Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether people taking their driving test are advised in advance that the sat nav element of that test is not available in the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) takes its responsibilities under the Welsh Language Act seriously, and considered carefully the provisions of the Act when reviewing the changes to the car practical driving test.

The driving examiner does not decide until the test begins which form of independent driving, which may or may not itself include a satnav element, will be delivered.

Currently, the test candidate is not informed prior to the test that the sat nav element is not available in the Welsh language. There is no satnav manufacturer that offers an instruction in Welsh. As a result, the DVSA cannot include a Welsh speaking facility on the satnav. The driving test confirmation letter will shortly be amended to inform the test candidate prior to the test that the satnav element is not available in the Welsh language.