Calls to change driving tests for the learners who keep failing

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The RAC Foundation making people pay would encourage them to wait until they are ready to pass, easing the “unacceptable” test backlog which often forces candidates to wait “many months for a slot”. RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said the next government should consider introducing rebates for learners who pass the test first time, and additional fees for those with several previous failures. “An improved pass rate would help drive down the understandable backlog, and 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”. “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.” Driving test fees could be raised for learners who have already made multiple unsuccessful attempts, a motoring research charity has suggested Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, warned that, although the logic behind additional fees “might seem reasonable”, officials must be careful about further adding to increasing motoring costs.