Angus driving instructors have backed a scheme that could see tests conducted from libraries, community centres and supermarkets.
The proposals, which will be formally announced by the Driving Standards Agency, come after months of pressure from the industry to keep a service for rural areas.
Test centres in Arbroath and Forfar were two of a substantial number of UK sites to be axed due to Westminster cuts.
However that decision was revoked and now plans to use community hubs to deliver tests are being mooted as a compromise.
Angus instructor Lez Wells, who co-ordinated the fight against the closure of the county’s centres, said he would back any development that saw test facilities kept in the area.
He said, “We have been aware for some time that this was something the DSA would be considering and I believe they were going to call it a virtual test centre.
“I would be quite happy to see this go ahead if it is the direct alternative to test centres in the area shutting down altogether.”
“There would be practical issues to consider and, for example, if you were to relocate to a supermarket car park you would have to make sure you had the same area set aside all the time and not have students running around looking for you.
“Also, when going on a driving test a student now has to do vehicle maintenance at the beginning, and if you were to be asked to change a wheel on the road, then you could be getting into a relatively dangerous situation from a health and safety point of view.”
There are 402 test centres across the UK, including 96 in Scotland, but it is understood the DSA had planned to cut that number to 200 to save on administration costs.’Same rights’Mr Wells said, “All we want is for our students to be given the same rights as people do in the cities to be able to sit their driving test in their own locality.”
A DSA spokesman said the closures have been halted and other options are being considered.
He said, “We are looking at how we can be more flexible and innovative in our approach to test delivery, and provide a more local service for candidates. This could involve using premises other than test centres to deliver driving tests.”
Details emerged from exchanges between transport minister Mike Penning and MPs such as Angus representative Mike Weir, who has been heavily involved in keeping local centres open.
A Fife driving instructor has reservations about test centres being moved to community venues.
Fife Driver Learning Centre owner Alan Carter said he cannot imagine a supermarket car park being appropriate for a test.
He said,”Until the Driving Standards Agency actually come up with what they want to do, it’s difficult to comment. The trouble is, the DSA take so long to get anything organised.”
“I’m not dead against the idea I just don’t know how it would actually work.”
It is understood the DSA will make an announcement on the system in the coming weeks.