Learner drivers in Caithness and Sutherland trying to pass their theory tests are travelling as far as Orkney and Elgin rather than wait several months to sit one nearer home.
The expense and inconvenience of having to make a near 400-mile round road or rail trip or a ferry trip across the Pentland Firth was yesterday dubbed “entirely unacceptable” by constituency MP Jamie Stone.
The lengthy backlog for an appointment with a mobile test van has led to calls for the reinstatement of a permanent centre in the far north.
The waits have been lengthening since the van cut down the number of trips it makes to Wick.
Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council chairman Eric Green said: “We are hearing that people face waits of two to three months to get a theory test.
“For some, a licence is essential to get a job and they just can’t afford to wait that long and so they book a place elsewhere.
“We know of people travelling to Inverness and Elgin and even taking the ferry over to Orkney to sit their tests. We think that is quite unacceptable.”
When the theory test was introduced in 1996, the permanent bases included an office in Wick town centre but it closed some time ago.
Mr Green believes there is a clear need for this service to be restored.
He said: “All the person in the van does is verify the person’s ID.
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“The test is done on a computer terminal and there is no reason I can see why this could not be accommodated in Highland Council’s offices or North Highland College UHI or a local library.
“That would give a service that ran five days a week and be responsive to the demand.
“Caithness has a population of 27,000 so surely it can justify that service, especially as it’s not going to cost any more – it’s just making better use of the available resources.
Driving instructor Nicola Mowat said: “It has been two to three months to get an appointment at Wick and I have had few jumping on the ferry to Orkney or going to Inverness as they can’t be bothered waiting.
“We are a reasonable population centre and it’s crazy that people are having to go to such inconvenience and expense.”
The mobile service also offers appointments in Helmsdale and Tongue.
Mr Stone said: “This situation is entirely unacceptable. No-one should be disadvantaged because of where they live when it comes to sitting the theory test.
“Road transport is more vital in the far north than most other parts of the UK.
“I will raise this as a matter of urgency when I return to Westminster. This must be sorted out as soon as possible.”