Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what minimum English language proficiency requirements apply to (a) approved driving instructors and (b) driving examiners; and whether her Department or the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has conducted any audits or assessments in the last five years of the ability of non-native English-speaking instructors and examiners to communicate effectively in English with learner drivers.

As with other civil service roles, driving examiners must meet the requirements of the post, including being able to communicate effectively to conduct the driving test safely and to the required standards.

To be registered as an approved driving instructor in Great Britain, individuals must meet the statutory requirements for registration and pass the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) qualifying examinations such as the Theory Test, which is only conducted in English or Welsh.

DVSA monitors performance through supervision, standards checks and quality assurance processes and will take appropriate action where required standards are not met.