The AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has expressed concerns about the closure of the Driving Test Centre in Llandrindod Wells, which has now been confirmed by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency.

This came to the attention of Kirsty Williams after local driving instructors and learners, who had tests booked before lockdown, said their assessments had been rescheduled to Brecon.

A DVSA spokesperson said: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.

“We have been informed by the landlord of the Llandrindod Wells Driving Test Centre site that our agreement will not be renewed.

“We have no final date for closure yet as this is being reviewed on a monthly basis but will keep candidates and instructors informed.”

Commenting, Kirsty Williams said: “The Llandrindod Wells location is used by learners and instructors from Rhayader, Builth Wells, Llanwrtyd Wells, Knighton, Presteigne and elsewhere in the constituency.

“I am concerned about the possibility of job losses, the impact on the local economy and the distance that many people in the north of the constituency would have to travel to sit a diving test if the centre at Llandrindod were to close."

However, the DVSA has said that the Llandrindod site only opens an average of nine times a month and that there will be no job losses as the centre has no permanent staff.

"Nearby test centres in Brecon and Newtown will provide all candidates with a more consistent service, five days a week. Both alternative centres have capacity to meet the extra demand," the spokesperson said.

All driving tests have currently been suspended until June 22 due to the coronavirus pandemic.