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RAA says a shortage of professional driving instructors is creating a log jam for learners seeking to become p-platers.
There has been a long wait for driving lessons which is causing significant community frustration.
And the situation is not about to improve anytime soon.
We recently released State Government data which shows there’s been a surge in learner drivers, with 67,232 learner permit holders in SA in June, 10,000 (or 17%) more than the same time two years ago.
A backlog created by Covid lockdown, as well as more people choosing to drive rather than take public transport in the Covid era, have been cited as reasons for the increase.
RAA, which runs the state’s largest driving school, has raised the instructor shortage issue with the State Government.
Our Community Engagement Senior Manager Ben Haythorpe said the government needs to help break the gridlock.
“There is a definite lack of driving instructors and a lack of RTOs (registered training organisations) that can train new driving instructors in Certificate IV in Driving,” he said.
“There is, we believe, only one place in SA that does that, and it is in Nuriootpa which isn’t very convenient if you live in Noarlunga.”
Mr Haythorpe said demand for driving instructors was also high across Australia, due to the same reasons.
Mr Haythorpe reminded learner permit holders and their supervising drivers to take advantage of the free Keys2Drive lesson.
Keys2drive – a program funded by the Federal Government – provides a free one hour lesson for beginner drivers and a parent or supervisor with an accredited instructor, who’ll equip them with tools and tips, like where and when it’s best to practise, and how to handle nerves.
For more information visit Keys2drive