Kidderminster HGV Testing Site Shuts down

The final HGV test administered at the Kidderminster site occurred earlier this week, closing out 45 years of MoT testing that has easily seen tens of thousands of drivers and vehicles pass through. The closing of the site is part of a larger strategy of eventually shutting down all government-owned testing stations.

In an effort to both save money and make it easier for HGV training companies and their students, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is in the midst of a plan that will eventually transfer all MoT testing to private facilities. Tests will still be conducted by government testers who remain on the public payroll.

Not having to maintain its own testing facilities saves VOSA money while also providing opportunities for private sector companies to offer a value added service that will benefit drivers all across the UK. A larger number of available testing stations will further benefit drivers and trainers who will not have to travel as far for testing purposes.

As for the Kidderminster site, VOSA has not yet said what they plan to do with it. The agency itself is in the midst of a merger with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) – a merger that will result in the newly formed Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). According to the Kidderminster Shuttle, the former testing site will, for now, continue to be a base of operations for a number of work groups already stationed there.

Training and Testing to Continue

Despite the closing of the government MoT testing sites, HGV training and testing will continue unabated throughout the UK. Companies like that HGV Training Centre will still be offering comprehensive driver training in preparation for taking the HGV test.

Earning an HGV licence is something that can be completed in just a couple of months by anyone who already has a full car licence. An overview of the training and licensing process is as follows:

• students must pass a basic medical exam
• a provisional entitlement is applied for
• students study to pass a 100-question theory test
• practical skills training is conducted
• the final MoT HGV test is taken and passed.

At that HGV Training Centre, we pride ourselves in offering each student as much or as little assistance as he or she needs. Some students come to us needing only practical skills training and testing. Others need help at every step of the process, including properly filling out and submitting paperwork. We do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of each of our students.

We offer training to both individual and company drivers in more than 45 facilities around the country. Our training services include CPC training, which is required for all HGV drivers regardless of when a licence is earned. If your company has not yet begun CPC training, we urge you to contact us to get it set up today. Operators whose drivers are not CPC compliant by next September could face stiff penalties.