving licence data available to Electoral Registration Officers for the purposes of Automatic Voter Registration, and b) allowing people who update their address on their driving licences with DVLA to update their voter registration automatically at the same time.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While voter registration processes are a matter for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG), officials at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are discussing the potential for using driver licensing information for these purposes with MCHLG officials.
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve road safety awareness.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Road Safety Strategy, published on 07 January 2026 by this Government, marks a turning point. We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence.
The measures will save thousands of lives over the coming decade. Five new consultations were launched alongside the Road Safety Strategy. These are: motoring offences, a minimum learning period for learner drivers, eye tests for older drivers, improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing and mandating vehicle safety technologies in GB type approval.
The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign delivers paid advertising to change attitudes and behaviours among those at most risk on the road, currently focused on the priority issues of speed, drink driving and drug driving. THINK! campaigns will play a key role in encouraging safer road user behaviours to support delivery of the strategy.
This will include paid campaign activity to raise awareness of any potential changes to road safety legislation, with the introduction of these potential changes also supported by wider communications including via DfT social channels and GOV.UK, media engagement and partner and stakeholder networks.
Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations.
However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.
Additionally, as announced in the strategy to support a Lifelong Learning approach in the UK, the government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, the government will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.
Local authorities are responsible for delivering road safety education and have a statutory duty to take steps both to reduce and prevent collisions.
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a public awareness campaign on the new Highway Code rules.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Injuries and fatalities from road collisions caused by driving are unacceptable, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users.
That is why on 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all.
Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes.
Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations.
However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.
As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety. As announced in the strategy to support a Lifelong Learning approach in the UK, the government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, the government will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of non-disclosure agreements with union safety representatives during (a) insolvency and (b) restructuring on the ability of aviation workforces to raise collective safety concerns with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Aviation safety is a government priority.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), in its capacity as a regulator, does not hold any financial or commercial interest in aviation organisations. The CAA remains independent in its actions, including during any period of insolvency or restructuring.
If an approved maintenance organisation enters insolvency or a period of financial difficulties, the UK CAA may decide to increase the frequency and level of oversight, including unannounced audits, to ensure that it remains compliant.
If the CAA are notified of a senior management change or change in the financial situation of an approved maintenance organisation, that organisation will need to demonstrate to the UK CAA that the Accountable Manager has the necessary funding allocation for the intended maintenance activities carried out under its approval. If an organisation cannot meet these requirements, approval is suspended immediately.
To address concerns raised on the potential impact of non-disclosure agreements in the aviation sector, the aviation workforce has multiple means of raising collective safety concerns. The UK CAA has established a range of reporting channels, including mandatory and voluntary incident reporting and dedicated whistleblowing routes.
Staff working for industries regulated by the CAA can also use the Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) service at any time to raise concerns confidentially.
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures are in place to ensure the Civil Aviation Authority retains operational independence when it holds a (a) financial and (b) commercial interest in an aviation organisation undergoing (i) insolvency and (ii) restructuring.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Aviation safety is a government priority.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), in its capacity as a regulator, does not hold any financial or commercial interest in aviation organisations. The CAA remains independent in its actions, including during any period of insolvency or restructuring.
If an approved maintenance organisation enters insolvency or a period of financial difficulties, the UK CAA may decide to increase the frequency and level of oversight, including unannounced audits, to ensure that it remains compliant.
If the CAA are notified of a senior management change or change in the financial situation of an approved maintenance organisation, that organisation will need to demonstrate to the UK CAA that the Accountable Manager has the necessary funding allocation for the intended maintenance activities carried out under its approval. If an organisation cannot meet these requirements, approval is suspended immediately.
To address concerns raised on the potential impact of non-disclosure agreements in the aviation sector, the aviation workforce has multiple means of raising collective safety concerns. The UK CAA has established a range of reporting channels, including mandatory and voluntary incident reporting and dedicated whistleblowing routes.
Staff working for industries regulated by the CAA can also use the Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) service at any time to raise concerns confidentially.
Asked by: Danny Beales (Labour - Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of aviation safety assurance arrangements when an approved maintenance organisation becomes insolvent.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Aviation safety is a government priority.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), in its capacity as a regulator, does not hold any financial or commercial interest in aviation organisations. The CAA remains independent in its actions, including during any period of insolvency or restructuring.
If an approved maintenance organisation enters insolvency or a period of financial difficulties, the UK CAA may decide to increase the frequency and level of oversight, including unannounced audits, to ensure that it remains compliant.
If the CAA are notified of a senior management change or change in the financial situation of an approved maintenance organisation, that organisation will need to demonstrate to the UK CAA that the Accountable Manager has the necessary funding allocation for the intended maintenance activities carried out under its approval. If an organisation cannot meet these requirements, approval is suspended immediately.
To address concerns raised on the potential impact of non-disclosure agreements in the aviation sector, the aviation workforce has multiple means of raising collective safety concerns. The UK CAA has established a range of reporting channels, including mandatory and voluntary incident reporting and dedicated whistleblowing routes.
Staff working for industries regulated by the CAA can also use the Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) service at any time to raise concerns confidentially.