Is it time to incentivise better test preparation?

Does monetising endeavour work?

The RAC Foundation believes that driving test fees for retests should be increased to achieve this.

Paying the price

Failing the driving test could soon cost more than emotional distress.

Instead, it could cost candidates who fail the driving test in their wallets and purses.

According to the RAC Foundation, this will incentivise applicants to hold off until they are prepared to pass.

In turn, this could help reduce the backlog of “unacceptable” tests that frequently result in candidates waiting “many months for a slot.”

According to official data, 93,204 of the practical driving exams administered in the year ending at the end of March represented at least six failed attempts by the candidates.

Those tests had a success rate of only 41.4%, while the average success rate for all tests was 47.9%.

Traffic jams

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) provided data that AA Driving School revealed last month, indicating that the average wait period for a test at the beginning of February was more than eighteen weeks.

It revealed that the DVSA’s attempts to reduce waiting times for tests are mainly failing at the present time.

Coronavirus lockdowns saw driving tests stopped, resulting in a massive backlog of applicants.

Strikes by driving examiners also resulted in the cancellation of thousands of examinations.

Monetising incentives

The practical driving test cost is £62 on weekdays and £75 on weekends, bank holidays, and evenings.

According to Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, the future administration should consider refunding students who pass the exam on their first attempt.

Raising costs for those who have failed the test multiple times could also incentivise better preparation.

Gooding told the PA news agency: “Forget about all the traffic jams out on the road, there is now an unacceptable amount of congestion in the test system”.

“In part these jams are being caused by people who have failed multiple times and come back to take a test that might be their fourth, fifth or sixth attempt, or even greater”.

“If you incentivise people to pass first time there is also a case for adding a modest premium to the test fee for those who have already failed on several occasions.”

Mr Gooding said the figures suggest some learners “keep throwing themselves back into tests without being properly prepared”.

He said, “A higher fee might persuade them not to resit their test until they are more likely to pass.

“If you can improve the pass rate, this means more learners avoiding the financial and time costs associated with repeated disappointments at the test centre.”

Pay up

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, cautioned that policymakers must exercise caution when adding to the already rising cost of driving.

Although the reasoning for new fees “might seem reasonable,” affordability and equity must be factored in.

He added: “Moreover, a looming threat of higher subsequent test costs could be unnecessary pressure we’re adding to somebody’s first test.

“Ultimately, driving instructors in consultation with the learner driver are best placed to decide on when somebody is ready to take their practical test.”

Are you ready?

In its “Ready To Pass” campaign, the DVSA notes that many students take exams “before they’re ready” and offers tips on how to pass.

DVSA asked more experienced managers and administrative personnel to work full-time as exam administrators to help relieve the waiting times.

More tests were made available during the week and at weekends.

However, the churn of examiners leaving the agency has hindered progress.

Now, the focus is returning to the candidate.

To encourage candidates to wait until they are prepared to pass, it was announced last year that the period they must wait after failing a test would be extended from 10 to 28 days.

Also, learners can only schedule a practical driving test after they have passed a theory test.