Driving examiners across the UK will go on strike in March, with “significant impact” on Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) operations anticipated.
The strike has been organised by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). DVSA staff in London and the south-east will skip work on 6-7 March, followed by the south-west and Wales (9-10 March), the east midlands, west midlands and east (20-21 March), and finally the north and Scotland (27-28 March).
PCS says its previous round of rolling regional strike action was “well supported” and resulted in an estimated £28million of lost driving test revenue. The union added: “This further action will have a significant impact on the employer’s operations.”
James Armstrong, CEO of Veygo – which provides temporary and learner car insurance – said: “Over the past few years, learners have had various knockbacks, including extensive backlogs and delays to both lessons and test dates, with some areas of the UK still facing up to 24 weeks wait to take their practical test. These strikes will no doubt be another knock for learners, particularly early in the year when learners may have hoped to secure their pink licence and make the most of driving in the year ahead.
“Despite this, we urge learners not to be disheartened and to make the most of any extra time to get in some more private practice, so that when they do take their test, they have a higher chance of passing first time.”
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