No more foreign language interpreters / voiceovers on test from 2014

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) consulted earlier this year on a series of proposals reviewing the level of foreign language support available to candidates.

Almost 2,000 people had their say on the proposals.

More than 70% of the people who responded supported the withdrawal of foreign language voiceovers and interpreters on tests.

Many people agreed that a lack of understanding of the national language meant that some drivers may not be able to:

  • understand traffic signs
  • speak with traffic enforcement officers
  • read details of the rules of the road

Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, said: We want to make sure that all drivers have the right skills to use our roads safely and responsibly. One area where we can help ensure this is by requiring all test candidates to take the test in English or Welsh, the national languages.

This will help to ensure that all new drivers will be able to understand traffic updates or emergency information when they pass their test. It will also help us to reduce the risk of fraud by stopping interpreters from indicating the correct answers to theory test questions

CBT LOCATIONS

Weekday and weekend CBT courses are held at CRAWLEY and EAST GRINSTEAD.