Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to collect information from on-board vehicle diagnostics systems at the point of (a) an MOT and (b) vehicle servicing to guide measures.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department for Transport and DVSA keep the content of the MOT test under continuous review. This includes considering how on-board diagnostics could be used in future to monitor systems such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
The Department does not regulate the content of servicing as every driver is responsible for maintaining their vehicle to a roadworthy standard. In practice most drivers rely on a garage servicing regime that can include the use of on-board diagnostics software.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the planned minimum learning period for drivers will apply to learner drivers of all ages.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are consulting on introducing a Minimum Learning Period for learner drivers and the consultation includes questions on what age of learner driver any mandatory requirements should apply to.
Once the consultation has concluded, we will publish our response in due course.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of lowering the speed limit on rural single carriageway roads.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January 2026, commits the Government to exploring whether the proposed rural roads categories are appropriate at a local level and to assessing their potential for national application. Developing a much clearer and more consistent definition of what constitutes a ‘rural road’ could help target safety interventions more effectively, ensuring resources are spent where they can have the greatest impact. We have also announced the establishment of a data-led Road Safety Investigation Branch, which will investigate collisions on a thematic basis.
The strategy has also committed to publishing a new edition of the best practice guidance Setting local speed limits - GOV.UK which outlines how local authorities may introduce lower limits on rural roads where appropriate. The most recent publicly accessible version of this guidance emphasises that Local traffic authorities have the power to introduce speed limits lower than the national limit where local conditions justify this.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January 2026, whether she has had conversations with optometrists on mandatory eye testing for drivers.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
My officials have met with various optometrist organisations (including the College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists) while developing the proposed changes to eyesight testing for older drivers, and we will continue to engage with optometrist organisations as our policies develop further.
The consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers was published on 07 January. We welcome responses from optometrists and optometrist organisations.
The consultation can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
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 negotiating with his EU counterparts to secure an exemption for professional drivers from the 90 in 180 day Schengen rule.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Schengen 90/180-day immigration rule has applied since 2021 to all UK nationals (including professional drivers of heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and coaches) undertaking short stays for leisure and work in the Schengen area. The Schengen 90/180 limit is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory. As such, it is not UK Government policy.
The Government will continue to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by these rules and will advocate for British citizens abroad. Ultimately any exemptions or amendments to Schengen rules are a matter for Member States and the EU.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to negotiate an agreement with her EU counterparts to permit British HGV drivers to register biometric details away from the UK/EU border under the Entry/Exit System.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented by the EU to improve border security. Whilst the UK Government continues to actively engage with the EU as they continue EES implementation, it is not a UK Government initiative.
It is for individual Member States to determine how to register biometric details. The pre-registration of details does not replace checks by the border authorities.
The UK Government is working closely with the EU as they roll out their EES checks to encourage a streamlined registration process that will minimise disruption for travellers. This is in addition to close engagement that the Department has had with travel operators and hauliers to support their preparation for EES and to reiterate travel requirements for the Schengen area.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on road safety in the UK of her Department’s policy allowing people who obtained their driving license abroad to drive in the UK for 12 months without obtaining a UK driving license from the DVLA.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Foreign visitors to the UK are permitted to drive cars and motorcycles for up to 12 months without needing to exchange their licences or take a test. This system was established in 1909 and has remained in place under all recent governments, including the 2010-2015 coalition. After 12 months, people with licences from designated countries must exchange their licence for a UK equivalent whilst other licence holders must pass a UK test. Information about driving safely in the UK, notably driving on the left, is given to foreign drivers at ports.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) requiring all drivers to submit a recent eye test result when applying for a driving license renewal and (b) broadening the required eye tests to include an assessment of (i) vision in reduced lighting, (ii) reaction times, and (iii) peripheral vision.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
All drivers, regardless of age, have a legal responsibility to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive.
The Government is considering the current process of self-declaration and the challenges posed by an ageing population where certain conditions, including vision conditions, may become more prevalent. In the meantime, the current renewal at age 70 process remains as is, and drivers must legally declare any vision or medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive.
Any options for change will be subject to public consultation.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to impose (a) quotas and (b) no-flying times at night at (a) Bournemouth International Airport and (b) other regional airports.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Government only sets noise-related restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. At all other airports, including Bournemouth, flight restrictions are set through the planning system and not by the Government. It is the responsibility of the relevant local planning authority to conduct any necessary noise assessments and to enforce any restrictions.