Being able to drive a car is a key life skill that can inform our choice of career as well as improve our job prospects.
But, due to increased demand and the legacy of Covid lockdown when driving test centres were shut, learner drivers are currently waiting around 20 weeks for a practical test date.
Latest figures from the DVSA, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, put the driving test backlog at more than 630,000, with 631,472 practical driving tests booked as of May 31, 2025, against 527,368 the year before.
And, although the government is looking at ways to cut wait times, such as by training more examiners and altering the booking system to prevent mass test bookings by bots, learners still struggle to book a test date.
Apprentices and learning to drive
For many young people passing their driving test and having their own ‘wheels’ sits high on their list of priorities. But with driving lessons priced at between £25 and £30 an hour, and most learners needing around 45 lessons before they’re test-ready, learning to drive is costly in both time and money.
Lucky learners will get financial help from the bank of mum and dad, or grandma and granddad, allowing them to sign up with a driving school as soon as they turn 17. Others though, will have to fit in lessons around working and/or studying, saving up and taking casual jobs to pay for their driving instruction.
Avoiding bumps in the road with good communication
Learning to drive isn’t listed as off-the-job training (OTJT) on apprentice programmes. Any OTJT must relate directly to the key skills and behaviours an apprentice will need in their role, and driving doesn’t count.
Learners need to take their driving lessons in their own time and pay for them out of their own pockets; employers aren’t expected to give apprentices time off work for lessons or tests – or to meet the cost. But, where an apprentice can find the time and money to learn to drive, some moral support at work is much appreciated.
Apprenticeship applicants should let employers and training providers know right from the start of their programme if they’re learning to drive. And if, by some piece of good fortune, they’ve already got a test booked, they should share that information too.
If employers and training providers are kept in the picture, they can make sure driving tests don’t clash with other crucial events on the apprentice’s training calendar. With tests currently like gold dust, and bookable just one at a time, learners won’t want to be giving up their slot and rejoining the queue.
Employers can also help by making small changes to the rota, perhaps allowing apprentices to squeeze in one or two driving lessons during the working week.
They could, for instance, occasionally let learners take one hour instead of half an hour for lunch – enough time for a lesson – on the understanding that the extra 30 minutes owed is made up later.
Some apprentices who already have their L plates might decide to ‘park’ their lessons until they’re qualified and can afford the time and money. It’s a shame though to stop/start driving tuition like this as learners can lose momentum and might need to shell out more for additional lessons ahead of their tests.
Not all jobs require employees to hold a driving licence, but most employers would agree that it’s convenient to have car drivers on their staff. Learning to drive and the joy of throwing away your L plates builds confidence and self-belief – worthwhile qualities in any workforce, so being supportive to learners makes sound business sense.
Driving learning with OneFile
As the leading learner management platform, we at Onefile fully understand the pressures apprentices are already under to study, work and train while on their course.
And, learning to drive while doing an apprenticeship is a further commitment on their time.
Fortunately, we can help. Our integrated learning systems put apprentices in the driving seat, giving them all the tools they need to manage their workload on the road ahead.