In a bid to reduce wait times, the province of Ontario is extending operating hours at Brampton’s driver’s test centre on Steeles Avenue, as well as a number of other centres across the province.
Since this past summer the city’s lone centre for conducting written and road drivers tests has suffered massive backlog, causing ridiculous wait times. In August people were reporting wait times of two hours or more.
The problem is caused in part by Brampton’s ballooning population, but adding to the issue are a slow system, technical issues, and disorganized staff.
Going forward, the centre has extended its hours and will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. It will still remain closed on Sundays.
Nearby centres in Etobicoke, Newmarket, Downsview, Hamilton, Toronto Metro East, Ottawa Walkley, Kitchener and Port Union now also have extended hours.
The Ministry of Transportation has also announced a new centre will be built in Mississauga, which will alleviate stress from Brampton’s centre. It’s expected to serve 300,000 people per year and should be operational by summer 2018.