Testing delays
Sir: We know that roughly half of all driving tests result in a pass (see `. . . and statistics', 23 April). The overall pass rate for 1987 was 50 per cent and for 1986 49 per cent. A special survey in 1985 showed that the pass rate for candidates taking their test for the first time was 45 per cent. The same survey showed that of all candi- dates surveyed (first and subsequent tests) 24 per cent were first-time passes. Many people take the test before they are ready. Taking account of a pre-test lesson most candidates spend £30 to £40 on a driving test. If they are not properly prepared, this money is wasted and would have been better spent on extra tuition.
One reason why candidates too often attempt the test prematurely is the delay in booking a test. This delay has been re- duced from an average of 18 weeks to 13 weeks. We want to reduce it further.
Peter Bottomley
Minister for Roads and Traffic, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1
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