MORE learner drivers at Warrington are failing their test since the town lost its own driving test centre.
This is the view of driving instructor Peter Garner – one of many local instructors becoming increasingly concerned that 
their pupils are losing out.
Warrington’s driving test centre closed last September – despite a lengthy campaign to try and keep it open.
Now L-drivers have to travel to St Helens or Northwich to take their test.
Mr Garner says for local learners to practice on the actual test routes they now have a 50-minute round trip – which takes up most of a 60-minute driving lesson.
He said: “it is accepted by everybody that the chances of success are increased by practicing on or near the actual test location. This is now much, much harder and Warrington learners are losing out.
“We are seeing evidence of pass rates declining.”
Warrington South Prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate David Mowat, who campaigned to keep the local centre open, says Warrington is the largest town in the UK with no test centre.
He said: “It is very tough on learners who have to travel so far to practice and then take their test on roads they know less well.
“Given the amount of money wasted elsewhere this closure was unnecessary. Warrington always seems to lose out.”
Pictured: David Mowat with driving instructor Peter Garner.
More L-drivers failing the test
11 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
1 Comment
If a learner driver has been taught to drive properly – rather than just taught how to pass the test – they should be perfectly well able to cope with an unfamiliar test route. After all, once they’ve passed they’re expected to be able to drive well in all traffic and weather conditions on roads they don’t know.
The fact that pass rates have apparently declined since Warringtons own test centre closed proves that local driving instructors have been teaching pupils the test routes, not teaching them how to drive. They’ve been doing their students, and other road users, a dis-service and it’s a good thing that this has come to an end.