Welsh speakers ‘face injustice’ if they want to sit driving test in the language
Learner drivers face an “injustice” if they want to sit their driving tests through the medium of Welsh, it has been claimed.
The Welsh Language Commissioner came to the conclusion following an investigation into the implementation of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) Welsh Language Scheme.
Aled Roberts said that the agency is acting contrary to its commitment to treat Welsh and English on a basis of equality.
The report said DVSA failed on the following three issues:
- The percentage of Welsh-medium driving tests cancelled was almost three times higher than the percentage of English-medium tests cancelled.
- Applicants had to wait five to six weeks longer before taking a practical driving test in Welsh compared to English.
- If an individual wants to apply to sit a practical driving test through the medium of Welsh, they must state that they have ‘special requirements’.
The DVSA’s Welsh Language Scheme, prepared under the Welsh Language Act 1993, states that it “will treat the Welsh and English languages equally”, that “driving tests in Welsh are available at every […] test centre in Wales”, and that “the standard and quality of our services are consistent throughout Wales”.
It also states that “candidates can choose to take a practical test in Welsh at the time of booking and we will provide a Welsh-speaking examiner.”
The Commissioner decided to carry out an investigation after becoming aware of a number of social media messages in September 2019 expressing concerns about the availability of Welsh-medium driving tests.
Aled Roberts, said: “It has been ten years since the Senedd passed a law giving official status to the Welsh language in Wales and establishing the principle of rights to use Welsh.
“But, as this case proves, there are still far too many exceptions that undermine these objectives. It became clear as I carried out the investigation that the DVSA’s practices do not come close to meeting its commitments to the people of Wales in its Welsh Language Scheme.
“The reality of the situation is that our young people are forced to put up with a less favourable treatment if they want a Welsh language service in Wales today, and are forced to declare ‘special requirements’ if they want to use Welsh. It is very easy to see how such an experience from a young age could negatively impact their confidence to use Welsh as they get older.”
‘Less likely’
The Commissioner’s research suggests that Welsh speakers are less likely to use Welsh language services if they believe that this will lead to any delay, unpleasantness or difficulty.
When investigating, the Commissioner heard about the experience of a young woman from the Rhyl area who wished to sit her driving test through the medium of Welsh being informed two days before the test that a Welsh examiner would not be available. The family was disappointed with this and with the DVSA’s offer to continue with an English examiner or wait over five weeks for a Welsh examiner.
Aled Roberts said: “The underlying message given to our young people is that they should use English if they want to take their driving test. It is clear from the low level of take-up of Welsh-medium tests that this nudge influences individuals’ language choice. This certainly does not reflect the DVSA’s public pledge to treat both languages equally.’
In his report, the Commissioner recommends that the DVSA undertakes a review of the way in which Welsh-medium tests are carried out and prepares an action plan to ensure that practical Welsh language driving tests are offered proactively and equally in the future.
Aled Roberts added: “I am presenting these recommendations to the DVSA, but I also have a wider message: that the Welsh Government should consider the damning evidence in this report and acknowledge that our young people are experiencing an injustice.
“The only way to resolve this injustice, in my view, is to bring the DVSA under the Welsh language standards regime, and to protect the rights of applicants to take their driving tests in Welsh without suffering unfavourable treatment. This would also ensure that I as Commissioner could enforce compliance rather than recommend it.”
‘Polls results’
Opinion poll results published by the Commissioner in his report ‘Stepping forward’ (September 2021) show that Welsh speakers’ experiences have improved as a result of Welsh language standards.
A spokesperson for the DVSA said: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.
“We assisted the Welsh Language Commissioner’s investigation by providing information showing how DVSA currently supports Welsh speakers.
“We have already agreed to conduct regular internal audits on our Welsh language scheme and how we provide driving tests in Welsh, to ensure we continue to improve the service we provide.
“We will now consider the Commissioner’s full, final report and respond in due course.”
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An inappropriately begrudging response by the DVSA if I may say so.
To go with the inappropriate picture of Driving test. Oregon Department of Transportation. Explains the left hand drive car and sunny dispositions!
That’s clickbait journalism for you.
This a piece of cake in 1980s? Was not even an issue.
I took my test in Welsh twice in 1983. Passed the second time. So no favouritism for Cymry Cymraeg!.The examiner did seem in a better mood the second time, as I stalled at the same roundabout but that time he just smiled! I thought ‘tri cynnig i Gymro’ but got a pleasant surprise.
It was 3 cynnig imi! Think that same examiner had had enough!!!!!
What’s the point of the Welsh Language Act when agency like the DVSA , which is a public funded body I might add, can skirt the act with impunity?
If English & Welsh are indeed “equal” languages in Welsh Law provisions must be made to aid speakers of both. And if any loopholes are used to deny hinder or prevent Welsh speakers must be closed by Welsh Government.
Welsh speakers are taxpayers too. They deserve the right to use their language without fear or prejudice in their own country. #Cymraeg ❤️🏴
The problem is that the DVSA is a English government organisation which operates in Wales. The English government have little understanding of their responsibilities under the Welsh language act and even less care to want to comply. The DVSA needs to be devolved if the Welsh language is going to receive an equal footing.
The only examples given in this article are ones that seem as though they’re caused by a lack of Welsh-speaking driving instructors/testers. That’s a problem that needs to be corrected, though it’s not an example of Welsh-speakers being set a different standard than English-speakers. The only thing in the article that sounds vague like a discriminatory choice is making Welsh-speakers have to say they have “Special Requirements”. Hardly world-ending, and something easily fixed by making it standard, on an application form, to choose your language requirement (i.e. no default assumption that the test is in English). Seems pretty easy to… Read more »
I took my test I was blotter. Said siarad Cymraeg at the end, passed! Happy days.
Although it’d be great to have a better provision provided for Welsh speakers (an improvement in on-the-job Welsh lang training for professionals who don’t think theirs is up to scratch, plus a standard message of ‘*whatever service* ar gael trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg’ would MASSIVELY boost this), it’s a tad hyperbolic to describe this (specifically) as an “injustice”. Still, hope to see improvements.
Colonialism sucks… who knew?
I taught driving in wales (Anglesey and Wrexham); areas for 30;years and every time someone was going to take a driving test i would ask them would you like to take your test in the Welsh language, out of the thousands of driving tests I only had a handful of pupils ( less than ten) who decided to take their test through the medium of Welsh.