The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed its plans to relocate the current driving test centre in Grimsby to a new site just a few hundred metres away, offering fresh hope for learners amid a growing national testing backlog.
According to recent updates, the DVSA is in active negotiations for a lease at Olympia House, Saxon Court, located off Appian Way near the A180 Pyewipe roundabout. The move is part of a long-term strategy to upgrade facilities while remaining close to the community it serves. Although the new site is not expected to immediately increase local testing capacity, the announcement has sparked interest across the region.
No Capacity Increase, But More Efficient Operations Expected
The new driving test centre will replace the existing Grimsby Coldwater DVSA site rather than add additional capacity. According to DVSA sources, the opening hours for the proposed site are scheduled to run from 7am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday. On busy testing days—Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday—the centre will handle up to 36 vehicle tests daily, including motorcycle assessments on Fridays. A reduced schedule will apply on Wednesdays and Thursdays with 18 tests per day managed by just two examiners.
This news comes amid a nationwide shortage of driving test appointments, with over 600,000 tests backlogged as of June 2025. To tackle this issue, DVSA is actively recruiting more examiners and implementing rule changes to improve test availability. For example, since April, learners must now provide 10 working days’ notice to cancel or reschedule without losing their test fee—up from the previous three-day policy.
Planning Application Under Review
The DVSA has already submitted a planning application for converting the vacant offices at Olympia House into a functional driving test centre. However, the project has not been without criticism. National Highways described the submitted transport assessment as “very poor” with “many deficiencies.” One of the main concerns is that the impact on the nearby strategic road network, particularly the A180, has not been adequately addressed. Additionally, the assessment reportedly fails to factor in the ‘double movement’ effect, where learners arrive and leave the site twice for their tests.
Despite these concerns, National Highways has not formally objected to the relocation proposal. Officials believe the centre’s relocation is unlikely to cause a significant operational impact on the A180 corridor.
DVSA’s Commitment to Learners and Road Safety
A DVSA spokesperson commented:
“DVSA is currently negotiating the lease on a permanent new driving test centre for Grimsby. A new location has been identified, and we will confirm the details as soon as possible.”
The agency has reassured local driving instructors and learners that they will be kept informed as updates become available. The new centre, once approved and operational, is expected to offer modernised facilities, better traffic flow, and an improved experience for learners—further aligning with DVSA’s mission to promote road safety and testing efficiency.
Local Reaction and Next Steps
The local driving community has expressed cautious optimism. While the lack of additional capacity is a concern, many welcome the updated infrastructure and improved operational hours. As the DVSA continues to address testing challenges, the Grimsby centre remains a crucial piece in solving the puzzle of the national driving test crisis.
DVSA’s latest move reflects its broader effort to modernise its network of test centres across the UK, with technology upgrades, examiner recruitment, and strategic planning at the forefront.
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