The Driving Instructor Shortage in 2026: How It’s Affecting Learners and Test Availability
The Driving Instructor Shortage in 2026: How It’s Affecting Learners and Test Availability
If you have struggled to find a driving instructor with space on their books, or waited months for a practical test, you are not imagining it. The UK is facing a stubborn shortage of approved driving instructors (ADIs) in 2026, and it is one of the hidden drivers behind the long test waiting times making headlines. Here is what is happening, why it matters for learners, and what you can do to keep your progress moving.
How Big Is the Instructor Shortage?
The DVSA’s register of approved driving instructors has been shrinking for years. From around 46,000 registered ADIs in 2016, numbers fell to roughly 39,000 by 2024, with current estimates putting the active total at about 37,000–38,000. In many areas — especially fast-growing suburbs and university cities — new learners now wait several weeks or even months just to secure a regular slot with an instructor.
The Knock-On Effect: Test Waiting Times
Fewer instructors means fewer learners getting test-ready in time to fill the available test slots — and the backlog is enormous. More than 600,000 learners are waiting for a practical test across Great Britain, and in many areas the wait sits at around 12–20 weeks, with plenty of centres hitting the maximum booking window of 24 weeks. The DVSA has said it wants to bring average waits down to seven weeks, but current projections suggest that target may not be met until 2027.
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Why the Shortage Happened
Several factors combined to thin the ranks. A wave of experienced instructors retired, training and qualifying as an ADI takes time and money, and the pandemic backlog created a surge in demand that the profession has never fully caught up with. At the same time, soaring demand for tests has made instructors’ diaries busier than ever, leaving little room for new learners.
Rising Lesson Costs
Simple supply and demand has pushed prices up. The average hourly lesson rate in England has climbed from roughly £28–30 in 2020 to about £35–45 in 2026, and in London and the South East it often exceeds £50 an hour. For learners on a budget, that makes every lesson count — and makes low-cost private practice more valuable than ever.
Recent DVSA Booking Changes
To crack down on bots and touts reselling scarce test slots, the DVSA introduced booking changes in spring 2026. Instructors can no longer book tests on behalf of their pupils, and learners are limited in how many times they can change an appointment. The aim is to free up genuine slots, though it does mean learners need to manage their own bookings more carefully than before.
What Learners Can Do
You cannot fix the shortage single-handedly, but you can protect your own timeline. Get on an instructor’s waiting list early, even before you feel ready. Make every paid lesson productive by practising privately between sessions with a supervising driver aged 21+ who has held a full licence for at least three years. Learn the roads around your chosen test centre in advance so lessons focus on polish rather than orientation. And book your test as soon as you are realistically close to test-ready, because the wait itself is often the longest part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it so hard to find a driving instructor in 2026?
The number of approved instructors has fallen to around 37,000–38,000 while demand for lessons has surged, so many instructors have long waiting lists.
How long is the wait for a practical test?
In many areas it is around 12–20 weeks, with some centres at the maximum 24-week booking window. The DVSA hopes to cut average waits to seven weeks, possibly by 2027.
How much do driving lessons cost now?
Typically £35–45 an hour in England in 2026, and often more than £50 in London and the South East.
How can I make progress despite the shortage?
Join an instructor’s waiting list early, practise privately between lessons with a qualified supervising driver, and learn your test-centre routes in advance to get the most from each session.
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