Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many penalties have been issued for using a rental e-scooter without holding a provisional or full UK driving licence with a category Q entitlement in each of the last three years.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government does not hold centralised data on the number of penalties issued for using rental e-scooters without a valid driving licence. Local police forces are best placed to provide information on any penalties issued in their respective areas.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow the use of privately owned e-scooters on public roads prior to completion of rental e-scooter trials in 2028.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles, which will include e-scooters, when parliamentary time allows. We understand the importance of providing a clear legislative timeline and we are working with colleagues across Government to deliver this.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local authorities verify that rental e-scooter users have a provisional or full UK driving licence with a category Q entitlement when operating trials in their areas.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department has issued clear guidance for local authorities and operators participating in e-scooter trials, which includes a requirement for driving licence verification of all users. Compliance with this guidance is a condition of the legal order that enables each trial to proceed.
Before renting an e-scooter, users are required to provide their name, driving licence number, and a photograph of their licence. Operators must then confirm the validity of each licence, either through automated licence-checking systems or manual verification by their customer service teams. These checks help ensure that only individuals with a valid driving licence are permitted to participate in the trials.
Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that any operator they appoint adheres to all trial requirements. The Department does not carry out independent verification of operator compliance.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will consider the potential merits of allowing the use of privately owned e-scooters if covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Private e-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads as they meet the definition of a ‘motor vehicle’ under the Road Traffic Act 1988. As such, they must comply with all applicable legal requirements, not only the need for motor vehicle insurance policy.
The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows, and will consult on any new proposed regulations, including on insurance requirements, before they come into force.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Takata airbags no drive recall notice on (a) learner drivers and (b) practical driving test wait times.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As soon as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency became aware of the issue, proactive communications were shared to all learner drivers who had a test booked and their driving instructors, clarifying that if a test had to be postponed as a result, the usual 10-day short notice conditions would be waived for them. The majority of vehicles were rectified before attending for test or an alternative vehicle was used. Due to the very small numbers who have been unable to go ahead with their test until a later date, there has been no impact on driving test wait times.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many learner drivers did not attend their practical driving test (a) nationally, (b) in Norfolk and (c) in North West Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The number of learner drivers who fail to attend their driving test represents just 3% of all tests taken accounting for around 60,000 tests. With unprecedented demand for tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is doing all it can to further reduce unused test slots and encourage learners to inform them so that the test slot can be utilised.
DVSA issues text reminders to learners between 2 and 12 days beforehand to help learners plan for their test. Learners can also get email alerts, check their test details online, and find resources on the GOV.UK website and through the official "Ready to Pass?" campaign. If a test is cancelled within 10 days of their test date, the learner loses their driving test fee.
The tables below show how many learner drivers did not attend their practical driving test (a) nationally, (b) in Norfolk and (C) in North West Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years.
Financial Year 2021/22 | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 1,465,747 | 61,503 | 4.20 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 16,051 | 502 | 3.13 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 5,457 | 170 | 3.12 |
Financial Year 2022/23 | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 1,609,583 | 62,530 | 3.88 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 20,941 | 965 | 4.61 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 6,648 | 304 | 4.57 |
Financial Year 2023/24 | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 1,783,045 | 59,483 | 3.34 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 22,596 | 983 | 4.35 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 6,927 | 295 | 4.26 |
Financial Year 2024/25 | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 1,768,258 | 52,054 | 2.94 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 21,360 | 666 | 3.12 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 7,275 | 245 | 3.37 |
Financial Year 2025/26 (year to date) | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 904,174 | 29,207 | 3.23 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 9,221 | 295 | 3.20 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 3,361 | 131 | 3.90 |
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of learner drivers not attending their practical driving test.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The number of learner drivers who fail to attend their driving test represents just 3% of all tests taken accounting for around 60,000 tests. With unprecedented demand for tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is doing all it can to further reduce unused test slots and encourage learners to inform them so that the test slot can be utilised.
DVSA issues text reminders to learners between 2 and 12 days beforehand to help learners plan for their test. Learners can also get email alerts, check their test details online, and find resources on the GOV.UK website and through the official "Ready to Pass?" campaign. If a test is cancelled within 10 days of their test date, the learner loses their driving test fee.
The tables below show how many learner drivers did not attend their practical driving test (a) nationally, (b) in Norfolk and (C) in North West Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years.
Financial Year 2021/22 | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 1,465,747 | 61,503 | 4.20 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 16,051 | 502 | 3.13 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 5,457 | 170 | 3.12 |
Financial Year 2022/23 | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 1,609,583 | 62,530 | 3.88 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 20,941 | 965 | 4.61 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 6,648 | 304 | 4.57 |
Financial Year 2023/24 | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 1,783,045 | 59,483 | 3.34 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 22,596 | 983 | 4.35 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 6,927 | 295 | 4.26 |
Financial Year 2024/25 | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 1,768,258 | 52,054 | 2.94 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 21,360 | 666 | 3.12 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 7,275 | 245 | 3.37 |
Financial Year 2025/26 (year to date) | Total tests completed | Failed to attend | Percentage |
National | 904,174 | 29,207 | 3.23 |
Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road) | 9,221 | 295 | 3.20 |
North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn) | 3,361 | 131 | 3.90 |
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 69881 on Transport: Cost Benefit Analysis, whether her Department will make business case documents available for each scheme ahead of the Full Business Case stage.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
For the 50 schemes referenced in the Secretary of State’s statement on 8 July 2025, detailed Green Book analyses, costs, and benefit cost ratios for each scheme have not been published as a single package
The scheme-level business cases and economic assessments for projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio are published as they are finalised and reach the appropriate stage in the investment process. Summary information on costs and benefit cost ratios for major transport schemes may also be found in the Department for Transport’s Major Projects Portfolio, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/major-projects-data
In the case of Major Road Network schemes, the business cases belong to the relevant local authorities. This information is therefore available directly from them, once a scheme is approved at the Full Business Case (FBC) stage. Whilst we encourage them to publish these, it is their decision whether to publish their business cases on their respective websites.
Detailed information on Strategic Road Network (SRN) schemes is available in the applications for planning consent, available on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. Decisions to select schemes were based on evidence assessed against a wide range of criteria, in line with the HM Treasury Green book and the Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance.
More information about rail enhancement schemes over the SR period is featured in the UK infrastructure pipeline published on 11 July, which government has committed to update regularly.
There are no plans to publish officials’ advice to Ministers regarding the schemes in question. As each scheme progresses, further documentation is released and made available on gov.uk as appropriate. The Government is committed to transparency and will continue to make business case documents available in line with Green Book and Treasury guidance as schemes move forward.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 69881 on Transport: Cost Benefit Analysis, whether detailed Green Book analyses, costs, and benefit cost ratios for each scheme (a) had been calculated at the point of selection and (b) have been calculated.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
For the 50 schemes referenced in the Secretary of State’s statement on 8 July 2025, detailed Green Book analyses, costs, and benefit cost ratios for each scheme have not been published as a single package
The scheme-level business cases and economic assessments for projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio are published as they are finalised and reach the appropriate stage in the investment process. Summary information on costs and benefit cost ratios for major transport schemes may also be found in the Department for Transport’s Major Projects Portfolio, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/major-projects-data
In the case of Major Road Network schemes, the business cases belong to the relevant local authorities. This information is therefore available directly from them, once a scheme is approved at the Full Business Case (FBC) stage. Whilst we encourage them to publish these, it is their decision whether to publish their business cases on their respective websites.
Detailed information on Strategic Road Network (SRN) schemes is available in the applications for planning consent, available on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. Decisions to select schemes were based on evidence assessed against a wide range of criteria, in line with the HM Treasury Green book and the Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance.
More information about rail enhancement schemes over the SR period is featured in the UK infrastructure pipeline published on 11 July, which government has committed to update regularly.
There are no plans to publish officials’ advice to Ministers regarding the schemes in question. As each scheme progresses, further documentation is released and made available on gov.uk as appropriate. The Government is committed to transparency and will continue to make business case documents available in line with Green Book and Treasury guidance as schemes move forward.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 69881 on Transport: Cost Benefit Analysis, what criteria was used to select each project; and when she will publish details.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
For the 50 schemes referenced in the Secretary of State’s statement on 8 July 2025, detailed Green Book analyses, costs, and benefit cost ratios for each scheme have not been published as a single package
The scheme-level business cases and economic assessments for projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio are published as they are finalised and reach the appropriate stage in the investment process. Summary information on costs and benefit cost ratios for major transport schemes may also be found in the Department for Transport’s Major Projects Portfolio, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/major-projects-data
In the case of Major Road Network schemes, the business cases belong to the relevant local authorities. This information is therefore available directly from them, once a scheme is approved at the Full Business Case (FBC) stage. Whilst we encourage them to publish these, it is their decision whether to publish their business cases on their respective websites.
Detailed information on Strategic Road Network (SRN) schemes is available in the applications for planning consent, available on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. Decisions to select schemes were based on evidence assessed against a wide range of criteria, in line with the HM Treasury Green book and the Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance.
More information about rail enhancement schemes over the SR period is featured in the UK infrastructure pipeline published on 11 July, which government has committed to update regularly.
There are no plans to publish officials’ advice to Ministers regarding the schemes in question. As each scheme progresses, further documentation is released and made available on gov.uk as appropriate. The Government is committed to transparency and will continue to make business case documents available in line with Green Book and Treasury guidance as schemes move forward.