It’s hard to believe, but it’s been five years since driving instructors were officially allowed back to work after COVID-19 shut the world down. July 2021 saw engines start again, windows cracked open, masks stashed in gloveboxes and ADIs returning to the front seats of their cars, often with more questions than answers.

So where are we now? What’s changed? What hasn’t? And what should we be watching out for?

The Return to “Normal” Wasn’t One-Size-Fits-All

If you asked ten instructors how they adjusted post-lockdown, you’d get twelve answers. Some are still cautious, wearing masks if they’ve got the sniffles, sticking to window ventilation. While others returned to pre-COVID habits the moment restrictions lifted. That variety is still visible today, not just in health practices but in working hours, pricing and even attitudes to the job.

One major shift? Fewer instructors are willing to work evenings and weekends. Lockdown gave many a taste of life beyond the pedals, and some haven’t looked back. The work-life balance conversation that started during the pandemic seems to have stuck and, arguably, that’s no bad thing.

Supply, Demand and a Pricing Reality Check

Lesson prices have climbed steadily, and for once it’s not just inflation talking. Demand shot up during the post-lockdown test panic, and supply simply hasn’t kept pace. As a result, the market has tolerated and even supported a higher average hourly rate.

But we should be careful. There are rumblings of change, with instructors reporting a slowdown or levelling out in enquiries. It’s not a crisis, but it’s a signal: now is the time to focus on value, standards, and professionalism not panic-discounting or racing to the bottom.

The PDI Surge – A Blessing or a Bottleneck?

The industry continues to see a wave of new PDIs post-lockdown, but many have found themselves unsupported, frustrated, and unable to access their Part 2 or Part 3 tests. The most common conversation we have at the DITC is that PDIs are being drowned in advice and they can’t see the wood for the trees. The system’s cracks have become crevices and we’re seeing new entrants stall not because of ability but because of DVSA limitations. It’s not just bad for them, it affects the whole ecosystem.

The added pressure on mental health can’t be ignored. ADIs are still shouldering the weight of a broken system, especially when it comes to tests. We’re expected to prepare learners for something they often can’t book, and when they do it’s treated like gold dust. The panic has led to desperate behaviours and a repeat of that infamous toilet roll moment: scarcity breeds madness.

Theory Delays and the Referral Shift

One side effect that’s been quietly growing is the theory logjam. Some learners are test-ready on the road but stuck at the theory stage, unable to book a practical test until they’ve passed. There’s been a clear shift with Theory Test Explained seeing more learners are being referred before multiple failures, which is a step forward. But the pressure’s rising especially for those who struggle with traditional theory formats.

DVSA: Plenty of Plans, Not Enough Progress

The DVSA have been loud about their 7-point plan, and we’ve seen some small wins. Deploying warrant card holders (examiners from elsewhere) gave a short-term boost but when they returned to their main duties the benefits disappeared – with waits in some areas returning to even higher levels. They’re trying again but unless recruitment and retention improve it’s hard to feel optimistic.

Examiners are leaving or not staying long enough. Pay is fixed by government bands making it a tough sell to new recruits. Until something shifts in how the role is rewarded, the DVSA will be chasing its tail.

Proposals from within the industry – like the DITC’s call to temporarily raise the minimum test age, or to implement a fail-based wait period before retests – have mostly been dismissed, usually on the grounds of “needing legislation.” And yet, resale of tests by bots and third parties (often ADIs) continues, legal perhaps, but ethically questionable and utterly out of control.

Local Solutions Filling National Gaps

What we’re seeing more of, and leaning on, are local often informal groups stepping up to fill DVSA gaps. Test swaps, instructor forums, and word-of-mouth networks are keeping learners on the road and instructors sane. It’s not ideal but it shows the power and resilience of the community when the official systems can’t keep up.

Final Thoughts

We’re five years on, and while much has improved from those first chaotic months, the challenges now feel deeper, less reactive, and more structural. The DVSA has acknowledged many of the issues, but acknowledgements don’t fix things. Instructors are tired of being blamed, misrepresented, and expected to do more with less.

But we’ve also seen the strength of the industry! The innovation, the collaboration, the refusal to accept “it’s just how it is.” There’s a real opportunity here, not just to bounce back but to build something better. This is where The DITC was born and this is where The DITC will continue to bang the drum. Loudly, constructively, and with both eyes open. Your support is not just appreciated, it is vital – If you haven’t yet please consider joining us to provide a voice for you, your business and your community. (theditc.co.uk)