How can the D.S.A. qualify charging £90.00 an hour for a driving test?
Although the examiner is with you for 40 minutes, the time he spends on the test is about an hour by the time he’s done the paperwork etc.. So you’re paying for an hour of someone who’s had to go through a great deal of training to become an examiner, so you’re paying for their skill. Add to that the rent and running costs of the test centre plus all the overheads of the Driving Standards Agency who organise and run the tests (as well as much more) – add to that a little profit (everyone’s entitled to make profit for their living, including companies and the government who is acting for the tax payer) and you soon find it’s easy to get to £62. I see your logic about the £90 per hour, but that is not actually what they are charging – they are charging £62 for an hour. I’m not defending it – but you asked the question ‘why’ – this is your answer!
I agree with you! The test is very expensive! I sat my test in December and it was £56.50 but my friend informed me they have put it up again. I think a lot of it is to cover administration costs, and plus, they send you your full licence free of charge when you give them your provisional licence and normally your full licence arrives within a week. It is also because of the number of teenage drivers who cause accidents and speed once they have passed their test. I think the DSA have the idea that putting the test up in price will discourage teenagers because of the price, but personally, I don’t think that will work. I think it makes it too difficult for those who do obide the rules! I hope you pass your driving test when you sit it! Best of Luck!
