Britain's biggest driving school struggles to meet demand as test backlog grows

The UK's largest driving school has revealed it needs 300 new instructors to help keep up with the demand as pupil registrations increased by 5 per cent

The UK's largest driving school, the AA, is in need of an additional 300 instructors to meet growing demand.

AA figures reveal a 5 per cent increase in pupil registrations this year, indicating a heightened need for jobs in the sector.

Notably, regional increases include a staggering rise of 127 per cent in Salisbury and 97 per cent in Oldham. Cities such as Liverpool, Oldham, and Bristol are particularly in need of new instructors.

Camilla Benitz, AA Driving School managing director, commented: "We have seen significant regional booms of increased pupil registrations this year. t's likely this increase in pupil demand is linked to the high waiting times for driving tests.

"As it is taking longer for driving instructors to get their current pupils through their test, new pupil slots are not becoming available as often, meaning there is pent-up demand.

"Many of the areas showing high levels of new pupil registrations are densely populated urban areas and we need additional instructors to match that demand."

Government statistics show a 3 per cent increase in provisional licence holding between May 2023 and May 2024. This increase doubled among 25-to-30 year olds, with a 6 per cent increase during the same timeframe.

Furthermore, a DVSA survey of over 5,000 driving instructors found that 70 per cent are not accepting new students, despite 20 per cent having increased their working hours in the past year.

To manage the high demand, 63 per cent of instructors have implemented a waiting list, with 10 per cent having over 20 people waiting for a spot. Notably, 15 per cent of instructors anticipate maintaining this waiting list system for more than a year.

Trish Hubbard, an AA Driving School franchisee, expanded her teaching area to Bristol this year due to high demand. She commented: "Learner demand is certainly very high at the moment, especially in Avonmouth and at times I have had to close my diary as I can't take any more pupils on.

"I feel sorry for pupils if I have to turn them down or ask them to wait. I choose to work 40-hours a week, as I like to earn well and be kept busy."

The top 10 areas in need of new driving instructors are:

1. Liverpool.
2. Oldham.
3. Bristol.
4. West London.
5. Blackburn.
6. Edinburgh.
7. Harrow.
8. Medway.
9. Salisbury.
10. Motherwell.