UK adults with full driving licences are being encouraged to train as approved driving instructors to help clear an enormous pandemic-related backlog of driving tests.
The industry is currently suffering an accumulation of 420,000 driving test bookings – one that is growing as more young adults turn 17.
The number of people taking their driving test over the past year fell nearly 73 percent, mostly due to cancelled tests caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many remain eager to get on the road, along with thousands more who are looking to take up driving and avoid public transport.
Despite this, the number of official qualified Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) in the UK is actually falling, from more than 39,000 in March 2020 to just over 38,000 in March 2021.
‘Playing catch-up’
Driving school Bill Plant, which is leading the call for adults to train as driving instructors, says the overall ratio of drivers to instructors “has changed dramatically”. This imbalance is predicted to stretch well into 2022.
“After the past 18 months the driving school industry has faced, we’re going to effectively be playing catch-up for a long time,” said head of training at Bill Plant, Peter Brabin.
“We’re calling on adults all over the UK who might be out of work or considering a career change to really think hard about becoming a driving instructor.”
A rise in the pass rate for driving theory tests is further proof of the demand for practical driving tests, added Mr Brabin.
The pass rate has grown 8.6 percent in a year, the highest since March 2014.
As for those lucky enough to get a slot for a practical driving test, records show 51 percent of learners passed first time – meaning the overall pass rate is the highest since records began in 2008.
It seems those who do finally take a practical driving test are making the most of it…
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