The CBR has fallen behind considerably with the exams due to the corona crisis. The CBR has announced a number of ‘measures’ to eliminate these backlogs, but according to the Bovag, some of those measures are unrealistic. The trade association therefore wants to meet with the CBR and is already making a proposal.
In order to be able to clear up the backlog, the CBR wants to further tighten the standard for the success rate. Now that percentage is on average at the Dutch driving schools at 50 percent, but the CBR wants to boost that to 60 percent. According to director Alexander Pechtold, this should result in 80,000 extra exam places. If the average pass rate has not increased by at least four percent at the end of May, the CBR will raise the minimum age for the practical exam from 17 to 18 years. Furthermore, the CBR is actively recruiting new examiners, the current staff is asked to work overtime and retired examiners are re-engaged.
The Bovag says opposite BNR News Radio however, it is unrealistic to expect the success rate to rise so quickly in such a short time. That is why the Bovag advocates shortening the current exam time. Now there is 55 minutes for a practical exam, according to the Bovag it is better to temporarily make 50 or 45 minutes, so that one examiner can perform one or two extra practical exams per day. It is not known whether the CBR will eventually respond to this idea. The spokesperson for the Bovag reports that a meeting has been requested.
Not only with the practical exams, but also with the theory exams, the backlog is rising by 15,000 exams per week. The CBR currently has no green light for reopening the examination rooms.