FOI Request - Payments to UCM for Driving Theory Test Delivery

Summary

A request was made for payment details and contracts between the Department of Infrastructure and University College Isle of Man regarding driving theory tests. The authority provided some information but withheld specific fee structures and pricing methodologies under commercial interest exemptions.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2025-10-21 and responded to on 2025-11-19.
• The outcome was classified as 'Some information sent but part exempt'.
• Specific details on fees per test and total payments were withheld to protect commercial interests.
• The Department of Infrastructure determined that the public interest in maintaining negotiating leverage outweighed the interest in transparency.
• The response included 6 pages across 2 documents.

Data Disclosed

• 2025-10-21
• 2025-11-19
• 5021241
• 6 pages
• 2 documents
• section 30
• section 30(2)(a)

Exemptions Cited

• Section 30 of the Freedom of Information Act (prejudice to economic/financial/commercial interests)
• Section 30(2)(a) (trade secrets)

Original Request

Good Afternoon, Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information: 1. The total amount paid by the Department of Infrastructure, or any other government department, to the University College Isle of Man for the delivery of driving theory tests for each of the last three financial years, or calendar years if easier. Please include how much is paid per test. 2. Any contractual or service-level agreements currently in place between the Department and UCM relating to the provision of driving theory tests. Please provide the information in electronic format. Thank you for your assistance. Kind regards, Mark

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 5021241 20 November 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 21 October 2025, which states:

"Good Afternoon,

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information:

1. The total amount paid by the Department of Infrastructure, or any other government department, to the University College Isle of Man for the delivery of driving theory tests for each of the last three financial years, or calendar years if easier. Please include how much is paid per test.

2. Any contractual or service-level agreements currently in place between the Department and UCM relating to the provision of driving theory tests.

Please provide the information in electronic format.

Thank you for your assistance.

Kind regards,

Our response to your request is as follows: I have enclosed copies of the information.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt from disclosure under section 30 of the Act as disclosure [WOULD/WOULD BE LIKELY] to prejudice [the economic interests of the island.] [the financial interests of the island.] [the ability of the Government to manage the national economy.] [the commercial interests of person (including [your public authority.])] Disclosure of the agreed fees between the two Government Departments would reveal detailed cost structures, pricing methodologies and negotiated rates that relate directly to the Department's contractual and commercial operations.
Releasing this information would:

Undermine the Department's ability to negotiate future contracts or pricing arrangements on equal footing.

Give third-party suppliers or organisations insight into internal pricing strategies, enabling them to gain an unfair advantage in future tenders or negotiations.

Potentially distort the market for similar services, forcing the Department into less favourable commercial terms. [While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt from disclosure under section 30(2)(a) of the Act as it constitutes a trade secret.] As section 30 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure Promoting transparency in how public funds are used.

Assisting public understanding of inter-departmental arrangements.

Increasing accountability in decision-making.

Factors in favour of withholding Strong public interest in ensuring the Government can negotiate effectively and obtain value for money when procuring services.

Releasing commercially sensitive fee information would significantly weaken the Department's negotiating position in future agreements, resulting in potential financial detriment to the taxpayer.

Disclosure could discourage open and frank discussions in future commercial arrangements between Departments and partner organisations.

Harm to commercial interests may ultimately reduce competition and inflate future costs.

In taking these factors into account the theDepartment of Infrastructure determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Please quote the reference number 5021241 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

MEMORANDUM

To :

From
:

cc :

Ref :

Date : 6th May 2014 Subject : Service Level Agreement between IOM College and the Department of Infrastructure (Driver and Vehicle Test Centre)

Financial Standing.

In respect of Online Payments for the Driving Theory Test • The DOI will provide the Isle of Man College with a BUCIT report detailing the transactions to be processed on that business day, to allow the Isle of Man College to reconcile the payments. The report would be produced once daily for the transactions paid on the previous working day and the weekend and/or bank or public holidays. • The DOI will collect and bank the funds for online payments. • The DOI will advise the Isle of Man College if any payments are subsequently not received. •
The monthly invoice from DOI will list: • For funds receipted at the Isle of Man College, the College will retain

per car or motorcycle theory test. The College will journal
per car or motorcycle theory test to the DOI. • For funds receipted by the DOI, the DOI will retain
per car or motorcycle theory test. The DOI will journal per car or motorcycle theory test to the Isle of Man College. • Using the same principle, the College would retain the for motorcycle instructor theory tests. For the car instructor theory test, the College would retain and journal to the DOI.

Driver and Vehicle Test Centre Ballafletcher Road Braddan Douglas, Isle of Man IM4 4QJ Telephone 627431 Fax 611318 Email mark.pattison@gov.im Department of Infrastructure Rheynn Bun-troggalys Chief Examiner , EngTech MSOE MIRTE. Section 30(2)(b) Section 30(2)(b) Section 30(2)(b) Section 30(2)(b) Section 30(2) Section 30(2)(b) Section 30(2)(b) Section 25 Section 25 Section 25 Section 25

Customer Service Level.

Driving Theory Test Time Allowance and Scheduling of Tests

Standard test

Current time allowance for 50 questions
57 minutes Current time allowed for hazard perception test
15 minutes

Total 72 minutes Candidates entitled to Special Access Arrangements

Special candidates requirements 50 questions 71 ¼ minutes
Current time allowed for hazard perception test
15 minutes

Total 86 ¼ minutes

Session times (72 minutes) including hazard perception

          Normal time exams            Exams with access arrangements

Mon, Thurs, Fri – am

09.00 – 10.12*

09.00 – 10.26* Mon, Thurs, Fri – pm

16.00 – 17.12*

16.00 – 17.26*

Saturday am – Session 1

09.00 – 10.12 do not schedule candidates with

extra time in Sat am session 1 Session 2

10.30 – 11.42

10.30 – 11.56*

*The test times can be altered by mutual agreement between the Isle of Man College and the candidates. Whilst not exclusively referring to candidates entitled to Special Access Arrangements (SAA), the SAA exams may take place during periods not listed above

ADI Tests

Time allowed in

No extra time permitted

     minutes

Current time allowance for 100 questions 90 Plus Hazard Perception Test 15

105

Session Times are by arrangement between the Isle of Man College and the Instructor.

This document will be reviewed on the date at the point when revised charges are being proposed and being prepared for Tynwald approval.

Signed on behalf of IOM College.

______ Date ________

Signed on behalf of the DOI.

______ Date ________