Asked by: Peter Grant (Scottish National Party - Glenrothes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to resolve the interface issues between the DVLA and Her Majesty’s Passport Office which is preventing driving licences being renewed online for applicants without a digital passport signature, as detailed in the DVLA's letter to the hon. member for Glenrothes of 17 February 2021.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
Since 2017, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) changed its processes so that the passport holder’s’ signature is no longer collected when a passport application is made. Where digital signatures are already held by HMPO, the customer will be able to continue with the online driving licence application process.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is currently developing a new system which will allow customers to upload their own signatures. This is due to be launched later this year.
Asked by: Peter Grant (Scottish National Party - Glenrothes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to extend the grace period for non-GB licence holders to allow them to continue to drive in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
There are no current plans to extend the 12-month period for which holders of foreign driving licences can drive in Great Britain using that licence. To continue driving after the 12-month period the driver must either exchange their licence, if it was issued by a country which has been designated for licence exchange purposes, or apply for a provisional driving licence and pass both a theory and practical driving test.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is looking at a range of measures to increase testing capacity once current restrictions are eased. Immediately, it is responding to requests for driving tests from organisations on behalf of frontline mobile emergency workers, who require a driving licence to carry out duties in their employment role. This is a limited service but extends to foreign licence holders if they meet the criteria and are nominated by eligible organisations.
Asked by: Peter Grant (Scottish National Party - Glenrothes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made in reviewing guidance in the Highway Code to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government’s response to the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS) Safety Review was published in November 2018.
The CWIS Safety Review 50 point action plan, published alongside the Government’s response, sets the framework for consultation on more detailed proposals and a targeted programme of research over the next two years.
Three of these actions relate to the reviewing of guidance in The Highway Code to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse-riders. The Department is currently agreeing the scope and delivery of this review, which will be conducted in consultation with our stakeholders, according to the Department’s usual practice.