MS hits out over long waits to book a driving test

THE leader of the Welsh Conservatives has called for urgent action to address the excessive wait times for practical driving tests in North Wales.

- By YASMIN AL-NAJAR

In a letter to the Chief Executive of the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), Clwyd West MS Darren Millar outlines the problems learner drivers are currently experiencing and asks what is being done to recruit more examiners and reduce wait times.

In December, the DVSA announced a 7 Point Plan to reduce driving test waiting times, but Mr Millar stressed that it is now eight months down the line, and he is still receiving reports of little or no improvement.

He said one constituent who has contacted him started learning to drive back in January and has been test ready since April but has not been able to secure a test in Rhyl until January next year - a whole 12 months after their 17th birthday.

In his letter to the Chief Executive, he also states: “I have been told that the Rhyl Test Centre is currently operating with just one examiner, who is only able to conduct seven tests a day.

“As this has been ongoing for some time, it has resulted in a backlog on people trying to secure a test.