Driving Schools in Dire Straits: Exam Delays and Instructor Shortage Plague the UK
The UK is experiencing a critical shortage of driving instructors, leading to significant delays for learner drivers waiting to take their practical driving tests. With a current average wait time of 24 weeks at three-quarters of the 319 driving test centres in Great Britain, the situation has escalated following a 10% decline in the number of approved driving instructors (ADIs) over the past decade. Factors contributing to this shortage include instructors facing ‘astronomical’ costs and complexities in the driving test process.
The Department of Transport aims to double the training capacity for driving examiners by summer 2026; however, many instructors express skepticism regarding this plan, arguing that the system may risk reaching a grinding halt. Elwyn Marfell-Jones, a driving school principal, voiced his concerns that the backlog of tests is overwhelming, leading to a scarcity of examiners dedicated to training new instructors.
Moreover, trainees face significant barriers, such as lengthy waits for exam dates, which can hinder their ability to qualify within the necessary two-year timeframe. Personal stories highlight the frustration, including an instructor whose test was cancelled last minute, leading to a four-month wait for a rescheduled date. This compounded stress and high costs discourage many from continuing their journey toward becoming certified instructors, raising alarms over the growing deficit of instructors, particularly female ones.
The lack of standard checks every four years further complicates matters, with instructors sometimes waiting twice as long as expected. While the Transport Secretary has mandated improvements to enhance access and reduce waiting times, industry leaders like Lynne Barrie emphasize that proposed solutions, including the seven-point plan, are insufficient if underlying issues such as the sale of test slots for profit are not addressed. This situation paints a dire picture of the UK’s driving instructor landscape, raising urgent questions about the future of driver education.