The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has applied for planning permission for a new driving test centre (DTC) near Glasgow.

The application proposes changing use of part of the ground floor office in the warehouse building at 1 West Avenue in Paisley into the centre.

The site is within the Imperial Business Park and surrounded by warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, and a fire-fighting centre.

Car licence tests start and finish at the DTC, with the practical element of the test being conducted on public roads.

There are more than 400 practical driving and multi-purpose test centres and theory test centres run by the DVSA nationally.

If approved, the plans will allow car licence testing to be offered from the site.

According to the planning statement accompanying the application, the accommodation is required by the DVSA to meet the local need for car (Cat B) driving tests and the government's objective to reduce driving test waiting times.

It added: “The site is on an established test route and provides appropriate internal space and car parking.

“This proposal will replace the former driving test centre (DTC) at rooms 3,21,22,23 at St James Business Centre which DVSA vacated on April 9, 2024 following receipt of a notice from the landlord terminating the lease.”

The proposed office will be used by DVSA staff to write up notes and other administrative tasks.

It will also double as a waiting room for instructors to wait whilst their students carry out the test.

It is proposed that a total of 11 staff will be based on the site, including 10 examiners and a DTC manager.

On average, it is anticipated that each examiner will undertake seven tests a day and a total of 30 to 35 tests a week each.

Tests will predominantly run Monday to Saturday between 8am and to 6pm, and last approximately 40 to 50 minutes.

A total of 18 car parking spaces at the site will be allocated for DVSA use, if the plans are passed.

The DVSA will also have shared use of the 32 remaining unallocated spaces.

No other units adjacent to the site will lose parking spaces through the plans, the planning statement added.

The application was received by Renfrewshire Council on Friday, July 19 and validated on Tuesday, September 17.

It is currently awaiting decision.