For the second time in three years, Wellingborough Driving Test Centre faces closure. Following the closure of the old centre at Halfords, Glamis Hall in Goldsmith Road became the official test centre in Wellingborough in September 2016, but the DVSA looks set to close this facility, too. Here’s what we know…
Glamis Hall is currently used for practical driving tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the DVSA has announced that the test centre will cease operations as of April 11. No explanation has been given by the DVSA as to why driving tests are being stopped at Glamis Hall.
Chairman of Glamis Hall For All, Heather Saunders, said: “We’ve not been told why the centre will close. We’re very disappointed indeed that the DVSA have decided to close the overspill test centre.”
“We have built up an excellent relationship with the examiners and driving instructors who have used our premises twice a week for the past two and half years and will be very sad to see them go,” Saunders said.
“We had hoped the DVSA might increase the amount of days they used the hall as a test centre as we understand that there is always a long waiting list in Wellingborough and were surprised to receive notice of termination by email recently with no reason stated,” said Saunders.
“We will be meeting with our MP, Peter Bone, as soon as possible to see if he can help us have this decision reversed,” Saunders added.
DVSA declines to comment on Wellingborough Driving Test Centre closure
When asked by the Northants Telegraph why the Wellingborough Driving Test Centre was being closed, the DVSA offered no explanation. Director of operations for the DVSA, Richard Hennessy, said: “The DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving. The temporary driving test centre at Wellingborough only opens for two days a week.”
“Using the nearby test centres at Northampton and Kettering, we will be able to provide all candidates with a more consistent service, seven days a week. Candidates can take their test at neighbouring driving test centres, which have lower waiting times than Wellingborough and capacity to accommodate additional test bookings,” said Hennessy.
Wellingborough Driving Test Centre pass rates
Wellingborough driving test centre has a higher success rate than Northampton and Kettering. Between April and September 2018, of the 393 learners who took their driving
test at Glamis Hall, 59.8 percent passed. This is far higher than the 52 percent pass rate at Kettering and the 48.9 percent success rate at Northampton.
Despite Wellingborough having a large population, where there is great demand for driving tests, the DVSA has said that closing the centre will enable them to offer candidates a far more consistent service at nearby facilities.
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