Bournemouth Driving Test Centre was closed recently due to flooding, affecting more than 160 learner drivers due to take their practical driving tests. The flood was caused by rain water leaking through the centre’s ceiling.
It’s unknown when Bournemouth Driving Test Centre will reopen. Here’s what we know…
A total of 166 practical driving tests had to be transferred from Bournemouth to Poole Driving Test Centre following a flood at the Bournemouth test centre on Gillam Road.
The flood happened on 8 February, meaning that driving tests scheduled between February 8 and February 13 had to be moved to the Poole test centre on Harwell Road.
No timescale on Bournemouth Driving Test Centre closure
It’s unknown how long Bournemouth Driving Test Centre will remain closed as Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) officials wait for a report on the extent of the damage.
Chief driving examiner at the DVSA, Mark Winn, said: “The full extent of damage is not yet known. We’re waiting on a report while an investigation into the flooding is carried out.”
“Bournemouth Driving Test Centre has closed temporarily due to flooding. We are waiting on an inspection report about the water damage problem at Bournemouth, but will continue to provide testing from nearby Poole.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will provide an update as soon as we are able,” Mr Winn said.
More than 166 practical tests moved
Learner drivers due to take their test at Bournemouth Driving Test Centre around the time of the flood, say the DVSA has downplayed the number of tests moved. Some claim that hundreds more tests were moved and criticised officials over the poor condition of Bournemouth Driving Test Centre, which also suffered flooding around two years ago.
Some learner drivers bemoaned having to travel to Poole to take their test, arguing that it put them at an unfair advantage as they didn’t know the roads in Poole. Many due to take their test at Bournemouth Driving Test Centre have instead cancelled their test and will rebook once an update on the Bournemouth test centre is released.
One learner driver due to take their test said: “My test was scheduled for February 21st, but I didn’t find out till the 15th that my test would be moved. I was given no reason as to why it was moved, and was unable to contact the centre to ask. I had no time with my instructor to drive in Poole, so I moved my test as I have not driven in Poole before.”
“I know people will say ‘you should be able to drive on any roads’, but when you don’t know any of the junctions, roads or lane layouts in a new place, even as an experienced driver you
would take it cautiously. So, for learner drivers expected to take a test in a new place, it’s not fair to give less than a week’s notice to move a test,” the learner driver added.
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Tags: VCA
