UK Halfords do driving tests

pippip · 08-01-2013 11:55am #1

The car parts and bike retailer is given the green light to offer driving tests in areas that do not have a local test centre.

Practical driving tests will be available from branches of Halfords from next month, the Government has announced.

The first test centre will open at the firm's Wellingborough store on February 5, before the initiative is rolled out to branches across the country in the coming months.

All tests will be conducted by Driving Standards Agency (DSA) examiners.

Other sites under consideration as future test centres include Glasgow, Altrincham, Market Harborough and Hemel Hempstead.

And the car parts and bicycle retailer may not be the only private sector company enlisted to help provide "a more local service for driving test candidates".

The DSA is looking at both the private and public sector, with fire stations and universities reportedly also in the running to host practical driving test centres.

The Government is currently consulting on proposals to improve the way all motoring services are delivered.

The Halfords deal, which has been in the pipeline since last summer, was finalised by Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond.

He said: "We are very pleased to be working with Halfords to provide a more local service for candidates.

"This is a great example of working with private sector partners to provide an important local service that is convenient as well as being cost effective."

Paul McClenaghan, Halfords' commercial director, said: "Halfords is already a local destination for motorists, who come to us for a diverse range of automotive products and services.

"We're always seeking new ways in which to enhance our offer, so working with the Driving Standards Agency is a natural fit for the business and extends the help we are able to provide to motorists," he added.

Driving test wait times currently vary from between one week and almost three months, depending on the location.

http://news.sky.com/story/1034938/halfords-to-host-practical-driving-tests

08-01-2013 11:57am

They have MOT centres too IIRC over there.

Marcusm · 08-01-2013 12:18pm

It looks like they are providing a locaiton for the examiners to site themselves and meet up with the examinees rather than conducting the tests. They do operate MOT centres but then many (?most) garages can do MOT tests; it's not the same system as NCT.