With the aim of serving local communities and ensure that candidates would be able to take their test at convenient locations, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) will carry out a trial to explore a new approach to test delivery.

The conventional test centres will remain, but the DSA is also looking at whether tests could be delivered from local authority buildings or from - more exotic - venues such as hotels and leisure centres.

The trials are due to take place in seven locations across Britain: Ashford, Ayrshire, Dumbarton, Louth, Warrington, Wiltshire have already been chosen and one location in Wales is still to be decided. Places that no longer have local test centres but where the tests demand has not decreased.

-I guess that at this point we could ask why those test centres were closed in the first place.-

According to the Scottish paper The Courier, Lee Wells, the instructor who coordinates the fight against the country's centres, has a positive opinion of the trials.

"They promised us this and it's almost six months since the promises were made but yes, everything is very, very positive, and we are delighted to hear that they are running these trials and look forward to hearing more about it, because it really bodes well for us,” he said.

The trials, the DSA affirms, will be 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.

“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,” said Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.

“Our aim is to provide a more local service that is both convenient for candidates and cost effective,” he added.

After the trials the DSA will then decide if this is to be extended to other areas or not pending on how beneficial they feel it goes and how cost effective it is.

The trials will only involve practical car tests theory test centres will not be affected.