The SNCA will open a new driving test site in Friedhof in July, abandoning the current centre in Wiltz.

In July, the National Society of Automobile Traffic (SNCA) will open a new site in Friedhof, which will group together all automobile services for northern Luxembourg. However, the opening of the centre will force closures elsewhere, with Wiltz bearing the brunt of the changes.

Lescht Sortie Fridhaff: Wolz verléiert de praktesche Führerschäinsexamen

Once the SNCA centre closes down in the Ardennes city, pupils will have to drive up to 50 kilometres in order to practise and prepare for their practical driving tests in the Nordstad area. DP MP André Bauler, who represents the northern constituency, submitted a parliamentary question asking mobility minister François Bausch to reconsider the decision, saying it would be detrimental to decentralisation and resource consumption. Bauler suggested looking for new premises with the municipality of Wiltz.

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Bausch is yet to respond to the query but the local authorities in Wiltz have thrown their full support between Bauler's proposal. Wiltz mayor Fränk Arndt said he would do everything possible to keep the SNCA office in the city, and had requested a meeting with Bausch to discuss the issue.

The population of Wiltz is predicted to grow to 11,000 inhabitants over the next few years as the city is positioned as a regional centre of development. Municipal officials say they cannot understand why the service is being withdrawn, nor why the issue was not raised sooner.
The SNCA announced plans to move to the new site as early as 2020, but it was not clear whether practical exams would end in Wiltz or not. The subject was feasibly forgotten due to the delay, but it is possible the looming municipal elections have once again pushed it to the fore.

Manuel Ruggiu, director of the SNCA, said the criticism was not fully understandable, as it was not necessary for candidates to practise the test where the practical exam takes place. He added that exam itineraries were not defined in advance, and students are expected to be able to drive anywhere in Luxembourg. Residents in the north start practical exams in Ingeldorf, Diekirch and Wiltz. Ruggiu added the Wiltz training site was not optimal, and the Friedhof site would boast a 100 metre long, 20 metre wide track for optimal conditions.

The owner of a fairly large driving school in Wiltz and Clervaux said he was disappointed with the decision, claiming pupils would have to plan for more hours. He also questioned whether the new site would have sufficient space to accommodate all exams - an issue which had not surfaced in Wiltz.

According to the SNCA, on average there are 16 category B driving tests every week in Wiltz, with capacity for nine tests per day.