Post office plan for driving test
Theory exam could be organised by postal workers, under new proposal that aims to cut costs and waiting times
POST office workers in France could be allowed to organise and supervise driving theory tests, in a move that La Poste says could bring down costs and cut waiting lists.
The government is looking to open up the organisation of the theory part of learning to drive, to allow driving inspectors to concentrate exclusively on the practical exam.
According to Le Monde, La Poste hopes to become responsible for 35% of all the driving theory tests taken in France, and the move could generate €15million a year for the group.
It says the new project could bring down the cost of sitting the theory test from €40 to €30 and cut the average waiting time by half, from the current 98 days.
Reforms to the driving test are part of the Loi Macron currently being examined in parliament. La Poste has been looking to diversify in recent years, with new initiatives including home visits for the elderly and delivering supermarket shopping.
There are 540 driving test centres dotted unevenly around France. Central Paris has just one.
