Wait times for driving lessons and tests have remained high due to the backlog of people who are still waiting to get their tests since the COVID lockdown.
Paul Howlett, an independent driving instructor based in North Walsham, said that the wait time for driving lessons in North Norfolk is around 4 months.
“… you’re looking at about March at the moment if you were to book a test today.”
COVID restrictions prevented lessons from taking place to try to stop the spread of the virus.
“There was a lot of backlog after Covid. There has actually been a lot of people coming to Norwich from other areas like London, Gloucester, and Birmingham because they can get tests here quicker than in their own area. This has made the wait times longer here and local people can’t get lessons as quick as they’d like to.”
Mr Howlett also stated that COVID has had an impact on how expensive lessons have become.
“Yes. The cost has increased because the demand is greater. A student who used to live in London told me that lessons cost £65 an hour because of the demand. The average price in Norwich is between £35 and £40 an hour.”
Paul believes that the hardest thing for young drivers is learning how to multitask while in the car.
“… Getting new cognitive skills and muscle skills to become second nature is hard. There’s lots going on inside and outside of the car. Some people can’t grasp it at the start while other people can get it straight away.”
With the increasing prices and wait times in Norfolk, young people may be having to save for and wait longer for lessons before they can become independent drivers.
