Angus driving instructors have said that a trial to bring driving tests closer to candidates “bodes well” for tests in Arbroath and Forfar.
As well as using conventional driving test centres, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) wants to explore using other venues to deliver tests, such as local authority buildings, leisure centres or hotels. The move could also open up the possibility of tests happening in other Angus towns.
The DSA is planning trials in seven areas across England, Scotland and Wales that do not have a test centre but still have significant demand for tests.
Angus instructor Lez Wells, who co-ordinated the fight against the closure of the county’s centres, said the trials would strengthen the future of test centres in Arbroath and Forfar.
“Everything that’s happening we see as extremely positive with a view to Arbroath and Forfar,” he said. “They promised us this and it’s almost six months since the promises were made but yes, everything is very, very positive, and we are delighted to hear that they are running these trials and look forward to hearing more about it, because it really bodes well for us.
“When this all blew up we were told quite categorically closed, end of story, no discussion. When we raised the campaign we were told, ‘OK, we will think about it’ but the government, and the DSA in particular, in the past have made all kinds of promises and never kept them.
“So although they said yes, we’ll make consultation, yes, we will look into other methods of conducting tests in temporary places such as car parks and shopping centres, we didn’t see any proof that that was actually happening.
“What we are actually seeing now is proof that they are actually trying it out to see if it will work so that bodes well.”
Mr Wells added that it was a “massive achievement.”
Arbroath and Forfar test centres were two of a substantial number of UK sites to be axed due to Westminster cuts. However, that decision was revoked and now plans to use community hubs to deliver tests are being mooted as a compromise.
The trials will be monitored to assess any impact on levels of customer service and the cost of delivery, as well as making sure the integrity of the test is maintained. The DSA will then decide whether the trials can be rolled out to other areas without a local test centre where there is significant demand, as well as suitable test routes and venues.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user tgraham