DSA Business Plan published

Changes to the driver training and testing process, the launch of a new motorcycle test, improved customer service criteria and the introduction of a Certificate of Professional Competence for professional lorry drivers are some of the highlights for the coming year in the Driving Standards Agency's Business Plan 2009/10, published today.

Chief Executive Rosemary Thew said: "Our key focus will be continuing and improving road safety across Great Britain and contributing to the Department for Transport's 'Transport Story' that has five goals:

supporting the economy;
reducing carbon emissions;
promoting safety, security and health;
promoting equality of opportunity;
improving quality of life.

"A major feature of our work this year will be to move forward with a reform of the way that learner drivers are trained and tested following the successful Learning to Drive consultation held in 2008, which attracted over 7,000 responses. The results from this consultation will inform our plans to ensure that new drivers are better prepared to cope with modern driving conditions and how we might best encourage qualified drivers to continue to take training and further education post test, so that our mission of Safe Driving for Life becomes a way of life for all drivers."

DSA also intends to introduce a series of Customer Service Promises as well as making £4m of efficiency savings during the year.