Im wondering if theres still a test route around stafford atall? or is Featherstone (closest to me) the only one?
I believe Swynnerton, which was the nearest centre to Stafford has either closed or is about to close. Bassetts have their own test centre. They used to be near Stone on A34 and I don’t think they’ve moved.
Hope this helps, Pete S 
Peter Smythe:
I believe Swynnerton, which was the nearest centre to Stafford has either closed or is about to close. Bassetts have their own test centre. They used to be near Stone on A34 and I don’t think they’ve moved.Hope this helps, Pete S
so Bassets is the only one remaining? would i get a choice from my instructor or would he only use the same dsa test centre every time? cheers mate
Can’t answer that one. Bassetts may be an “open” centre in which case it works the same as a normal test centre and anyone can go there or it could be a “closed” centre in which case you could only use it if you trained with Bassetts (you could do a lot worse!). Otherwise it may be Featherstone depending on where you live and who you are training with.
Most trainers have a regular test centre or two where they are known and they know the examiners and the routes.
You need to have this conversation with your chosen trainer.
Hope this helps again. Pete
jonny66:
Peter Smythe:
I believe Swynnerton, which was the nearest centre to Stafford has either closed or is about to close. Bassetts have their own test centre. They used to be near Stone on A34 and I don’t think they’ve moved.Hope this helps, Pete S
so Bassets is the only one remaining? would i get a choice from my instructor or would he only use the same dsa test centre every time? cheers mate
Hey mate,
Swynnerton is/was the test centre close to Stafford, but I know they were closing it at the time I did my C+E test, they were only conducting a few tests (mostly retest from Bassetts) and from other Training centres, though Bassetts are lucky as they are approved to conduct the test on their yard, not sure where the other training companies go for test, heard some go to shrewsbury.
HTH
Gareth
yes mate, im clear on that now cheers!! 
jonny66:
yes mate, im clear on that now cheers!!
Sorry mate, Pete beat me to it, got distracted whilst typing hence it took longer 
Have you booked any training yet?
Gazza7682:
jonny66:
yes mate, im clear on that now cheers!!Sorry mate, Pete beat me to it, got distracted whilst typing hence it took longer
Have you booked any training yet?
ive booked my assesment mate, its free too so cant be bad, i took my test last year in notts, its where i lived for 12 mths but didnt know the roads that well, its quite a big place and the test route was well inside the city, i drove really well, felt confident, instructor was very happy with my driving, but i was told i caused an oncoming car to slow down as i was turning into a right junction, and i remember it like it was yesterday, the car was at least 300yds away and a safe distance at a slow and steady speed. the mind boggles me lol 
apparently my instructor cringed when he saw who i had,lol he`d had many complaints and hadnt even driven a lorry before. grrr
Free is always good
I had luck with all my assessors, though the assessor I had for my category C was quiet and didnt speak all the test apart from giving directions, so couldnt really tell how it was going
But good luck now with your C+E and let us know how you get on mate 
Gareth
its my c i need the luck with mate, i failed it last year at notts, then had a few personal problems and moved back home to staffs. but cheers again buddy
John
The DSA are pushing for more trainers to operate their own test centres as the test stations are being closed up and down the country as VOSA close the MOT centres and DSA are their tenants.
We had the first trial test centre in the UK 4 years ago and it’s been a great success. The downside to all this (apart from the sheer cost of operating the place) is that trainers who are relying on other test centres are beginning to find they are travelling a long way for a test.
So it’s something that could be worth considering when booking your course.
All the best, Pete
mmm?? from a costing point of view for me thats good advice as im paying for the training before the test and the journey to get there however if its Featherstone im going to thats not too far, i need to ask my trainer i guess, wish i`d have been on this forum before i originally took my test 
cheers Pete
John
Swynnerton is still open as a DSA test centre, Another local training Co. is Transed Training in Kidsgrove. 01782 771177. BTW I’m 1 of their instructors and i,m DSA Registerd too. Excellent pass rates, best i’v worked for