The Driving Standards Agency have been looking at the possibility of delivering driving tests from local venues such as leisure centres and hotels.
Following successful trial runs in eight locations and positive feedback from candidates, the DSA plan to extend the scheme to five more areas across the country: Watford, Manchester, Kettering, Glasgow and Worcester. The DSA will identify a number of locations where there is sufficient demand for local test provisions. The DSA are looking for opportunities to work in partnership with the private sector. All tests will still be conducted by agency examiners, but they are inviting businesses who are interested in providing premises to register their interest.
Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, said that they will have to be more flexible and innovative in delivering driving tests to offer the best possible service for potential drivers wherever they live. The agency decided to expand the trial so that more candidates will benefit from a service that is convenient and cost effective.
General Manager of the Motor Schools Association of Great Britain, John Lepine, supports the scheme saying this is the right decision and urges the DSA to continue to expand these improvements across the country and give test centres back to local communities. Whilst Paul Goodman, of Goodman’s School of Motoring, said that it would make life easier.
Driving tests have traditionally been available from more conventional test centres. The DSA previously tried to merge centres, making the distances to travel to a test longer but attracted criticism from instructors due to an increased in cost and pollution.