Driving Tests: Secondary Market

Debate between Lord Hannan of Kingsclere and Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill

Monday 13th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for his question. Many tests are booked by the applicants themselves, and there cannot be any reason why you could not be able to do that, as a potential holder of a driving licence. Equally, driving instructors have to be able to run a business, and one of the benefits of going to a registered driving instructor is that they have some flexibility in tests for their pupils.

[Lord Hannan of Kingsclere (Con)]

My Lords, secondary markets almost always develop as a consequence of state failure, and this is no exception. We all know people affected—I have two children who have been. The state failure, and the explosion in these websites, began with lockdown. Is not the ultimate answer to get these and indeed other government employees to come back to the office?

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

The one thing that driving examiners cannot do is work in an office.