NEWS: Halfords To Offer Driving Tests

First they offered us a heady mixture of car parts and bicycles, then they started basic car parts fitting with their increasingly popular, innovative 'We Fit' service and now Road Safety Minister, Stephen Hammond has given Halfords the green light to offer driving tests! The tests will be available from the Halfords store in Wellingborough from Tuesday 5 February. And other branches of Halfords across the country are expected to start offering tests in coming months, with all tests being conducted by Driving Standards Agency (DSA) examiners.
The government say: 'The move is part of an initiative to offer a more local service for driving test candidates. As well as using conventional test centres, DSA is working with public and private sector partners to provide driving tests in areas that don’t have a local test centre.'
Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said: "We are very pleased to be working with Halfords to provide a more local service for driving test candidates. This is a great example of working with private sector partners to provide an important local service that is convenient as well as being cost effective."

And Halfords Commercial Director, Paul McClenaghan, said: "Halfords is already a local destination for motorists, who come to us for a diverse range of automotive products and services. We’re always seeking new ways in which to enhance our offer, so working with the Driving Standards Agency is a natural fit for the business and extends the help we are able to provide to motorists."
The government is currently consulting on proposals to improve the way all motoring services are delivered. The Motoring Services Strategy consultation outlines long term proposals to put customers firmly at the heart of the way motoring services are delivered, so that they best serve the consumer while getting the best possible deal for the taxpayer.
Presumably, all of the test cars will have a nice fresh Magic Tree hanging from the rear view mirror? No excuse not to...

Image by Road snapper, Neil Denham