Trainee Driving Instructors Facing Months-Long Waits to Qualify

A growing number of trainee driving instructors across the UK say they are being left in limbo for months, unable to complete their qualifications due to a shortage of examiners.

According to new figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), more than 19,000 people applied to begin the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) qualification process during 2024–25 — a 17% rise compared with the previous year. The surge in demand has put increasing strain on an already stretched testing system.

Since 2018–19, the number of people seeking to qualify as driving instructors has jumped by over 150%, reflecting both a growing interest in the profession and the persistent shortage of qualified instructors on UK roads.

However, many trainees report that progress has stalled. They say long waits for tests — particularly the Part 2 (driving ability) and Part 3 (instructional ability) assessments — are leaving them unable to qualify and begin work.

“It’s a total mess,” said one frustrated trainee. “There’s huge demand for driving lessons, but we can’t get new instructors out on the road because there aren’t enough examiners to test us.”

The DVSA confirmed it has seen a significant rise in applications but said it does not hold detailed data on waiting times for instructor tests. A spokesperson advised trainees to use the agency’s “book to hold” system, which allows candidates to reserve tests and monitor availability. This, the DVSA said, “provides an accurate picture of where demand is highest and helps ensure examiner resources are deployed effectively.”

But industry figures say the problem runs deeper. Tom Stenson, from the ADI National Joint Council (NJJC), said many trainees were struggling to book test slots — with some waiting as long as nine months.

“We’re hearing from people all over the country who are stuck in the system,” said Stenson. “They’ve completed their training, but there’s simply no availability for the final tests. It’s incredibly frustrating and financially damaging for those trying to start their new careers.”

The issue has knock-on effects for learner drivers too. Recent statistics from the AA show that waiting times for practical driving tests have almost doubled between September 2020 and 2024. With fewer instructors entering the profession and record numbers of learners trying to book lessons, the backlog is expected to continue well into next year.

Industry bodies have called for the DVSA to recruit and train more examiners to meet demand and to explore temporary measures — such as evening or weekend testing — to help ease the pressure.

For now, many trainees remain caught between a surge of opportunity and a shortage of capacity — eager to teach, but stuck waiting for a chance to prove they’re ready.