Flintshire driving instructors hope test centre could return to Mold

Jul 21 2011 by Eleanor Barlow, Flintshire Chronicle

DRIVING instructors in Mold are urging people to support a bid to bring a test centre back to the town.

Last month the Chronicle reported that learners were facing months of waiting to take their tests in Chester after the Mold centre closed in March last year.

But the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is to carry out a trial scheme which would see part-time centres set up.

Driving instructor Paula Head, who runs Headstart Driving School, said: “The trials are due to start in England soon but the location for the trial scheme in Wales hasn’t been decided yet. If they could run it in Mold it would be absolutely perfect.

“Apparently the scheme would use a Government building to run the centre part-time.

“We already have the routes and we can show we have the need for this centre. It is all ready to go.”

Paula and her fellow instructors are appealing for residents to write to the DSA to ask for Mold to be chosen as the location for the trial.

She added: “The closure of the Mold centre has had a massive impact.

“The wear and tear on the car is worse going to Chester and it costs more in petrol.

“Students have to pay for two hours of lessons instead of one because of the time it takes to get to Chester and they can expect a wait of up to three months when booking a test.”

Mold councillor Chris Bithell is also supporting the idea.

He was due to put forward a notice of motion at Mold Town Council last night (Wednesday) to ask the authority to call on the DSA to reopen a test centre.

He said: “The service is being missed and is having an impact on learner drivers and instructors.

“This gives us some hope that we might be able to get a centre back in the town.”

For further information, visit www.dft.gov.uk/dsa.