OFFICIAL figures have revealed how many driving tests have been cancelled in Galashiels and Peebles due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Data on the reasons behind cancellations of practical tests across the country is published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

The latest update – put issued in March this year – shows that 128 driving tests in Galashiels were called off because of the pandemic between April and December 2020.

Previous figures show that in March last year 57 were cancelled, giving a total of 185 tests not undertaken in the town because of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

The highest total to be cancelled during one month in Galashiels was in April last year, when 66 were called off. The lowest was in July (1).

READ MORE: Borders MSP welcomes inquiry into council's handling of complaints about teacher

Coronavirus was not the only cause for test cancellation in Galashiels between March and December last year.

Three tests were cancelled because of medical absences and a further three were called off for acts of nature – adverse weather conditions and bad light.

At Peebles Test Centre, 63 tests were called off because of the pandemic between April and December 2020.

In March last year 10 were cancelled, giving a total of 73 tests not undertaken in Peebles because of COVID-19.

The vast majority of cancelled tests in Peebles occurred during April last year, when 41 were called off.

In June, 14 tests did not go ahead because of the pandemic, while eight were cancelled in December.

READ MORE: Borders MP responds to fears that farmers would be hurt by UK-Australia deal

Unlike in Galashiels, coronavirus was the only cause for test cancellation in Peebles between March and December last year.

Driving lessons and tests have seen huge disruption in Scotland during the past 14 months, with Level 4 areas unable to proceed with any type of vehicle lessons, “unless all occupants are members of the same household”.

However, lessons were able to resume on Monday, April 26 as all of Scotland moved down to Level 3.

And tests were also allowed to start on Thursday, May 6, according to the UK Government website.

Robert Cowell, interim managing director of AA Driving School, said: “Many pupils will have either had a big break in lessons, which may impact their confidence, or have had to postpone driving lessons for many, many months.

“For young people, who have already suffered disruption to their education, not being able to learn to drive will compound an already stilted start to adult life.”

READ MORE: Shopping trolleys and mattresses recovered from Borders river during clean-up

Despite the cancellations, 255 tests took place in Galashiels between April and December 2020.

Of those tests, 172 were passes – giving the town a 67.5 per cent pass rate. This is higher than the British average during that period of 49.8 per cent.

In 2019-20, a total of 244 driving tests were taken in Peebles. Of those tests, 161 were passes – giving the town a 66 per cent pass rate, which is higher than the British average that year of 45.9 per cent. Figures for 2020-21 are not currently available for Peebles.

Across the United Kingdom, 458,000 tests could not take place because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.