According to this alert from the DSA, Halfords has been selected as a preferred partner for delivering driving tests from places which don’t have a full blown test centre of their own. Partnerships are also being investigated with the Fire & Rescue Service and various universities.
It’s worth pointing out the lead-in comment:
Driving tests could soon be available from branches of Halfords under plans announced today (10 July) by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.
Note the use of the words “could” and “soon”. You will recall, perhaps, that last year we were told that we “could soon” be able to take learners on to motorways (as early as this summer). We don’t appear to be anywhere near that happening – all these proposed changes are is a huge exercise in creating pseudo-jobs for government officials.
The email says:
The scheme focuses on 21 locations, centred around 5 different areas across the country:
- Glasgow
- Kettering
- Manchester
- Watford
- Worcestershire
Can you imagine how many people are involved in administering this? However, the email adds that tests from these locations are expected to commence in the autumn, but what it doesn’t mention is how soon the places where the absence of a test centre is arguably a real issue will also get the facility. All of the places mentioned are bloody large urban conurbations (not sure about Worcestershire) where there are already test centres available at reasonable distances. At no time has there been a situation where you had to travel 100 miles to do a driving test in places like Manchester and Glasgow (there are at least 3 or 4 centres at each of those locations)!
I wonder if this was Mike Penning’s own idea… or his daughter’s! I don’t have a problem with it as such. Just the politics behind it.
Incidentally, it’s hilarious to see the same people who complained about test centres closing – the same ones who also moan about everything the DSA does – now whining like children about tests being conducted from Halfords’ car parks. Oh, it’s not fair, there should be an office, and toilets, and a four star restaurant, and landscaped gardens…
I tell you, some ADIs are not a full shilling.
Are (is) Halfords offering driving tests now?
Really, someone asked that question – and I know for a fact that they were a driving instructor!
NO. The DSA is looking to conduct tests from Halfords premises. Halfords staff will NOT be involved, and tests will still be conducted by DSA examiners. You will NOT be able to book your test through Halfords.
The DSA is getting a test centre for free now, isn’t it?
I don’t think for second that Halfords is turning over part of its car park in the areas involved for free. I think this accusation comes from people who have a very strange agenda of their own to pursue, and who lack the intelligence to think it through properly!