All across the country there are calls for the Theory Test Certificate (TTC) to be extended as they have done in Norther Ireland and yet the dvsa here either ignore or resist the idea of supporting this move.

We are not asking the dvsa to extend it, we know that this is not in their remit. We are asking them to approach HMG with the proposal for a 12 month extension to the TTC.

With the closure of the nations driving schools and test centres there is no way that the existing successful candidate has any chance of taking the practical test and obtaining their licence. Has this happened anywhere else in the country, does it apply to any other successful student at a college a year ago, do they have a time limit on their GCSE certificate and need to resit their exams?  Or an A level student need to go back to college after taking a couple of years out, need to re-enlist at the local 6th form college to do resits?  After 3+ years I can see the wisdom of doing a foundation course to catch up with ideas and possibly new thinking, but the driving theory has not changed. Also let us face it, almost any ADI in the country will tell you that the UK theory test is as about as much use as a chocolate teapot, as most of our pupils do not retain the knowledge due to the nature of the learning medium for the exam.  So why pretend it is to maintain 'theory knowledge' when it usually isn't there in the first place!

How many times has an ADI asked on a lesson - 'What is that road sign over there?'  or ' Can you tell me the sequence of change of the traffic lights?' even 'Where should we not park on the left?' - 'When may we overtake on the left?'  and on, and on , and ........ to get the wrong answer, if any at all?

Dear dvsa, why are you protecting the TTC you are so precious to make these people resit, it is not really worth the paper it is printed on after a couple of hours or so, for so many people. Why not let the ADI/PDI do your work for you, as usual. After all it is the ADI that goes through it with them in a practical and useful learning environment?

Dear dvsa, yet again,  it is not the knowledge from the TTC that helps the candidate to recognise the road-signs, markings and lane positioning. Who teaches them the correct speed on approach to the junction, how to assess the pedestrian crossings and level crossings, or the correct position to be in when they turn - it is the ADI who does all this for you, the ones you usually look down your nose at.

 So many others are arguing about the extension of the driving licence, or the MoT extension which we see as nothing to do with this and a separate argument that we are not using. It is the validity of the knowledge that you claim to be so precious that defeats us.

Is it the thought of receiving MILLIONs more £££££££s from these unlucky candidates who started learning in the wrong year, or just because of their date of birth? These candidates who are losing out because of COVID19 and you wish to make money off their misery and suffering. Some may have lost their jobs, homes and goodness knows what else because of no licence, lost family members or friends due to this vile disease. Can you not understand what you are putting them through without your support? 

Some candidates spend an awful lot of time struggling to obtain the TTC, and in many cases these are the people who fail at school due to lack of learning skills, social background, home life and horrendous nerves on the exam day. These are the people who will be driving the delivery vans and lorries of tomorrow, fixing the drains, building the hospitals then putting in the lighting for the wards and theatres for you and I to use, or sitting behind the till at Aldi, Lidl, Asda or Tesco. These people NEED your HELP now and not when this is over.  Please do not ask them to be the ones to replace the lost revenue from other tests that did not take place and top up your empty coffers Please help them by asking HMG for the extension that they so need to get that licence and help themselves, that is all they are asking and will take pressure off your waiting lists that are out of control. Which will in turn help the economy back onto its feet when this is over. 

PLEASE HELP THEM NOW!

Please sign the petition asking HMG to consider this.

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