Driving theory test centres split to help DVSA manage content

Driving theory test centres across the UK are being relocated after the DVSA split the contract for managing the service between two companies.

From September, existing contractor Pearson Vue will be joined by Reed in Partnership to oversee the process, which the DVSA said would give it greater control of managing the content.

A DVSA spokesman said HGV theory tests are covered by the change and that “some existing test centres” would change location.

But one training centre in Scotland said it was already feeling the impact, with HGV driving candidates having to travel into England to pass their tests.

DVSA head of digital operations, Alex Fiddes, said: “The new test centre network (TCN) splits Great Britain into three regions, with a maximum of two regional contracts awarded per supplier.

“This change encouraged new suppliers to bid for the TCN contracts, in line with the government move for smaller companies to bid for public sector contracts, in a move away from the present model where we have a dependency on a single contract supplier.”

However, Walter Ritchie, owner of Ritchies Training Centre in Glasgow, said that at a time when many companies were crying out for HGV drivers, it was struggling to find anywhere in Scotland that would offer the theory tests.

He said the earliest date test centres were offering slots was November.

“People are going to England to get theory tests,” he said.

“Yesterday we had four in from potential paramedics and we can’t even get them any.

“It’s ridiculous!

“On average we have 30 HGV driving tests a week and we can’t get any theory tests.”