Motorbike tutors’ jobs on the line
Motorbike instructors in Moray face uncertain times with the imminent closure of the Elgin test centre.
The owners of two companies, Two Wheelers at Elgin, and Fast Track at Buckie, are already feeling the effect of a national shake-up coming into force next month.
The Elgin test centre will close with 52 others in Scotland as part of a raft of changes imposed by the Driving Standards Agency.
The nearest test centre to Moray will be Inverness or Aberdeen.
However, it is unsure when either centre will be able to examine additional people.
John Miller, who is taking over the Fast Track learner centre at Buckie next month, is concerned about the business.
Mr Miller, who has put 180 motorcyclists through their test since January, said: “I cannot take bookings for October because I can’t offer them a test date as there is no venue. Why would people book lessons if they can’t go for their test?
“I have already lost a whole month’s income from this.”
Mary Marshall, who owns Two Wheelers at Elgin, said she was also concerned.
Angus Robertson, the SNP MSP for Moray, this week condemned “the failure of the DSA to provide proper motorcycle test facilities”.
He added: “The DSA has given conflicting reports of when other centres will be available, with one suggestion being Inverness some time in October, while another DSA representative suggested that Inverness would not be ready until 2009.”
A spokesman for the DSA said: “Test centres in Inverness and Aberdeen are under construction and expected to be operational either by or shortly after September 29.”
It’s sad to see test centres closing because now more than ever it make ecconomical sense to ride a bike or scooter, they are cheaper to run and motorbike and scooter insurance is very cheap.
