There are several factors in why waiting times for driving lessons are long. Here are just a few reasons why you are waiting so long to start your tuition.
Yes! Believe it or not Covid still has an impact as young drivers from the cohort that were unable to start their lessons are still being fed into the system.
There were just over 2.1 million tests last year, but 6 million people trying to book one. That means students are not able to move on as quickly and create a space for new starters. Last year the DVSA set themselves a target to reduce waiting times for driving tests to 7 weeks. Regrettably this was not achieved and nationally the average waiting time for a test is 16 weeks. Driving tests are released each week on a Monday at 6am and locally in Darlington and Northallerton there are just a handful of tests available within the 6 month booking window, with no tests in Darlington as I write.
From my personal perspective the majority of my clients have special educational needs. Make no mistake; this is an area of tuition that I love and thrive to work within. It does mean though that some people take a little longer than average to reach the required standard. That said I have taken 20 students to their driving test in 2024 with 5 more scheduled before the end of the year. So around 2 to 3 a month.
It's nice to be popular! Seriously, I am always humbled by the interest and commitment in me from students who want to learn to drive. It's something I never take for granted. Thank you.
Did you know that I also have clients from Barnard Castle to Northallerton, taking in Darlington, Richmond, Catterick and Bedale as well as the outlying villages along the way. Automatic tuition is very popular and instructors seem few and far between.
My working day in the winter is reduced with the darker evenings. I found that whilst it’s important to learn to drive in the dark, if your lessons are solely at night, clients generally take longer making it more expensive for you and making individual lessons more difficult.
If you are waiting to start your lessons the thing I like most from new students is if they are specific about their availability: days, times, pickup and drop off locations, because all that makes it run smoother. You may be the next person on my waiting list, but the availability I have may not fit with yours. Likewise, you might be halfway down my waiting list, but you are the first person who suits the availability I have.
All instructors would love an Admin assistant to help take calls, answer messages, arrange diary, and all the other jobs we never have time to do, but in reality we don't. We are mostly a one-person business trying our best to be successful.
So, if you are waiting and have been waiting for some time, I’m really sorry but I hope this message helps you with your future planning, preparation and understanding. Remember if I have confirmed your interest your details are safe with me and importantly you have not been forgotten!
Please do reach out and ask any questions you have.
Jonathan
