One of Kent\u2019s tallest buildings could soon host a new driving test centre in a move to tackle soaring wait times for learners.<\/p>\n
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has lodged a bid to transform part of Ashford\u2019s International House into a dedicated testing site.<\/p>\n
Ashford Borough Council relocated its headquarters to International House, Ashford, in December 2024<\/p>\n
Ashford Borough Council (ABC), which moved its headquarters into the 11-storey Dover Place landmark last December, currently uses the proposed space – Suite One on the second floor – as offices.<\/p>\n
Planning agents Newmark, acting for the DVSA, say the 73 sq m area would play a role in easing a nationwide shortage of available driving tests.<\/p>\n
With UK wait times at around 22 weeks, would-be drivers must bear heavier financial burdens while paying for more lessons to maintain their skills.<\/p>\n
Official papers state: \u201cThe DVSA is currently facing significant challenges related to booking driving tests and, at present, the demand to book tests disproportionately outweighs the quantum of tests available.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe DVSA is therefore actively and urgently working to invest in new test centres to address the growing demand for driving tests, with a particular focus on areas where there is particularly high demand or where current test centres are oversubscribed.<\/p>\n
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) begun operating from International House in December<\/p>\n
\u201cThe facility is required to meet the local need for car driving tests and would support the government’s objective to reduce driving test waiting times.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe site is on an established test route and provides appropriate internal space and car parking.\u201d<\/p>\n
The agency, an arm of the Department for Transport, says resource constraints and Covid-19 disruption have left the system under pressure.<\/p>\n
Around one million tests were missed during the pandemic, leading to a backlog exacerbated by temporary centre closures, reduced capacity and stricter safety measures.<\/p>\n
By May 2023, the DVSA had taken 800,000 new test bookings – up 7% on pre-pandemic demand.<\/p>\n
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) moved from the Civic Centre to International House at the end of last year<\/p>\n
The scarcity of slots has pushed many learners to travel to other parts of the country for tests.<\/p>\n
If approved, the new Ashford centre would employ seven staff on testing days – six examiners and a site manager – and could handle up to 48 tests daily. Fourteen parking spaces would be set aside for staff and candidates.<\/p>\n
Tests would begin and end at International House, typically running 7.30am – 7.30pm on weekdays and 7am – 4.30pm on Saturdays, with each route lasting just under an hour.<\/p>\n
ABC owns both International House – bought for \u00a37.9 million in 2014 – and the Civic Centre near the town centre, home to the borough\u2019s existing test facility.<\/p>\n
But rising running costs at the latter have made it increasingly unviable, prompting the council\u2019s move.<\/p>\n
Ashford Borough Council\u2019s Civic Centre in Tannery Lane is where learner drivers currently have to attend<\/p>\n
The DVSA has therefore said the new facility would replace its existing site at the Civic Centre, rather than accompany it.<\/p>\n
It says there will be no changes to testing capacity compared with the current centre, adding it will update driving instructors and candidates should the plans be approved.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said: \u201cDVSA is currently negotiating the lease on a permanent replacement driving test centre for Ashford.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u201ccivic suite\u201d at Tannery Lane, including the chamber and mayor\u2019s parlour, remains in use.<\/p>\n
Council leader Cllr Noel Ovenden has previously said \u201cthere is no intention of mothballing\u201d the building as a whole.<\/p>\n
Leader of Ashford Borough Council (ABC) and representative for Wye with Hinxhill, Noel Ovenden<\/p>\n