Waiting times at every driving test centre in Wales have risen dramatically over the last year, according to information obtained by Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central.
Figures obtained by Chris Franks under the Freedom of Information Act show that learners face a wait of nine weeks at test centres in Abergavenny, Bangor, Cardiff, Newport and Rhyl.
And the figures show that since the closure of the Barry Test Centre in March last year, the waiting times at the nearest centres in Cardiff have risen to nine weeks from six weeks in 2008 and 2009.
Chris Franks said: “I am concerned that waiting times have risen across Wales and I have written to the DSA to ask them the reasons – whether it is the result of reduced staff levels or perhaps less likely given the economic situation, that more people are taking tests.
“The closure of the Barry Test Centre has shown not only to affect people in Barry and the Vale but those living in Cardiff.
“The DSA said quite clearly in December 2009 that it had the spare capacity to absorb the diversion of demand from Barry without compromising waiting service targets.
“Clearly, they have been found out and the results of my FoI request show the DSA need to look again at having a presence in Barry, particularly as it is the largest town in Wales.
“And with VAT and tax on petrol rising even further this closure decision will add even more costs for learner drivers as well as driving instructors. Plaid imagine that people living in Cardiff also won’t be best pleased having to wait longer for tests.”
The table below shows waiting times and the number of staff for each test centre in Wales.
|
Appointment Availability in weeks
|
Staff | ||||
| 01/12/2008 | 30/11/2009 | 29/11/2010 | Headcount | FTE | |
| Abergavenny | 6 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Aberystwyth | 3 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Bangor | 7 | ||||
| Bangor MPTC | 7 | 9 | 5 | 4.4 | |
| Barry | 7 | 1 | |||
| Bridgend | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| Cardiff Fairwater | 6 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9.43 |
| Cardigan | 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1.87 |
| Carmarthen | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Haverfordwest | 7 | ||||
| Lampeter | 7 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Llanelli | 8 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 7 | 5 | |||
| Merthyr Tydfil DTC | 8 | 8 | 7.8 | ||
| Mold | 7 | 6 | |||
| Monmouth | 7 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| Newport (Gwent) | 4 | 5 | |||
| Newport (Gwent) MPTC | 9 | 11 | 10.6 | ||
| Newtown | 1 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Pembroke Dock | 3 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Pontypridd | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7.1 |
| Rhyl | 6 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 3.8 |
| Swansea | 6 | ||||
| Swansea MPTC | 6 | 8 | 11 | 9.93 | |
| Wrexham Dtc | 8 | 8 | 7.11 | ||
