LOCSU disappointment over driver test contract

A cross-sector bid to provide vision testing services for drivers has been rejected by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in favour of a multiple chain.

Disappointment was expressed by the Optical Confederation (OC), which said the DVLA had confirmed it intended to award the contract to Specsavers instead of the LOCSU-led optical sector bid. Correspondence sent to current providers confirmed the contract, advertised in June last year, would be awarded to Specsavers this week.

Specsavers told Optician it was unable to comment on the contract as a ‘standstill period’ for the decision was still in force.

LOCSU chairman Alan Tinger said: ‘I and everyone associated with the bid are very disappointed with the DVLA’s decision. The objective of our bid was to retain the management and delivery of this significant service, which operates across three nations, within our professions. However, the DVLA have chosen to favour another provider over the sector bid.’