The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has decided to close the Barry Test Centre on Friday 26th March 2010.   Barry is the largest town in Wales and needs its own Test Centre.  

If Barry test centre does close the alternative Test centres are Bridgend (18.5 miles away) and Cardiff (8 miles away). The current Cardiff centre is also due to close in 2010 where it will be moving further into Cardiff.   If candidates and instructors have to use these other centres it's going to prove to be costly for candidates and instructors.  

People taking lessons will have to have longer lessons and instructors will have to travel further using more fuel which is going to have a negative impact on the carbon footprint and climate change.  

At a time of economic downturn, it's vital that we support young people in acquiring skills such as driving to enhance their employability, job and career choices.   

The DSA has confirmed that the closure is not to cut costs but because the Barry Centre does not offer the services they wish to offer their customers and does not have the benefit of off street parking for their customers.  

A councillor in Vale of Glamorgan Council has offered 2 suitable buildings to relocate the Barry Test Centre both of which have off road parking and would in fact meet the DSA’s customers service standards.

Save our Driving Test Centre!!!!