Since the virus reached our shores at the start of 2020 and the lockdowns began, in common with many other industries, driver training has been hit very hard by the pandemic.
Classified as a non essential "close contact" industry for social distancing purposes, from the 1st lockdown (23rd March 2020) to the present day (10th February 2021) instructors have been unable to work for a total of 7 months so far, and this figure is rising with every passing week.
Even now, we still have no idea when we will be allowed to return to work, and all of this uncertainty is having a profound effect, on individual instructors, their businesses, and the industry as a whole.
During the first and second lockdowns (23rd March to 4th July 2020 and November 2020), many instructors were forced to quit the industry to find salaried jobs to pay their bills. Quite simply, the uncertainty around work meant that many couldn't survive financially.
The reduction in numbers was very apparent on the road when we eventually returned to work for a brief period between lockdowns 1 and 2. Many learners found themselves without an instructor.
To give you an idea, on an average day among the general enquiries, I get 2 good quality lesson enquiries, and these keep me consistently busy. After the first lockdown, my enquiries increased tenfold.
Demand for lessons significantly outstripped supply, and my guess is that is likely to be the case again when the industry re-starts.
Indeed, after the first lockdown, and following weeks of searching, my Niece found it impossible to find an automatic instructor who wasn't booked up months ahead.
In my Niece's case, her parents bought her an automatic car and taught her the basics. I then took over and we did the course in her car in my spare time. Thankfully, she passed her driving test several days before the 3rd lockdown (19th December) was announced.
This isn't something I would usually do as I teach manual, but because my Niece couldn't source an auto instructor, we had to be creative. Thankfully, it all worked out, otherwise she would now be waiting for another test date, which could be well into the 2nd half of 2021.
What else has changed?
During the various lockdowns hundreds of thousands of Theory and Practical tests have been cancelled, creating big backlogs of candidates and long waiting times.
As at December 2020, the waiting time for a driving test at Isleworth was around 5 months. In some parts of the country, this time was even longer. Since then, many more driving and Theory tests will have been cancelled.
I still have one client on my books who was due to take their test just a couple of days before the first lockdown, but it was cancelled. They then had multiple tests re-booked and cancelled. Their most recent test was scheduled for Feb 2021, but, again, that has been cancelled.
Until the industry re-starts, we have absolutely no idea when they will actually get a date without it being cancelled. March 2021 will be the anniversary of their first test cancellation.
That individual should have had their licence for a year now, and this story will be replicated across the country.
We have no idea how the industry will look until it re-starts. In all honesty, though, I cannot see calm waters ahead for some time.
The other major change is pricing. In common with other close contact industries, for example hairdressers / barbers, prices have unfortunately increased.
When I had my first haircut after the March lockdown, it cost 40% more than usual. Frankly, though, I expected it.
The thing that all businesses have in common is that irrespective of whether the business is actually trading, or not, the costs of maintaining that business don't go away. These still have to be paid until such times as it becomes self supporting again.
In most cases, the only way for a business owner to fill the financial black hole created by long periods with little or no income is to increase it's prices. Thoroughly regrettable, but unavoidable.
Prior to the Covid outbreak, the average lesson price in our area was around £28p/h.
Now, there are at least 4 local driving schools that will be charging £35p/h, and many more will have breached £30p/h for the first time.
Many instructors and driving schools have scaled back block discounts too. Some have removed them altogether.
Many businesses have been allowed to trade through the pandemic, but others, like driver training, have not. So, when the industry does re-start, don't expect things to look like they did prior to March 2020.
Expectations on what is achievable need to be scaled back to more realistic levels until things sort themselves out. People will need to be patient.
Learners can help themselves by enquiring early to secure the services of an instructor. Be prepared for a wait to actually start lessons, though. When you do begin, those lessons are likely to cost more. Lastly, be prepared for a potentially lengthy wait for the various tests, particularly the Practical Test.
Indeed, it could take a considerable amount of time for the industry to return to something resembling normal, and that assumes there will be no more lockdowns.
Fingers crossed the vaccines do their job, and the numbers affected keep falling, thus allowing a proper return to work. Not just for driver trainers, but also for those other, mostly self employed, industries that have had it tough during the last year.
Until then, keep well and stay safe.
