The institution in charge of helping people to get ready to drive in Reading has answered complaints about examiners finishing earlier than the working day.

A woman on social media complained that the Reading Driving Test Centre closes at 4pm, meaning 'youngsters' are left waiting for slots to pass their tests.

The examinations end earlier than the usual working day between 5pm and 6pm.

Explaining why tests finish at around 4pm, a spokesperson for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said: “Driving examiners work a standard day starting at 8am and finishing at 4pm.

“This is to make the most of daylight hours during winter, as the law states the test must take place in good light.

“During summer months many driving examiners work overtime after 4pm, to provide as many tests as possible.”

The complaint comes as the days of the Driving Test Centre in Elgar Road South, Katesgrove are numbered, as the building is set to be demolished and replaced with a new residential building containing 16 flats.

A design for the building set to replace Reading Driving Centre. Credit: Sawkings Harper ArchitectsA design for the building set to replace Reading Driving Centre. Credit: Sawkings Harper Architects

On the redevelopment of the test centre, a spokesperson for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said: “We are aware that planning permission has been granted to redevelop the building we lease for the Reading Driving Test Centre.

“We are currently looking for an alternative long-term site. We will share the new address when we can.”

The replacement of the test centre was approved on appeal to the government's planning inspectorate earlier this year.

The approval of the project has prompted concerns over the future of driving theory and practical tests in Reading.

Allaying those concerns, the spokesperson for the DVSA said: “We are aware that planning permission has been granted to redevelop the building we lease for the Reading Driving Test Centre.

“We are currently looking for an alternative long-term site.

“We will share the new address when we can.”

The DVSA has a lease for the current building until March 25, 2025.

The project to replace the building is being undertaken by Maxika Homes.

There are also driving test centres in Newbury, Slough and Basingstoke.

To address issues around test waiting times, the DVSA has created almost 150,000 additional new tests and provided 1.9 million in total in the last financial year.

According to the DVSA, the average waiting time for a practical car driving test in England was 17.8 weeks, with the agency continuing to recruit new examiners and offering overtime.