Thursday 08 October 2015
Environment response to Guernsey Press media query
Media Enquiry from Guernsey Press:
We are being told that some people are having to wait three weeks to get driving licences when the usual target is seven to 10 days. We are told there are also longer waiting times for CBT tests.
Please could you tell me if this is correct and, if so, why that is?
I would also welcome any other points that the department might like to make relating to this.
Environment Department Response:
The Environment Department is responsible for the provision of a wide range of driver licensing and driving test services. This includes the issuing of provisional and full driving licences, conducting of theory and practical driving tests across the whole spectrum of driving licences (including motorcycle, car, heavy goods, bus and vocational licences) and the provision of instruction for learner motorcyclists through the Guernsey Motorcycle Training Scheme (GMTS).
Ordinarily, waiting times for tests or instruction and processing times for licence applications in Guernsey are extremely short as compared to many other jurisdictions and the Department prides itself in offering what it considers to be a proficient and efficient service to its customers. Historically there has been some difficulty in securing a site big enough for the requirements of motorcycle training scheme and delays in the provision of this service have occurred from time to time.
However, every service that we provide is reliant upon the availability of suitably trained or qualified staff. For a variety of reasons, there have been a number of challenges in recent weeks that have affected our ability to deliver these services in the timely manner to which our clients have become accustomed.
With regard to the issuing of driving licences, the Environment Department endeavours to post out a new driving licence within 7-10 working days from receipt of an application, provided all submitted documentation is correct.
In recent weeks the Department has been managing a staffing shortfall whilst training up new staff and this has coincided with a very busy period for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Team. As a consequence a slight backlog in the production of driving licences developed which was most unfortunate and for which the Department apologises. The Department did, where possible, advise clients to allow a period of 10-15 working days to receive their new driving licence. It should be noted that Driving Licence holders are able to apply to renew a full driving licence two months and provisional licences one month prior to the expiry date denoted on their current driving licence.
The Department is pleased to advise that the majority of the 'back log' has already been cleared and, therefore, driving licences will be issued within normal service delivery targets imminently.
Similarly the Driving Test Service is currently operating without its full contingency of driving examiners and so is currently experiencing longer than usual delays in the availability of driving tests. The current waiting list is now approximately eight weeks which is still below the typical 8-10 week waiting period in the UK. Nonetheless, the Department is working extremely hard to try and access additional qualified support from outside of the Island to assist with the current shortfall in the number of available driving test slots.
The Guernsey Motorcycle Training Scheme (GMTS) provides compulsory basic training to learner motorcyclists on behalf of the Environment Department from its site at the former St Peter Port School. All new riders are required to undertake and pass a training course before being permitted to circulate a motorcycle on island roads with 'L-Plates'. Waiting times are usually between 6-8 weeks but this has recently risen closer to 12 weeks. There are a number of factors that may have contributed to this increase; including access restrictions to the current training site, the availability of trainers to undertake (or candidates to attend) any additional courses outside of normal course times and an increase in the number of learner motorcyclists with no recent experience of riding a motorcycle being required to undertake the full training course.
The GMTS will be discussing potential means of addressing this rise in the number of candidates awaiting training at its regular monthly meeting to be held next week and will be liaising with the Department in this regard thereafter.
Contact Information:
Colin Le Page, Principal Traffic Officer (Strategy and Projects)
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
