An email alert from the DSA concerning the impending examiner strikes in June (this text corrected by DSA on 1 June).
Driving examiner strike – candidates to attend tests
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is urging all practical driving test candidates booked to take a test on the afternoon of either Friday 8 or 15 June to attend as usual.
This is despite the potential for strike action by driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.
The DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said:
"All candidates have the opportunity to change or cancel their practical test by giving the DSA three clear working days notice.
"Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we can’t be sure that they’ll support the strike. So we’re asking candidates who have chosen to keep their test booking for the afternoon of 8 or 15 June to come for their test as normal so it can go ahead if possible.
"We’re sorry for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers."
Candidates who turn up but can’t take their practical test because of strike action will not have to contact the DSA to rebook. They should hear from the agency with a new date within five to ten working days.
If candidates fail to attend they won’t be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses if their tests are cancelled and they’ll need to rebook their own tests.
Theory tests are not affected and will be taking place as planned.
Details about claiming out-of-pocket expenses can be found on Directgov.
Candidates wanting to rebook their practical tests can do so on Directgov.
PCS is determined that the 21st Century should be thrown back into the 19th at all costs.