Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is planning to take to support disabled people in accessing driving (a) lessons and (b) tests in the South East in the context of the closure of the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is committed to ensuring customers requiring support are always treated without discrimination.

Whilst there is no requirement for people to disclose a disability to DVSA, to ensure that every customer is treated fairly, DVSA encourages disclosure so that reasonable adjustments can be made, as needed, at both the theory test and practical driving test.

DVSA will consider and accommodate, where possible, a customer’s reasonable request for support. Depending on their requirements, evidence might be required for DVSA to assess the request thoroughly and ensure all appropriate measures are taken to provide the assistance necessary.

Approved driving instructors are not directly employed by DVSA, so the agency has no control or input on what ADIs choose to teach or what they charge for their services.

DVSA has previously worked with the Disabled Driving Instructors Association to assist learner drivers who are looking for ADIs who can accommodate disabilities and additional needs. Further information is available at: www.disabilitydrivinginstructors.com/find-an-instructor.