FRUSTRATIONS have been raised regarding the lack of a driving theory test centre in Co. Fermanagh and the backlog on theory test exams, which means that learner drivers from Fermanagh are missing out on the chance to sit their test.

One Enniskillen woman raised her frustrations when she spoke to this newspaper. Krista- Louise Tierney said: “I went online to book my theory test and there was absolutely nothing for anywhere nearby, so I booked it for Belfast, and I kept going on every morning to see if there was a cancellation, for about a week.

“I got a cancellation for Omagh for last month, and I had to pay someone to bring me down as the bus times didn’t suit, as there are only two buses going to Omagh.

"I got down there and then was told that the whole system was down, and I couldn’t do my test. I waited for an hour to see if it would come back, on so it was a wasted journey down.”

Rescheduling the missed test has been a problem for Krista. She said: “I rang to reschedule my test and there was nothing coming up at all, and it only lets you book as far as September. I got a second cancellation, but again had to pay someone to bring me down.”

Many have raised complaints over the years regarding the inconvenience of travelling to Omagh to sit a theory test.

Krista-Louise and many others believe it would be better to have a theory centre in Enniskillen.

The frustrations of those wishing to sit a theory test has been recognised by some local councillors.

The Vice-Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Chris McCaffrey, has called on DFI Minister Nichola Mallon to establish a driving theory test centre in Co. Fermanagh.

During this month’s Environmental Services Committee meeting of the Council, Councillor McCaffery voiced this frustration. He said: “For too long, people from Fermanagh have had to travel to Omagh to do their driving theory tests.

“Clearly, the current arrangement is no longer fit for purpose. The Pearson Professional Centre in Omagh does not have the capacity to meet the current demand, and the huge backlog of people needing their theory tests. There is a real need to establish a centre in Fermanagh.

"I recently helped some constituents, both young and old, in booking their theory tests and there were no appointments available for this summer whatsoever in Omagh.

“This means many Fermanagh people are being forced to wait until September or October, or hold out for cancellations, or the most unfair of all options – to travel as far away as Ballymena – to do their tests, which means more than four hours's travel time."

Councillor McCaffrey raised the issue on the location of theory test centres. He said: “We are the only county in the North not to have its own centre.

“It should be noted that there are two centres in Ballymena, and at five other centres across the North, including Omagh, Newry, Derry city, Belfast, and Portadown, while Fermanagh is forgotten about once again.

“I called on DFI Minister Nichola Mallon to establish a theory test centre in Enniskillen that will offer a service to all the people of Fermanagh, instead of forcing people to travel all across the North to complete these tests.

“As I understand it, the Department of Infrastructure may be bringing this service in-house by September, meaning the Department will be solely responsible for the theory test provision, so the challenge is now whether the Minister is serious about correcting this inequality of provision of services."