Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of expedited tests for people who require a driving license to secure (a) training or (b) employment in key worker roles.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA’s) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards.

For practical driving test candidates, DVSA is still offering the Mobile Emergency Worker (MEW) process for those in critical roles. The process, which was implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, is for candidates who are a critical worker in England or Wales and work for one of the following:

• the NHS - in health or social care
• the emergency services
• a local council

They must also:

• need to drive as part of their job (commuting not included)
• respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of their job

The MEW application process has been shared with all applicable emergency organisations. Candidates who meet this eligibility criteria and want a test, should talk to their employer, who will need to apply on their employee’s behalf.