The driving Standards Agency has been accused of "washing its hands" of plans to open a larger test centre in Oxford and failing to end exam delays.

In November 2000, the agency shut its Marston Road centre and opened a smaller "temporary" centre in James Wolfe Road, Cowley. At the time, it said it would look for another permanent site.

But Christopher Smith, of the Oxfordshire Driving Instructors Association, said the promise had "fallen by the wayside" and accused the agency of failing learner drivers by not doing enough to tackle test delays.

However, the agency said it was still looking for a suitable centre and put delays down to a shortage of examiners.

Mr Smith said: "Our committee has been told there are no plans to open another test centre in Oxford. Last month, we were told that it wasn't going to happen. The DSA have washed their hands of it.

"Instructors are getting extremely angry about what's going on. At Cowley the facilities aren't being used to their full potential and that's increasing test delays."

According to the DSA, delays for tests in Oxford are 18 weeks and 13 weeks in Banbury.

Driving examiners are working to rule in a protest over pay and working conditions, but the action is no longer affecting learner's tests.

Student Peter Giles, 17, of Eynsham, near Witney, was among those who had their tests cancelled in February, when the work-to-rule began.

He travelled to Cheltenham last week to take a test and passed. His mother Rose said: "We couldn't get any tests in Oxford. This cost us more, but it was worth it to see him pass."

A spokesman for the DSA said a recruitment campaign was under way. She added: "We're still looking for a centre in Oxford. The problem is finding somewhere suitable."