Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing adaptations for people with dyslexia sitting the driving theory test.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is dedicated to ensuring all candidates have equal and fair access to the driving theory test.

The DVSA has worked with the British Dyslexia Association to implement changes to the theory test to make it more accessible for learners allowing them to have their knowledge and understanding checked, without putting them at an undue disadvantage.

These changes include:

• removing continuation questions
• adding more pictures
• replacing words like “increase” and “decrease” with words like “faster” and “slower”
• increasing the font size
• removing red font

Candidates who have reading difficulties can request an English or Welsh voiceover. This provides candidates with headphones and enables them to listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as needed.

Theory test slots are open to all candidates, but those needing extra support, such as candidates with dyslexia, can request other adaptions including:

• additional time to take the test (up to double time)
• someone to read the questions out and record the answers for the candidate
• using an oral language modifier, who will reword the questions making them easier to understand, changing non-technical words and phrases, and the order of a sentence
• taking the test in a separate room

If a dyslexic candidate needs something more bespoke, such as certain colour overlays, the DVSA will aim to meet their need.

The DVSA will continue to look at ways in which it can further improve the theory test for candidates with learning difficulties.