DVSA has confirmed that it is in “advanced talks” with a new landlord on the Cressex Business Park to open a new driving test provision in High Wycombe.
This follows a campaign from local ADIs after the current DTC on Wellington Road was announced for closure on 12 March. A campaign called Save Wycombe Driving Test Centre was set up by instructors, who worked hard to engage with the DVSA on suitable alternative sites
Local MP Steve Baker spoke in parliament about this issue yesterday. Rachel Maclean, parliamentary under-secretary at the Department for Transport, said: “I’m delighted to be able to confirm today that the DVSA is progressing a proposal to maintain driving tests in High Wycombe and the agency is at an advanced stage of discussions with a new landlord.
“The current driving test centre in High Wycombe is a large, two-storey building on the business park and this site can accommodate 15+ driving examiners, but just two work there permanently.
“The accommodation is much too large and it does attract high running costs, so it does make little financial sense to the DVSA or its customers to continue to operate out of such a site.
“The DVSA is now progressing with a proposal to maintain driving tests and these premises are also located on the business park, the location of the existing centre, meaning minimal disruption during transition to the new site.”
Steve Baker MP said: “It’s fantastic news and I pay tribute to the driving instructors for the brilliant campaign they’ve run and all the research they have done and their engagement with the DVSA.”
DVSA has stated that it still needs planning permission to operate a DTC from the new site. If planning falls through, DVSA will continue looking for a suitable site. In the meantime, local test candidates should go to Slough or Uxbridge.
