Agenda item

The Service Director Culture, Housing and Regulation will submit a report on the appointment of two alternative driving assessment providers following the withdrawal of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

The Service Director Culture, Housing and Regulation submitted a report on the appointment of two alternative driving assessment providers following the withdrawal of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) as a result of the need to re-prioritise their activities.

The outcome of the DVSA decision was that from 31^st December, 2016 all applicants for taxi licences had been unable to undertake the practical driving test assessments required as a condition of licence conditions and the Authority had, therefore, been unable to issue any new licences.

In order to address this issue the Authority had invited two companies which provided such services to tender for the Barnsley contract.  Two companies, the Blue Lamp Trust and Taxi Driving Solutions had responded and had been appointed both of which undertook tests to the same standard as the DVSA, details of which were outlined.

The Blue Lamp Trust provided practical driving assessment tests (excluding the wheelchair element) to a number of local authorities in a location convenient to the applicant.  Waiting times were currently 15 working days and the cost per test was £85.  Taxi Driving Solutions provided a similar assessment but with the option or undertaking a wheelchair element.  Tests were undertaken at a testing centre within Barnsley and current waiting times were approximately 5 working days.  The costs involved were £65 for the standard test and £80 for the test with the wheelchair element.

It was noted that both providers had been delivering this service for approximately 2 months without issue or complaint.

In the ensuing discussion, the following matters were raised:

·         It was noted that some drivers had been required to undertake driving tests out of district since the withdrawal of the DVSA

·         The rationale for adopting two provides was referred to.  It was felt that this provided greater flexibility, options and choice for applicants

·         Reference was made to the need to scrutinise providers to ensure that standards were being maintained.  It was noted that this would be undertaken via an annual review with the possible introduction of ‘mystery shop’ (in association with officers from Smithies Lane Depot) in the intervening period.  An assurance was given that such actions would be undertaken as and when resources permitted

·         It was noted that the wheelchair element was not a compulsory requirement unless drivers wished to operate accessible vehicles

·         The costs charged by these companies was not massively different from those charged by the DVSA

RESOLVED  that the report be noted and action taken to appoint companies to undertake driving tests be supported.