Learners ‘still facing a long wait’

THE pressures around learning to drive and passing a driving test will continue into 2022, according to research.

A survey of 150 driving instructors from across the country by Young Driver shows 70 per cent say they still have a waiting list for starting lessons. And 39 per cent of those admitted pupils are in for a long delay before they can begin learning.

Meanwhile, 66 per cent also said that the waits for driving tests haven’t reduced at all, with many of their pupils facing long delays before they can book their practical assessment.

The remaining 34 per cent felt things had improved slightly since the summer – but zero respondents to the survey reckoned it was anywhere near being “back to normal”.

Young Driver, the UK’s largest pre-17 driving school, asked instructors for their advice to those waiting to begin learning on the road.

Instructors said 16-year-olds should apply for their provisional licence in plenty of time, as well as trying to secure a driving instructor up to six months before when they want to begin lessons. Many advised that learners should also use the opportunity to get ahead in their theory knowledge.

Young Driver marketing boss Sue Waterfield said: “We work with driving instructors across the UK and, from what we’re hearing, things aren’t improving at all when it comes to getting learners through their lessons and passing their tests.

“Driving is an essential life skill for many young people. So, denying them that opportunity can have huge repercussions in terms of education, employment and mental wellbeing.

“At Young Driver, we have had an increase in 16 and 17-yearolds taking lessons to prepare the best they can for when they manage to get an on-the-road instructor.

“In lockdown, we launched an app to help prepare for the theory test, as well as 360-degree VR tuition videos that cover different situations on the road.”

Visit www.youngdriver.com for more information.