Business drivers targeted in test reforms

Business motorists could be offered continual development as part of a complete overhaul of the learner driver system.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) says that plans to radically reform the way new drivers learn will have additional focus on developing drivers’ skills after they have passed their test.

Its chief executive Rosemary Thew is reported as saying that more needed to be done to help drivers develop and maintain standards for life, especially for those driving for work.

She said it’s about attitude, knowledge and exposure to driving on the road as a third of all fatalities are work related and this element has been under-estimated in the past.

It is important to address drivers’ attitudes towards driving throughout their driving career, she added, and to do this there needs to be continued learning modules – for example, driving for work.

Thew also outlined a four-strand approach, covering education, training, testing and driving for life.

The proposals, which will be open to public consultation, will be published in the next few weeks and follow the announcement of a comprehensive review of driver training in January by the then transport minister, Stephen Ladyman.