On Thursday 18th June, Fay Jones MP and Cllr James Evans met with Baroness Vere, a Minister at the Department for Transport, to discuss the planned closure of the Llandrindod Wells Driving Test Centre. The Department for Transport oversee the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency, who administer the driving test centre.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister confirmed that the site will close permanently and that the DVSA are not seeking an alternative location in Llandrindod Wells. Fay made clear that the loss of the driving test centre, would be detrimental to the many young people in rural Mid-Wales that rely on the test centre and the Minister was sympathetic to that.
The DVSA had previously stated that the test routes available at Llandrindod Wells are limited. Additionally, there are two alternative centres within 25 miles of Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Newtown, and both have capacity to service additional demand. Both centres test five days a week and are better placed to provide meaningful test routes. This will allow them to test novice drivers on higher speed roads and will ensure safer drivers in the future.
Furthermore, Llandrindod Wells has one of the highest pass rates in the UK currently and attracts high levels of test centre ‘tourism’ from all over the UK. Of the 723 car tests and 17 motorcycle tests carried out at Llandrindod in 2019/2020, around 80% of candidates have a postcode equal to or nearer to another test centre. Many of these candidates travel in excess of two hours each way to take their test at Llandrindod.
In light of this decision, it was agreed that the DVSA and Department for Transport would work with local authorities to examine possible upgrades to testing at Brecon and Newtown. Whilst this will go some way to compensate those who are disappointed with the decision of the DVSA, Fay will continue to work with all of those impacted to try and reduce disruption in the coming months.
Commenting after the meeting, Fay said:
“While I am grateful to the Minister for meeting me and providing me with greater clarity around the test centre, I am deeply disappointed by this decision. I have received many emails from learners and local driving instructors but the DVSA’s mind is clearly made up. I will now investigate whether alternatives can be provided in Brecon.”