New driving test centre for Wrexham, but Mold closes

Some say drivers in Mold could face increased costs

A new driving test centre has opened in Wrexham, three years after the town's last centre closed.

The move, after years of campaigning, has been welcomed by instructors.

However, the test centre at Mold, Flintshire - which was serving learner drivers from Wrexham - closed on 30 March.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) said centres which were not "cost effective" had an adverse effect and could result in test fee rises.

Wrexham's last test centre closed at the end of April, 2007.

The DSA said it promised at the time it would continue to look for a replacement, which now stands on Wrexham's Technology Park.

I think Flintshire is now the only county that hasn't got a driving test centre Harry Dodd, Mold School of Motoring

A spokesman said: "We're delighted to be able to provide a new car test centre in Wrexham which offers more modern, improved facilities to customers and staff.

"The LGV test centre in the town remains at its current site."

Expired

Barrie Roberts, who runs By Pass School of Motoring in Wrexham, said: "I'm absolutely delighted, because for the last three years myself and all the other instructors in the Wrexham district have had to find alternative test centres.

"It's a relief it's coming back because there was a real concern we had lost it forever."

Mr Roberts said he had been forced to use other test centres in recent years, - such as Mold and Oswestry, Shropshire - but had been as far as Bala in Gwynedd.

The Mold test centre is closing, while a new one opens in Wrexham

He said the travelling had added to the expense for learner drivers.

Some instructors believe the closure of Mold will now have a similar effect on learner drivers there.

Harry Dodd, who runs Mold School of Motoring, said: "I think Flintshire is now the only county that hasn't got a driving test centre.

"It means that if people were having hour-long lessons, now they might have to take an hour-and-a-half to allow for travelling time to Wrexham or Chester.

"Or, if you live somewhere like Halkyn, you might even have to book a couple of hours."

The DSA said it was a self-financing organisation which relied entirely on test fees and the decision to close Mold was made following a review when the lease on the building expired.

The spokesman said: "Centres which are not determined to be cost effective have an adverse effect on DSA, and, ultimately, our customers, and could result in test fee increases for customers."

The DSA said Wrexham's new centre, and another at Chester, were within the maximum 20 mile (32 km) travelling radius for candidates living in an area the size of Mold.