End of an Era for Local Learner Drivers
The Barking Driving Test Centre in East London is set to close permanently on 3 January 2026, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed. The decision marks a significant change for learner drivers in Barking and surrounding areas, who will now need to travel further afield for their practical driving tests once the closure takes effect. MSA GB
Why Is the Centre Closing?
According to the DVSA, the closure is being driven by safety and quality concerns around the test environment in Barking. Specifically:
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Local test routes no longer meet the DVSA’s requirements because they lack sufficient stretches where candidates can demonstrate higher-speed driving in a consistent and realistic way.
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The centre has lost access to nearby car parks previously used for essential manoeuvre exercises like bay parking and forward parking.
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Increasing traffic congestion and complex road patterns in the area have further reduced its suitability for comprehensive driving assessments. MSA GB
The DVSA emphasised that it’s essential for tests to be conducted in conditions that fairly and safely evaluate a learner’s driving skills, and concluded Barking no longer offers this. MSA GB
Impact on Learner Drivers
The closure will not cancel any tests already booked after 3 January. Instead, all existing bookings will be moved to nearby test centres, including:
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Goodmayes Driving Test Centre (about 2.5 miles away)
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Wanstead Driving Test Centre (around 5 miles away) MSA GB
However, for many learners and driving instructors in east London and Essex, this means longer travel times and potentially higher costs to attend practical tests. The change comes during a period when wait times for driving tests across London have been under strain, with many centres already reporting waits of several months due to high demand and examiner shortages. The Standard
Local Reaction and Petition Efforts
There has been some local opposition to the closure. Earlier in late 2025, a petition was launched seeking to delay the closure of the Barking centre until major roadworks on the Lodge Avenue Flyover begin—a move supporters argued would minimise disruption for learners and instructors. That petition was ultimately rejected on procedural grounds, as it called for local action that isn’t permitted through the national petitions platform. petition.parliament.uk
What Learners Should Do Next
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Check your email: If you have a booking after 3 January, the DVSA is contacting candidates with updated test locations.
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Plan travel ahead: With the nearest alternative test centres a few miles further out, it’s wise to allow extra time on the day of your test.
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Practice wider routes: Given the closure, learners may benefit from gaining experience on a wider range of local roads in east London and Essex to prepare for tests at different centres.
