Louth driving test centre will close, DSA confirms

A driving test centre in Lincolnshire is to close despite a 5,000-signature petition opposing the decision.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) says the Louth centre is not up to modern standards and will shut on 10 February.

The move has angered local driving instructors, who say learners will now face a round-trip of more than 30 miles (48km) to take their test.

Lincolnshire MP Sir Peter Tapsell handed their petition to the Department for Transport last month.

A DSA spokesperson said: "A recent inspection of Louth driving test centre made clear that the facilities do not meet the modern standards necessary for our customers and staff.

'Not a surprise'

"Because DSA relies for funding on the fees we receive from our customers, we have a duty to make sure we spend that money in a responsible manner.

"As there are alternative test centres within our established travel distance criteria - at Grimsby (17 miles) and Skegness (25 miles) - we have taken the decision to cease testing at Louth. The last day of testing will be Wednesday 9 February."

Mike Beecroft, chairman of Louth and District Driving Instructors Association, said the decision was not a surprise.

He now plans to look at the possibility of offering smaller facilities which could be used by visiting examiners, an option which he said had been outlined by the government.

He said: "An examiner could come for a couple of days a week, have a room available to him and he could carry out tests from there."

Possible locations were being discussed with the town and district councils and would later be submitted to the Department for Transport, he added.