This year, driving pupil registrations have seen a 5 per cent increase, as revealed by AA figures, pointing towards a rising need for jobs in the sector.
Remarkably, Salisbury and Oldham have experienced regional increases of 127 per cent and 97 per cent respectively. Cities such as Liverpool, Oldham, and Bristol are particularly in need of new instructors.
Camilla Benitz, the managing director of AA Driving School, remarked: “We have seen significant regional booms of increased pupil registrations this year. It’s likely this increase in pupil demand is linked to the high waiting times for driving tests.
“Due to the longer time it takes for driving instructors to get their current pupils through their test, new pupil slots are not becoming available as often, leading to pent-up demand.
“Densely populated urban areas are showing high levels of new pupil registrations and we need additional instructors to match that demand.”
Between May 2023 and May 2024, government statistics indicate a 3 per cent rise in provisional licence holding. This increase doubled among 25-to-30 year olds, with a 6 per cent increase during the same timeframe.
Moreover, a DVSA survey involving over 5,000 driving instructors found that despite 20 per cent having increased their working hours in the past year, 70 per cent are not accepting new students.
To cope with soaring demand, 63 per cent of driving instructors are reported to have started using a waiting list, and notably, 10 per cent find themselves swamped with over 20 eager learners on standby. Some 15 per cent of tutors predict the need for a waiting list could persist beyond the next year.
Trish Hubbard, who runs an AA Driving School franchise, has widened her horizons to include Bristol this year in response to staggering demand. She shared: “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:
- Liverpool.
- Oldham.
- Bristol.
- West London.
- Blackburn.
- Edinburgh.
- Harrow.
- Medway.
- Salisbury.
- Motherwell.