News story

Driving and vehicle examiner strike: November 2015

Driving examiners and vehicle examiners are planning to take strike action at various times on Friday 20 November 2015.

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Driving examiner strike action

Some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union are planning to take strike action all day on Friday 20 November 2015.

Candidates with practical driving tests on these days should still come for their test. Not all driving examiners are union members, and even if they are, they might choose not to go on strike.

If your driving test is cancelled

You won’t have to contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to rebook your appointment if you can’t take your test because of strike action.

DVSA will contact you with a new test appointment within 5 to 10 working days.

Out of pocket expenses

You can claim out of pocket expenses if your test is cancelled, but you must have turned up for your test to be able to do this. If you don’t turn up, you’ll have to rebook your own test and won’t be able to claim expenses.

Theory tests

Theory tests aren’t affected by the strike action and will be taking place as planned.

Vehicle examiner strike action

Some vehicle examiners who are members of:

  • the Prospect union are planning to take strike action on Friday 20 November 2015 from 8am to 11am
  • the PCS union are planning to take strike action all day on Friday 20 November 2015

DVSA is doing everything it can to make sure that vehicle tests will go ahead as planned.

You should follow the usual process and contact your local DVSA network manager if your vehicle examiner doesn’t arrive at your authorised testing facility on the day.

Minimising disruption to customers

Paul Satoor, DVSA’s Interim Chief Executive, said:

We are sorry for any inconvenience and are doing everything we can to minimise any disruption to customers.

Staff signed up to a new standard employment contract in April 2014 in exchange for a lump-sum payment and a 3-year pay deal. This was agreed with the trade unions, and included transitional payments which came to an end on 1 November 2015.

It is disappointing that the trade unions have now chosen to oppose some aspects of the contract.

Published 18 November 2015