Driving tests return to Warrington
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is bringing driving tests back to Warrington as part of a trial to give a local service for candidates.
The former driving test centre in Warrington closed in 2008 when a new multi-purpose test centre opened in St Helens, but from 5 March DSA will begin testing on a temporary basis from the Paddington House Hotel on Manchester Road.
Testing at the Paddington House Hotel is initially planned to run until June, and tests are then expected to transfer to Warrington Borough Council’s Orford Community Hub on Festival Avenue.
Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:
I am delighted to announce that driving tests will be returning to Warrington. I want us to be more flexible and innovative in delivering driving tests to make sure that we are offering people the best service possible wherever they live.
Our aim is to offer a local service that is convenient for candidates as well as being cost effective.
The move to resume testing in Warrington is part of a national trial exploring a new approach to test delivery. As well as using conventional driving test centres, DSA is looking at delivering tests from other sites such as local authority buildings, leisure centres or hotels.
In addition to the trial in Warrington, DSA is currently running trials in 7 other locations across the country. The trials are being monitored to assess any impact on levels of customer service and the cost of delivery, as well as making sure the integrity of the test is maintained.
The trials only involve practical car tests; theory test centres are not affected.