Authors Matt Lloyd and Miriam Hide report that the backlog of learner drivers waiting to take their practical driving tests is growing due to a shortage of training instructors. Instructors cite delays in booking exams, high costs, and a complex testing process as factors deterring people from joining the industry. The UK government aims to double examiner training capacity by summer 2026 to address the issue, but some instructors are skeptical and fear the system may come to a standstill.
According to a BBC investigation, three-quarters of the 319 driving test centers in Great Britain have reached the maximum average waiting time of 24 weeks to book a practical test. The number of registered approved driving instructors (ADIs) has decreased by 10% over the past decade, and there has been a significant drop in new registrations for the 2024-25 period. Trainee instructors often face long waits for exam dates, making it challenging for them to complete the required training within the designated timeframe.
Elwyn Marfell-Jones, a driving school principal in Swansea, highlights the shortage of examiners and the impact on training new instructors. He emphasizes the increasing difficulty and high costs associated with becoming a driving instructor, as well as the low pass rates on tests. Despite teaching several trainee instructors, Marfell-Jones is concerned that some may not finish the course due to test cancellations and long waiting periods for new exam dates.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has directed the DVSA to enhance efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests. This includes a plan to double examiner training capacity by summer 2026. However, Lynne Barrie, president of the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council, expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures, noting that the current strategies have not been successful. Barrie emphasizes the need to address issues such as fraudulent test slot selling to alleviate the challenges faced in the industry
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