Testing time for driving examiners

ALMERIA province driving examiners joined others in a nationwide strike that started last month.

More than1,200 tests have been suspended since then, affecting more than 700 L-drivers, said civil servants’ union CSIF.

Demonstrating Almeria examiners pointed out that there are now only 12 examiners, compared to 17 in the past and called for safer conditions, calling for changes in the road test.

They should be paid danger money, they argued. They are on the road eight hours a day, exposed to accidents and ‘insults, threats and even physical violence from pupils.’  

The day before the Almeria demonstration an examiner was attacked after failing a pupil who began to insult him and refused to leave the vehicle.

The way that pupils receive results needs to be changed, examiners maintained. At present, results are given verbally at the end of the test but the examiners want them announced the following day as they are with the theory exam. Failing that, they should be available in a safe location and not face-to-face with pupils, they said.