LEARNER drivers from the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area will be able to remain sitting their tests in Dunfermline.

The news comes after months of uncertainty for learners, instructors and examiners, after the original test centre at Pitreavie was closed down.

Initially, driving tests were run out of the Vine Centre on a temporary basis three times a week, but now the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has committed to using the venue long-term.

Douglas Chapman, MP for Crossgates, Hill of Beath and Moss-side, has welcomed news that the Vine Conference Centre will be used the long-term driving test centre in Dunfermline.

The service will still be run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and delivering nine programmes a week (7 tests in a programme).

But Mr. Chapman will continue to question whether three days is enough and for assurances on waiting times – which were said to be as high as eight weeks.

Commenting Mr. Chapman, the Dunfermline and West Fife MP, said: “I am delighted to hear that Dunfermline will have a long-term home for its driving test centre.

“I hope this will eventually become its permanent home and we can return to running a service 5 days a week, which the original centre at Pitreavie offered.

“This brings some certainty to instructors, who were fearing the worst, that the service could move to Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline and the and West and Central Fife area, would be without a service".

But he added: “I will continue to push the DVSA to make the Vine Centre a permanent fixture and for waiting times to be reduced as the reports of 8 week waiting lists for tests was unacceptable.

“Again, I cannot thank the Vine Conference Centre enough for the generosity and patience they have shown throughout this process, without them learner drivers in the Dunfermline area and adjoining communities probably would be without a driving test centre."