Driving instructor shortage ‘adding to test delays’

A shortage of training instructors is contributing to the backlog of learner drivers waiting to sit their practical test.

Instructors have said delays in booking their own exams, “astronomical” costs and a “convoluted” testing process are deterring people from the industry.

The UK government’s department of transport said it was aiming to double examiner training capacity by summer 2026.

But instructors have questioned the plans and fear the system is at risk of “grinding to a halt”.

Three quarters of the 319 driving test centres across Great Britain have hit the maximum average waiting time of 24 weeks to book a practical test, the BBC has found.

Among the problems is fewer instructors.

The number of registered approved driving instructors (ADIs) has seen a 10% fall over the past decade, while the number of new registrations for 2024-25 (1,553) was half that of the previous year, according to Department of Transport figures.

Trainee instructors have two years from the date of sitting the first of four tests to qualify, but often have to wait months for an exam date, leaving many struggling to complete the course in the required timeframe.

“There are just not enough examiners to go around,” said Elwyn Marfell-Jones, 60, principal instructor of Auto Learners driving school in Swansea.

“Many are being pulled across to help clear the backlog of driver tests but that is having a knock-on effect for teaching new instructors and examiners.

“We’re in a mess when you consider this problem has been getting steadily worse since Covid and nothing has been done about it. It’s been coming and the system is going to come to a grinding halt.

“The expense can now be astronomical with the cost of tests and paying £50 an hour for at least 40 hours training.

“And the tests are prohibitively difficult. When you have a very low pass rate of about 28%, you have to ask if something is wrong with the tests.”

Mr Marfell-Jones is teaching four trainee instructors but fears not all will complete the course.

“One instructor had her test cancelled on the morning of the test and had to wait four months for a new date,” he said.

“The stress and expense of getting through the training in an ever diminishing window could well prove too much for her.

“She has worked really hard to get a new career while also being a carer at home, but has been hugely frustrated by the lack of tests available.

“I think she is seriously questioning whether to carry on, which would be a real shame because we don’t have enough instructors, let alone female instructors in the industry.”

There are also concerns that instructors are unable to undergo a standards check every four years – sometimes waiting up to twice that long.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has instructed the DVSA to intensify efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests

That will include doubling examiner training capacity by summer 2026 to ensure newly recruited driving examiners can qualify “as quickly as possible”.

Lynne Barrie, president of the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council, is sceptical.

“The seven-point plan, which they started to introduce in December 2024, just is not working,” she said.

“Some 25% of it was about consultations but that’s not action, and whilst we are getting new examiners in, there are a large number leaving the profession as well.”

She added: “We can have as many driving examiners and tests as we like but until we stop people selling on test slots for fraudulent amounts of money then the situation will remain challenging.”