Driving schools across Stamford and Rutland say they've been inundated with calls from people wanting lessons

It's since restrictions were eased - they're expecting major backlogs for tests

Road
Author: Julie CastonPublished 22nd Apr 2021

Driving instructors in Stamford and Rutland fear there could be huge waiting lists to take a test following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Today's the first day examiners will be assessing learner drivers. However it's thought there could be a major backlog and a 6 month waiting list.

Mark Woodcock from the Rutland driving school says it could mean some people take tests when they're not ready:

"that gets difficult because of the span of time that people who've not been driving and not having lessons. On one hand you're being encouraged or your being pushed a little to get people to test as soon as you can when really perhaps we could do with a bit more time"

Mark says there's been a huge demand for lessons:

"It's gone off the board. I've always been busy fortunately - but it's just crazy. I had to turn my phone off today. Normally I've got a function where if I'm in a lesson it just diverts but there were so many calls it stopped working. I haven't got that capacity so I'm literally just having to put people off until the end of the summer"

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