Back behind wheel again

But help needed for backlog

NICOLA FINDLAY

A MSP is calling for a plan to be put in place to tackle the growing backlog of driving tests in East Kilbride due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learner drivers will be gearing up to hit the roads after a four-month hiatus – but they may face a lengthy wait before they can fully obtain their licence.

Instructors restarted lessons on Monday (August 24) with practical tests expected to start a few weeks later.

And while Tory MSP Graham Simpson had welcomed progress after previously demanding clarity from the Scottish Government, he believes a backlog in tests will cause more problems.

Figures show Between April-August from 2017-2019, an average 620 driving tests usually take place across East Kilbride indicating that there will be hundreds of people waiting in a backlog .

In England and Wales lessons resumed on July 4 Theory tests in Scotland resumed in Scotland on July 22.

Scottish Conservative shadow local government minister Graham Simpson said: “After my repeated calls to the First Minister for a firm date to resume lessons and tests, I’m encouraged that lessons are set to resume on August 24 and tests soon after.

“With the government advising people to avoid public transport, those without their own way of getting around have been struggling and any further unnecessary delays will only create further frustrations in an already difficult time.

“Driving can be a key skill in getting a job and could-be drivers need to be equipped with proper and adequate practice.

“With hundreds of people in East Kilbride waiting to pass the theory test and successfully complete a practical test, it will be some time until new drivers are on the road.

“The SNP Scottish Government need to create a clear roadmap to deal with the backlog of tests. The SNP needs to get this right or new drivers will continue to wait in limbo.”

And long-standing East Kilbride Kilbride instructor, Bobby Russell from Freedom School of Motoring, who previously hit out at the lack of clarity from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, has welcomed the latest announcement.

“This is a positive move and a sign that things are moving forward in the right direction.

“While instructors may have found the delay frustrating, I believe waiting and the approach taken here was the right thing to do for everyone’s safety. I think lessons were started to soon in England and Wales.

“But there is absolutely no doubt that there is going to be a significant backlog in east Kilbride and I’m sure elsewhere for tests.

“Normally we would do five tests a day in East Kilbride Monday to Friday and we have been no where near that.

“There have been a few limited tests for frontline workers and that’s been it.

“It’s been hard for the industry, particularly new instructors who have paid out a lot of money but hadn’t been working long enough to receive government support.

“There is a long road ahead for many of them.”

“After my repeated calls to the First Minister for a firm date to resume tests, I’m encouraged that driving lessons. are set to resume.”

“With hundreds of people in East Kilbride waiting to have access to driving lessons, it will be some time until new drivers are on the road.