WAYS to increase capacity to tackle the backlog of driving tests in Fife after lockdown are being looked at.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley had expressed concern at the number of people waiting for both practical and theory assessments whose progress has been delayed because of current restrictions.

As reported by the Press in January, the Labour MSP had contacted the DVSA after being contacted by fed-up constituents who were being forced to travel as far as Carlisle or Aberdeen.

“Even before COVID, there was a question about capacity for sitting the theory test with Fife having one centre in Leven, but since and given the massive backlogs, there is a need for an increase in availability," he said.

"I understand there are options for increasing capacity and I am calling on all Fife politicians to work together to persuade this authority to increase the capacity locally.”

In a letter to Mr Rowley, DVSA chief executive Loveday Ryder warned that it was likely theory test centres would not resume at full capacity when allowed to re-open because of physical-distancing rules.

"I can assure your constituents that we have been working during lockdown with Pearson VUE, the organisation that conducts the theory test for us, to explore ways in which it can further expand theory-testing capacity in Scotland,” she said.

“Prior to the temporary lockdown in Scotland, we had implemented various solutions which provided additional theory-testing capacity.

"This included extending opening and closing times where possible and extending the booking window from three months to four months to give candidates more choice of available dates.”

Currently, candidates based in Fife are able to take their tests at an occasional site at Leven as well as larger permanent sites in Dundee, Edinburgh or Stirling.

A DVSA spokesperson said: “We know the pandemic has been incredibly hard for learners, and we appreciate their patience.

“We’re working hard to provide as many theory tests as possible for people in Fife, and we are exploring ways to increase capacity in Scotland, including extending centre opening times and centres opening as often as six days a week.”