The state government department responsible for the move has hosed down claims the pending relocation will inconvenience truck drivers picking up log books saying heavy vehicle log books account for less than 1 per cent of RMS transactions.

Currently 260 customers visit the motor registry each weekday, and the office receives more than 100 customers on a Saturday.

Senior executives from both Service NSW and Roads and Maritime Services agreed to work with Orange City Council to achieve the best outcome for the wider community at a meeting on Friday.

But a spokesman for Service NSW confirmed the department would press ahead with the relocation and the new office would be open by mid 2013.

“Bathurst, Wellington and other RMS motor registries also provide log book services,” he said.

“When picking up a log book, truck drivers are not required to bring in their heavy vehicle and may travel to the centre by alternative means.”

But veteran truck driver George White slammed the comments and said the “ridiculous” relocation would affect drivers of all vehicles.

“It’s not just trucks with log books,” he said.

“What about someone who has to go to register a boat trailer?

“I’ve been a truck driver for 55 years and when you drive out there [to Leewood Estate] you see B-doubles parked out the front.”

He said drivers who visit the motor registry will now have the added inconvenience of finding a parking spot in the busy central business district street.

“You’ve got a young person going to get their licence who is stressed out. Where are they going to park,” he said.

“Or an older person trying to get their 80 year old driving test?”

Mr White wrote to member for Orange Andrew Gee and Roads Minister Duncan Gay about his concerns and received a letter back on November 1 saying his complaint had been passed on to the department handling the relocation - The Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Since then he has received no further correspondence from the state government.

Mr White rejected suggestions drivers could park across the road in the council’s Ophir car park saying most would be reluctant to pay $3 for all-day parking.

The Services NSW spokesman said the Lords Place location was chosen after an assessment of all current state government shop fronts in Orange. 

“The selection of the Lords Place site was based on the fact that it provides the people and businesses of Orange with a more central and convenient location with convenient parking for customers and employees,” he said.

The Service NSW centre will open from 7am to 7pm weekdays and 9am to 3pm Saturdays.

clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au