As the cost-of-living crisis continues and workers from all sectors are fighting over pay, driving examiners in the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are the latest to join those striking.
Practical driving tests have already faced a huge amount of disruption because of restrictions during the pandemic. More than half a million learners are waiting for their driving test and driving examiner strikes will, unfortunately, add to that list.
As well as the crushing wait for a test, many learners will now be facing extra costs as they continue paying for driving lessons until the next available test date.
While the DVSA has a list of the test centres affected, it won’t know every examiner striking in advance, which means some learners won’t know their test has been cancelled until the day.
Rolling driving examiner strikes will take place between 13 December and 16 January with different test centres affected at different times across the country. You can find information about what services will be affected and where on gov.uk, along with advice about what to do if your test is on a strike day.
While theory tests won’t be affected and will carry on as normal, learner drivers are already facing difficulties with the long wait times between their theory and practical tests. It’s a very real possibility that learners’ theory tests will expire before they can get a practical test slot.
The PCS general secretary said the strikes will be, ”the hardest-hitting industrial action the government will have faced in decades.”
