A cashback incentive for the driving test

N ew proposals to improve the driving test have been announced, including incentives to be better prepared.

Driving test
The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched proposals to improve the driving test as part of a wide ranging review of motoring services in Great Britain.

Perhaps one of the more controversial ideas in a generation include a proposal to offer a 'cashback' incentive for the driving test, introducing in a deposit which is returned to the driver if they pass, so encouraging learner drivers to take their test when they are ready.

Despite students being encouraged to attempt a driving test when they are ready, only 21% of driving tests result in a first time pass.  The majority of tests are repeat examinations.

Reduced driving test fee
Under the new proposals the driving test fee would be reduced by requiring learner drivers to pay a deposit when they take their test, which they get back if they pass (1st time).

This will apparently help make sure learner drivers are:

better prepared for taking their test and driving independently
less likely to have an accident in the months following the test
taking their test when they are ready and confident of passing

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

We want to make learning to drive safer and more affordable.  This change will give those who pass first time some money back and provide an incentive for learners to be more prepared before they take their test.  These common sense proposals mean that all learner drivers can feel the benefit.

Pass rates and the cost of such measures
There have always been rumours of DVSA pass rates minimising the numbers that pass and reprimanding those examiners with unusual quotas.

How would such 1st time passes and ideally an increase of passes affect the DVSA revenue and indeed the examiners wages and incentives?

I think it's fair to suggest nobody attends a driving test with any other desire and intent but to pass yet of course too many fail to reach the required standard.

In order to be successful candidates are guided usually by professional instructors to only attempt a driving test if they can drive consistently well with confidence without any help from the instructor. 

If this requirement was truly adhered to then further training would usually be required and totally out way any cash incentive.

As a consequence, many would continue to chance their luck as currently happens.

In our view
We support measures that will encourage learner drivers to get the experience they need to drive safely and pass their test first time when they are ready, rather than scraping through or failing and having to repeat the process a few months down the road at more unnecessary expense.

The Government wants to hear your views on how to improve the service offered by DVSA and DVLA