Learner drivers could soon be taking their driving tests from a new centre if an application (20/00323/B) by the Department of Infrastructure is approved.

The new site would be located next to the existing one on Ballafletcher Road, Cronkbourne, Douglas and would bring the entire testing process brought under one roof.

In its application documents, the DoI said that the new site would allow it to build a modern facility that would ’meet the expanded needs of the test centre’.

If the application proves successful, it will make the existing site available for redevelopment.

Access to the site would be gained from a new two-way entry on Ballafletcher Road. However, inside the centre site, the road will one-way.

The required building for the new centre will be a two-storey building which will allow for theory testing to be done in the same building as practical tests.

Currently theory tests are taken at different locations around the island.

It is estimated that this would lead to an extra 250 visits to the site a month, with about 30 per day. Although, theory tests would only be held on eight or nine days per month.

The test centre functions to provide both driving tests and vehicles tests for all categories such as cars, motorbikes and HGVs.About 370 people take driving tests a month, equivalent to about 19 a day, of which approximately 10% are for HGVs. There are also about 460 vehicle tests per month, equivalent to about 24 per day. About 10% of these are HGV testing.

The police currently have site access 24/7 and this would likely continue in the event of the new centre being built.

If approved, the site will include a crash vehicle compound, driving test lane for cars and HGVs, as well as landscaping to provide additional screening from the road.