❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses concerns about delays in booking driver's license tests, with the Minister responding by outlining measures taken to reduce waiting times and disputing claims of excessive delays.
AnsweredQoN 1274Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In April I lodged a question regarding concerns about unacceptable delays in the booking of drivers licence tests, and was assured in the reply (
Hansard
,
June 12 2003, page 8685, 707) that the average booking lead time was 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres, and that various steps were being taken to reduce these waiting times. I am informed that current waiting lists are well in excess of this time - current bookings are being informed of a nearly three months delay -
Can the Minister please advise -
(1) What is the current average booking lead time in metropolitan licensing centres, according to your Department?
(2) Can the Minister advise why there is such a large discrepancy between the waiting period as described by your Department and that being experienced by members of the public?
(3) Have the promised measures to reduce waiting times been introduced?
(4) If so, what are these measures, and what is their expected outcome in terms of reduction in waiting time?
(5) If not, when will these measures be introduced, and what is their expected outcome in terms of reduction in waiting times?
Hansard
,
June 12 2003, page 8685, 707) that the average booking lead time was 7.7 weeks at metropolitan licensing centres, and that various steps were being taken to reduce these waiting times. I am informed that current waiting lists are well in excess of this time - current bookings are being informed of a nearly three months delay -
Can the Minister please advise -
(1) What is the current average booking lead time in metropolitan licensing centres, according to your Department?
(2) Can the Minister advise why there is such a large discrepancy between the waiting period as described by your Department and that being experienced by members of the public?
(3) Have the promised measures to reduce waiting times been introduced?
(4) If so, what are these measures, and what is their expected outcome in terms of reduction in waiting time?
(5) If not, when will these measures be introduced, and what is their expected outcome in terms of reduction in waiting times?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 November 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
30 days
(1)&(2) The average waiting time has been reduced to 5.6 weeks in the metropolitan area. I am advised that claims of average waiting times of 3 months are incorrect and that nine weeks is the current longest waiting time at only one metropolitan centre. The Member should also note that a “lead time” does not indicate that tests are unavailable for this period. Assessment times originally withheld for other operational arrangements are released progressively. Cancellations also result in vacancies becoming available at relatively short notice and these are not included in lead time averages. Waiting times are variable throughout the metropolitan area and are dependent upon factors such as the type of test and the location requested. In cases of extreme hardship, emergency and medical or legal requirement, a test appointment is made available at short notice. (3)&(4) The following strategies have been put in place to reduce the average waiting time for a Practical Driver Assessment (PDA) appointment. Introducing from 1 July 2003, a compulsory waiting period for candidates who have failed a driving assessment, failed to attend without notice or not provided notice of cancellation within 48 hours and who do not fall within specified exemption categories. Freeing driving assessors from other duties; Providing for assessors to work additional hours; Training and recruiting additional assessors (currently in progress); Increasing the number of other trained staff conducting PDAs; and Working with the Australian Driver Training Association to take into account and address their concerns regarding the delays. As shown in the response to question 1, these measures have already impacted positively on waiting times and it is expected that a further reduction will be achieved as resourcing issues are addressed. Also, the proposed restructuring of driver testing fees as foreshadowed in the response to the Member’s previous Question will enable full cost recovery and assist in the provision of additional resources to meet public expectations. In the interim, resources have been optimised to ensure that the maximum number of tests are available. (5) N/A
(3)&(4) The following strategies have been put in place to reduce the average waiting time for a Practical Driver Assessment (PDA) appointment. Introducing from 1 July 2003, a compulsory waiting period for candidates who have failed a driving assessment, failed to attend without notice or not provided notice of cancellation within 48 hours and who do not fall within specified exemption categories. Freeing driving assessors from other duties; Providing for assessors to work additional hours; Training and recruiting additional assessors (currently in progress); Increasing the number of other trained staff conducting PDAs; and Working with the Australian Driver Training Association to take into account and address their concerns regarding the delays. As shown in the response to question 1, these measures have already impacted positively on waiting times and it is expected that a further reduction will be achieved as resourcing issues are addressed. Also, the proposed restructuring of driver testing fees as foreshadowed in the response to the Member’s previous Question will enable full cost recovery and assist in the provision of additional resources to meet public expectations. In the interim, resources have been optimised to ensure that the maximum number of tests are available. (5) N/A
Introducing from 1 July 2003, a compulsory waiting period for candidates who have failed a driving assessment, failed to attend without notice or not provided notice of cancellation within 48 hours and who do not fall within specified exemption categories. Freeing driving assessors from other duties; Providing for assessors to work additional hours; Training and recruiting additional assessors (currently in progress); Increasing the number of other trained staff conducting PDAs; and Working with the Australian Driver Training Association to take into account and address their concerns regarding the delays. As shown in the response to question 1, these measures have already impacted positively on waiting times and it is expected that a further reduction will be achieved as resourcing issues are addressed. Also, the proposed restructuring of driver testing fees as foreshadowed in the response to the Member’s previous Question will enable full cost recovery and assist in the provision of additional resources to meet public expectations. In the interim, resources have been optimised to ensure that the maximum number of tests are available. (5) N/A
As shown in the response to question 1, these measures have already impacted positively on waiting times and it is expected that a further reduction will be achieved as resourcing issues are addressed. Also, the proposed restructuring of driver testing fees as foreshadowed in the response to the Member’s previous Question will enable full cost recovery and assist in the provision of additional resources to meet public expectations. In the interim, resources have been optimised to ensure that the maximum number of tests are available. (5) N/A
(5) N/A
(3)&(4) The following strategies have been put in place to reduce the average waiting time for a Practical Driver Assessment (PDA) appointment. Introducing from 1 July 2003, a compulsory waiting period for candidates who have failed a driving assessment, failed to attend without notice or not provided notice of cancellation within 48 hours and who do not fall within specified exemption categories. Freeing driving assessors from other duties; Providing for assessors to work additional hours; Training and recruiting additional assessors (currently in progress); Increasing the number of other trained staff conducting PDAs; and Working with the Australian Driver Training Association to take into account and address their concerns regarding the delays. As shown in the response to question 1, these measures have already impacted positively on waiting times and it is expected that a further reduction will be achieved as resourcing issues are addressed. Also, the proposed restructuring of driver testing fees as foreshadowed in the response to the Member’s previous Question will enable full cost recovery and assist in the provision of additional resources to meet public expectations. In the interim, resources have been optimised to ensure that the maximum number of tests are available. (5) N/A
Introducing from 1 July 2003, a compulsory waiting period for candidates who have failed a driving assessment, failed to attend without notice or not provided notice of cancellation within 48 hours and who do not fall within specified exemption categories. Freeing driving assessors from other duties; Providing for assessors to work additional hours; Training and recruiting additional assessors (currently in progress); Increasing the number of other trained staff conducting PDAs; and Working with the Australian Driver Training Association to take into account and address their concerns regarding the delays. As shown in the response to question 1, these measures have already impacted positively on waiting times and it is expected that a further reduction will be achieved as resourcing issues are addressed. Also, the proposed restructuring of driver testing fees as foreshadowed in the response to the Member’s previous Question will enable full cost recovery and assist in the provision of additional resources to meet public expectations. In the interim, resources have been optimised to ensure that the maximum number of tests are available. (5) N/A
As shown in the response to question 1, these measures have already impacted positively on waiting times and it is expected that a further reduction will be achieved as resourcing issues are addressed. Also, the proposed restructuring of driver testing fees as foreshadowed in the response to the Member’s previous Question will enable full cost recovery and assist in the provision of additional resources to meet public expectations. In the interim, resources have been optimised to ensure that the maximum number of tests are available. (5) N/A
(5) N/A
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