STUDENTS have been left in tears as uncertainty surrounds Dunfermline's driving test centre.

Frustrated instructors have accused the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) of failing to keep promises after the Vine Centre stepped in to offer accommodation after the lease on the test centre at Pitreavie Drive expired.

Instructors claim the DVSA had said they would provide three examiners, three days a week at the new premises.

However, this has not been the case and tutors are booking in their learners for their tests months in advance due to high demand and lack of examiners.

Fraser McDonald, of Max Pass Driving School, also fears that tests could now move to the purpose-built centre in Kirkcaldy instead.

"Students have been in tears," he said.

"They really are genuinely concerned on how they're going to get through their test if it's moved from the local community.

"They've already invested their time, money and effort into it, and they're thinking that it will all be wasted if it's moved to someone that they're not familiar with driving around."

Vine management say the centre has offered the DVSA the opportunity to run exams for five days a week but say the agency has so far refused to respond.

Douglas Chapman believes the agency are "sticking their head in the sand".

The Dunfermline and West Fife MP met with a dozen instructors on Friday last week to discuss the issue.

He told the Press: "The level of frustration and anger we've seen today is just scratching the surface. I think as this plays out, we could see the situation get a whole lot worse.

"I've said all along that we need to get to a win/win situation with the DVSA. They're obviously sticking their head in the sand a wee bit, in terms of what the requirements of Dunfermline and West Fife actually are.

"It doesn't make sense to me that you have people learning to drive and instructors are taking them to Kirkcaldy to learn their road system there in case they have to sit their test there.

"We need the DVSA to see sense on this. We need to push this right to the absolute wire to make sure they see sense and change their mind."

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

"We are continuing to work towards securing long-term testing provision in Dunfermline."