SOUTH Lakeland's learner drivers will have a much shorter journey to sit their theory test in future, thanks to the opening of a 'long overdue' test centre in Kendal.

Bookings to sit the 50-question exam are now being accepted for Castle Street Community Centre, with the first theory tests to be sat there in September.

Until now, candidates have faced time-consuming journeys by public transport to Barrow, Carlisle or Preston, or had to catch lifts from family or friends.

Glyn Jamieson, chairman of Kendal and District Driving Instructors Association, greeted the opening as 'welcome and long overdue'.

He told the Gazette that driving instructors have collectively been asking for a theory test centre in Kendal for a long time, adding: "It will be a great boost, saving both time and money for those learning to drive."

Mr Jamieson believes that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency centre on Kendal's Castle Street will bring great benefits to local learner drivers.

"Running my own business at Amber Driving (Kendal) I have found that people put off taking their theory test because of the logistics - they can't yet drive and public transport makes getting to a test centre a long journey," he explained.

"The new centre will mean there are fewer obstacles for learners, making it cheaper and easier to pass their theory. It's about time we had some positive news from the DVSA and our next hope is that the waiting times for practical tests can be reduced from the outrageous 10 weeks currently."

Mr Jamieson also wants to remind learner drivers that theory test bookings cost just £23 on the official website compared to up to £60 on third-party websites. For bookings, visit www.gov.uk/book-theory-test

The DVSA says that an extra 27 theory test centres are opening across the country in the next two months to give candidates a greater choice of location.