Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the validity period of theory test certificates for people who cannot undertake their practical driving test as a result of the coronavirus public health measures.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The two-year validity period of the theory test certificate is set in legislation. This is so the candidate’s theoretical knowledge remains current. To extend the validity period would require legislative change. To do this, the relevant parliamentary process would need to take place. This situation is being given urgent attention.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a preventative duty on employers to require them to take reasonable, proactive steps to protect workers from sexual harassment and victimisation.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Earlier this year, we consulted on the evidence for a preventative duty on employers. The consultation closed on 2 October and we are currently considering the responses received.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many D4 medical examination reports have been completed during (a) each of the five years prior to December 2014 and (b) each year since December 2014.
Answered by Michael Ellis
As not all applications need to be supported by a D4 medical examination report, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not hold the information requested.
The table below shows the number of applications processed from applicants for entitlement to drive lorries and buses. However, examples of group 2 licence applications that do not include a D4 medical examination report, include but are not limited to, the renewal of a driving licence before the age of 45 and when adding an additional driving entitlement within 12 months of submitting a D4 (e.g. adding a bus provisional when holding HGV entitlement).
Year | Group 2 licence applications |
2009 | 245,486 |
2010 | 230,129 |
2011 | 244,482 |
2012 | 259,966 |
2013 | 256,248 |
2014 | 263,535 |
2015 | 282,751 |
2016 | 288,654 |
2017 | 289,202 |
2018 | 389,741 |
2019 (until the end of May) | 175,221 |
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many D4 medical examination applications have been refused during (a) each of the five years prior to December 2014 and (b) each year since December 2014.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The table below shows the number of lorry or bus driving licence applications that have been refused or revoked for medical reasons over the last 10 years. However, not all these applications will have been supported by a D4 medical examination report.
Year | Group 2 licence applications |
2009 | Not held |
2010 | 4,583 |
2011 | 5,539 |
2012 | 6,122 |
2013 | 7,464 |
2014 | 7,494 |
2015 | 8,095 |
2016 | 10,665 |
2017 | 11,213 |
2018 | 12,242 |
2019 (until the end of May) | 4,639 |
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many DVLA centres are licensed to complete D4 medical examination reports.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not license centres or doctors to complete D4 medical examination reports. The D4 medical examination and report must be conducted by a qualified medical practitioner who is registered with the General Medical Council and licensed to practice in the UK, or registered within the EU (if the form is completed outside the UK). The examining practitioner must carry out the examination in accordance with requirements outlined in DVLA guidance.