❓ Hon Alan Cadby raises concerns about driver's license test delays following the introduction of the Graduated Driving Test, questioning staffing levels, test volumes, and waiting times. The Minister's response details staffing, test rates, booking lead times, and planned initiatives to address the issues.
AnsweredQoN 707Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to concerns about unacceptable delays in the booking of drivers licence tests. I understand that when the Graduated Driving Test was introduced it was accepted that the testing process would be more time consuming, and that eight (8) new licensing inspectors were promised to take up this workload. Can the Minister please advise -
(1) How many drivers’ licence inspectors are currently employed in the metropolitan area?
(2) How many drivers’ licence inspectors were employed in the metropolitan area prior to the introduction of the Graduated Driving Test?
(3) Are these staff replaced while on leave, or does the workload fall to the remaining inspectors?
(4) Prior to the introduction of the new testing process, how many licence examinations were held, on average, each day at metropolitan licensing centres?
(5) After the introduction of the new testing process, how many licence examinations were held, on average, each day at metropolitan licensing centres?
(6) When members of the public contact their licensing centre to book in to have their driving test, what is the average time they have to wait before being able to sit their tests?
(7) How many members of the public are currently waiting to have their licence test conducted?
(8) When an individual fails the driving test, what is the average time it takes before they can be booked in to re-sit the test?
(1) How many drivers’ licence inspectors are currently employed in the metropolitan area?
(2) How many drivers’ licence inspectors were employed in the metropolitan area prior to the introduction of the Graduated Driving Test?
(3) Are these staff replaced while on leave, or does the workload fall to the remaining inspectors?
(4) Prior to the introduction of the new testing process, how many licence examinations were held, on average, each day at metropolitan licensing centres?
(5) After the introduction of the new testing process, how many licence examinations were held, on average, each day at metropolitan licensing centres?
(6) When members of the public contact their licensing centre to book in to have their driving test, what is the average time they have to wait before being able to sit their tests?
(7) How many members of the public are currently waiting to have their licence test conducted?
(8) When an individual fails the driving test, what is the average time it takes before they can be booked in to re-sit the test?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 June 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
37 days
2. 35 3. When on leave, assessors may be relieved, by assigning trained staff to assessment duties. These arrangements vary according to location and/or workload. The relief staff are sourced from other areas of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure Licensing operations. 4. 13 tests per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 5. 9 practical driving assessments per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
3. When on leave, assessors may be relieved, by assigning trained staff to assessment duties. These arrangements vary according to location and/or workload. The relief staff are sourced from other areas of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure Licensing operations. 4. 13 tests per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 5. 9 practical driving assessments per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
4. 13 tests per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 5. 9 practical driving assessments per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
5. 9 practical driving assessments per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
3. When on leave, assessors may be relieved, by assigning trained staff to assessment duties. These arrangements vary according to location and/or workload. The relief staff are sourced from other areas of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure Licensing operations. 4. 13 tests per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 5. 9 practical driving assessments per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
4. 13 tests per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 5. 9 practical driving assessments per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
5. 9 practical driving assessments per day per assessor. Numbers of assessors vary from centre to centre due to leave and operational requirements. 6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
6. The average booking lead time is currently 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres. However, in cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment may be made available earlier. 7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
7. A list of people waiting to book a test is not maintained. 8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
8. A retest can be made immediately subject to availability of appropriate booking vacancies. In general terms, the length of time a person has to wait will be affected by the location and the time that they nominate to undertake the retest. Currently around 40% of those presently sitting the test for the first time are failing. However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
However, as from 1 July 2003, learners who fail the driving test will not be allocated a retest appointment within one month from their unsuccessful test. This initiative will encourage learners to better prepare themselves for their test, which should result in a higher pass rate on the first attempt, thereby reducing the demand for retests. Around 10% of appointments fail to fornt. To discourage this, it is proposed that learners who do not provide sufficient notice to cancel a test booking or who do not attend the specified appointment, will have to pay a penalty equivalent to the drivers licence application fee (currently $49.75) rather than the re-test fee (currently $25.70). They will also be required to wait one month before resitting. This initiative will require amendment to the appropriate regulations. Finally, Saturday morning assesments have been reintroduced to help reduce waiting times.
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