DVSA · 2025 survey
What instructors reported.
Explore lesson-price bands, working patterns, pupil demand, professional development and wellbeing. Use the findings to ask better questions about your own business.
3,448Survey responses
81Published tables
2025Survey edition; historical comparisons included
Survey responses, with limits.
Participation was voluntary: around 8% of the September 2025 ADI register responded. Question bases, periods and multi-select answers differ. Historical regional price bands are not current provider quotes or live availability.
81 matching tables.
What type of instructor are you?
3,496 people answered this question in 2025.
| Survey | Independent | Local driving school franchise | National driving school | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | 69.4% | 17.4% | 11.4% | 1.8% | 100% |
| January 2022 | 70.8% | 16.9% | 11.1% | 1.3% | 100% |
| October 2022 | 69.2% | 17.4% | 11.7% | 1.8% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 69.6% | 16.9% | 11.1% | 2.4% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 69.2% | 17.6% | 11.1% | 2.0% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 68.2% | 18.2% | 11.5% | 2.1% | 100% |
What types of customers do you train?
3,408 people answered this question in 2025.
ADIs were asked to select all options that applied to them. This means the totals do not add up to 100%.
| Response | June 2023 | September 2024 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learner drivers | 98.4% | 98.6% | 98.2% |
| Fully qualified drivers of fleets of cars and vans | 11.0% | 10.3% | 10.2% |
| Trainee driving instructors and other ADIs | 9.7% | 11.1% | 11.3% |
How long have you been an approved driving instructor (ADI)?
3,445 people answered this question in 2025.
| Response | June 2023 | September 2024 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than a year | 7.7% | 7.8% | 8.7% |
| Between 1 to 4 years | 19.3% | 20.8% | 22.1% |
| Between 5 to 8 years | 15.8% | 15.6% | 14.4% |
| Between 9 to 12 years | 8.2% | 7.9% | 9.1% |
| More than 12 years | 49.0% | 47.8% | 45.7% |
On average, how many hours do you spend working as an ADI each week?
3,448 people answered this question in 2025.
| Response | June 2023 | September 2024 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hours or fewer | 10.2% | 11.2% | 13.1% |
| 16 hours to 24 hours | 26.0% | 27.5% | 29.1% |
| 25 hours to 34 hours | 38.8% | 38.5% | 37.3% |
| 35 hours or more | 23.4% | 21.3% | 19.3% |
| Not currently working as an ADI | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.2% |
Average working hours by ADI gender
This chart shows a breakdown of October 2025 average weekly working hours for those currently working as an ADI by the ADI’s gender.
| Gender | 15 hours or fewer | 16 to 24 hours | 25 to 34 hours | 35 hours or more | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 12.1% | 26.5% | 39.3% | 22.1% | 100% |
| Female | 16.0% | 37.7% | 34.2% | 12.1% | 100% |
Do you have any other jobs in addition to your work as an ADI?
3,396 people answered this question in 2025.
| Survey | Yes | No | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 12.4% | 87.6% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 12.5% | 87.5% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 11.7% | 88.3% | 100% |
I achieve a good balance between my work life and my private life
3,402 people answered this question in 2025.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 23.1% |
| Agree | 44.1% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 16.5% |
| Disagree | 12.6% |
| Strongly disagree | 3.6% |
I achieve a good balance between my work life and my private life
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 62.5% | 17.5% | 20.0% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 66.2% | 16.8% | 17.1% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 67.2% | 16.5% | 16.2% | 100% |
What is the average price that you charge for a standard one-hour lesson?
3,342 people answered this question.
| Average one-hour lesson price | Response rate |
|---|---|
| £25 or less | 0.4% |
| £26 to £30 | 2.0% |
| £31 to £35 | 18.2% |
| £36 to £40 | 50.3% |
| £41 to £45 | 22.5% |
| £46 to £50 | 5.0% |
| £51 or more | 1.6% |
Average one-hour lesson price over time
This chart shows how the average one-hour prices compare over time when put into 3 main price ranges.
| Year | £35 or less | £36 to £40 | £41 or more | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2022 | 74.3% | 21.4% | 4.3% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 61.5% | 31.1% | 7.4% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 31.5% | 47.7% | 20.8% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 20.6% | 50.3% | 29.1% | 100% |
Average one-hour lesson price by region
This chart shows a breakdown of October 2025 one-hour lesson prices by region put into 3 main price ranges. The chart is ordered from highest to lowest region charging £41 or more.
| Region | £35 or less | £36 to £40 | £41 or more | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South-west | 7.6% | 37.8% | 54.6% | 100% |
| South-east | 13.4% | 47.3% | 39.3% | 100% |
| Scotland | 10.4% | 53.7% | 36.0% | 100% |
| London | 34.2% | 40.5% | 25.2% | 100% |
| East of England | 17.2% | 58.4% | 24.3% | 100% |
| North-west | 27.1% | 51.4% | 21.5% | 100% |
| East Midlands | 20.1% | 58.8% | 21.1% | 100% |
| Wales | 27.8% | 52.8% | 19.4% | 100% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 30.4% | 51.9% | 17.8% | 100% |
| West Midlands | 37.0% | 48.9% | 14.1% | 100% |
| North-east | 27.7% | 64.2% | 8.1% | 100% |
Average one-hour lesson price by ADI gender
This chart shows a breakdown of October 2025 one-hour lesson prices by the ADI’s gender, put into 3 main price ranges.
| Gender | £35 or less | £36 to £40 | £41 or more | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 22.3% | 49.8% | 27.9% | 100% |
| Female | 16.4% | 51.7% | 31.9% | 100% |
Average one-hour lesson price by time qualified as an ADI
This chart shows a breakdown of October 2025 one-hour lesson prices by how long ADIs have been qualified, put into 3 main price ranges.
| Time qualified as an ADI | £35 or less | £36 to £40 | £41 or more | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than a year as an ADI | 24.5% | 54.7% | 20.8% | 100% |
| 1 to 4 years as an ADI | 20.7% | 53.6% | 25.7% | 100% |
| 5 to 8 years as an ADI | 16.2% | 54.6% | 29.2% | 100% |
| 9 to 12 years as an ADI | 19.5% | 54.5% | 26.1% | 100% |
| More than 12 years as an ADI | 21.5% | 45.6% | 32.9% | 100% |
Average one-hour lesson price by average weekly hours worked by ADIs
This chart shows a breakdown of October 2025 one-hour lesson prices by the average weekly hours ADIs work, put into 3 main price ranges.
| Average weekly hours worked | £35 or less | £36 to £40 | £41 or more | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hours or fewer | 34.1% | 44.1% | 21.8% | 100% |
| 16 hours to 24 hours | 22.9% | 50.2% | 26.9% | 100% |
| 25 hours to 34 hours | 17.4% | 52.8% | 29.8% | 100% |
| 35 hours or more | 14.5% | 49.8% | 35.6% | 100% |
Has the average price that you charge for a one-hour lesson changed over the last year?[footnote 1]
3,330 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Survey | The price has decreased | The price has remained the same | The price has increased | Not sure[footnote 2] | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2022 | 1.0% | 8.6% | 90.5% | 0.0% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 0.8% | 29.6% | 68.5% | 1.0% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 1.0% | 32.6% | 64.50% | 2.0% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 1.9% | 47.7% | 48.0% | 2.4% | 100% |
Have any of the following affected your business in the last few months?
5,471 people answered this question.
ADIs were asked to select all options that applied to them. This means the totals do not add up to 100%.
| Response | October 2022 | June 2023 | September 2024 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased lesson prices | 43.5% | 22.3% | 57.9% | 42.2% |
| Increased my hours working as an ADI | 28.3% | 19.4% | 22.0% | 18.6% |
| Pupils wanting less frequent lessons | 45.8% | 39.8% | 44.5% | 56.2% |
| Pupils taking extended breaks from lessons (3 or more weeks) | 50.4% | 46.0% | 51.7% | 60.7% |
| Requests from pupils I have not trained asking to be taken to a test | 81.1% | 75.1% | 81.8% | 83.4% |
| None of these | 5.9% | 10.7% | 3.8% | 3.3% |
What are the reasons your pupils are taking extended breaks from lessons?
2,030 people answered this question.
ADIs were asked to select all options that applied to them. This means the totals do not add up to 100%.
| Response | October 2022 | June 2023 | September 2024 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial constraints | 64.6% | 59.3% | 64.9% | 58.9% |
| High waiting times for a driving test | 89.6% | 90.4% | 89.2% | 94.1% |
| Caring responsibilities | 3.0% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 2.2% |
| Increased educational or work commitments | 22.6% | 23.3% | 24.5% | 18.2% |
| Health reasons | 7.4% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 6.2% |
| Holiday | 13.3% | 12.6% | 19.7% | 10.8% |
| Personal commitments (for example, house move) | 6.3% | 7.4% | 8.9% | 6.7% |
| No longer wanting to learn to drive | 6.3% | 6.2% | 6.7% | 7.4% |
| Other | 5.4% | 4.5% | 4.9% | 5.3% |
Approximately how many requests do you receive per week from pupils you have not trained asking to be taken to a test?
2,788 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Response | 0 to 1 | 2 to 3 | 4 to 5 | 6 or more | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2022 | 35.2% | 42.9% | 10.6% | 11.2% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 33.7% | 44.1% | 12.9% | 9.2% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 42.1% | 41.7% | 9.9% | 6.4% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 46.3% | 39.0% | 9.7% | 5.0% | 100% |
How do you typically respond to requests from pupils you have not trained asking to be taken to a test?
2,788 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| I never accept them | 63.1% |
| I rarely accept them | 26.0% |
| I sometimes accept them | 9.9% |
| I often accept them | 0.8% |
| I always accept them | 0.3% |
What are the key challenges you are currently facing within your role as an approved driving instructor?
There were 3,240 comments for this question.
The comments have been analysed using AI to categorise them into themes. Individual comments may relate to more than one theme, so the percentages do not add up to 100%.
| Theme | Percentage of comments related to this theme |
|---|---|
| Driving test availability and waiting times | 90% |
| DVSA management and policy issues | 50% |
| Test booking system exploitation (bots and resellers) | 40% |
| Pupil retention and scheduling difficulties | 35% |
| Managing pupil expectations and readiness | 30% |
| Heightened student anxiety and test pressure | 25% |
| Aggressive or impatient other road users | 20% |
| Financial pressures (fuel and cost of living) | 15% |
| Inconsistent or harsh examiner practices | 12% |
| Industry competition and low-quality instructors | 10% |
What are the key challenges you are currently facing within your role as an approved driving instructor?
The table shows a summary of what each category covered.
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Driving test availability and waiting times | Severe shortage of practical test slots and extraordinarily long wait times (often 5 to 6 months or more) for learners’ driving tests. Instructors find it impossible to plan lessons or progress because pupils cannot secure timely tests. Many noted this is the single biggest challenge impacting their work. |
| DVSA management and policy issues | Criticism of DVSA’s handling of the situation and policies. Instructors feel the DVSA has failed to address the backlog and resent rules like the 10 day cancellation policy and the standards check trigger system. Many commented that DVSA surveys are conducted but nothing is being done with the feedback. |
| Test booking system exploitation (bots and resellers) | Frustration with external interference in test bookings. Many ADIs reported that third-party apps, bots and individuals take test appointments and sell them at high prices. This practice makes it even harder for genuine candidates to find tests through the official system. |
| Pupil retention and scheduling difficulties | The test backlog is causing learners to put lessons on hold for months, leading to gaps in training and income loss for instructors. Many instructors struggle to manage their diary as they take on new students to fill the gap, only to have former students return last-minute when they finally get a test date. This stop-start cycle makes running a stable business challenging. |
| Managing pupil expectations and readiness | Instructors frequently have to convince students to delay or cancel tests because they are not truly ready. Many learners and their parents push to just have a go since tests are so hard to get, creating conflict when instructors refuse to take unprepared pupils to the test. Several ADIs mentioned the awkward task of explaining that passing the theory test or completing a certain number of hours does not mean a student is test-ready. |
| Heightened student anxiety and test pressure | The long waits have dramatically raised the stakes of each test. Instructors observed that pupils are far more nervous and stressed, knowing that failing means waiting many months for another chance. Some ADIs also noted more students with anxiety or neurodiverse conditions, who require additional support and can be disadvantaged by the high-pressure test conditions. |
| Aggressive or impatient other road users | A significant number of instructors complained about the poor behaviour of other drivers toward learners, including tailgating, horn honking, unsafe overtaking and general impatience. Such road aggression adds difficulty to lessons, as ADIs must keep students calm and safe. |
| Financial pressures (fuel and cost of living) | Economic challenges of operating as an ADI. Many mentioned rising fuel prices, insurance and vehicle maintenance costs, which cut into their earnings. At the same time, instructors feel unable to raise lesson prices too much without losing students. |
| Inconsistent or harsh examiner practices | Some instructors noted variability in driving examiners’ assessments. Comments included reports of certain examiners being overly strict or unfriendly, which can unsettle learners. Inconsistency between examiners or centres causes frustration as instructors feel results can depend on who conducts the test. |
| Industry competition and low-quality instructors | Respondents in some areas face an influx of new or unqualified instructors undercutting the market. Others complained of illegal instructors teaching without a licence or insurance, sometimes attracting students by offering bargain rates. This undermines legitimate ADIs and can tarnish the profession’s reputation. |
Approximately how many learners are you actively training at this time?
3,333 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Survey | Number of learners |
|---|---|
| June 2021 | 22.3 |
| January 2022 | 19.9 |
| October 2022 | 20.4 |
| June 2023 | 19.6 |
| September 2024 | 18.6 |
| October 2025 | 18.1 |
Thinking about the learners that you are actively training, approximately how many have passed their theory test?
3,319 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Survey | Number of learners |
|---|---|
| June 2021 | 13.0 |
| January 2022 | 12.3 |
| October 2022 | 13.4 |
| June 2023 | 13.0 |
| September 2024 | 11.8 |
| October 2025 | 12.1 |
Thinking about the learners that you are actively training, approximately how many have a practical test booked?
3,313 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Survey | Number of learners |
|---|---|
| June 2021 | 8.0 |
| January 2022 | 7.9 |
| October 2022 | 9.0 |
| June 2023 | 8.3 |
| September 2024 | 7.6 |
| October 2025 | 8.1 |
Can you estimate how many of your candidates you think are likely to be ready for their driving test in the next 6 months?
3,339 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Number of candidates | 1 to 5 | 6 to 10 | 11 to 20 | 21 to 30 | 31 or more | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | 12.4% | 30.2% | 38.3% | 14.4% | 4.6% | 100% |
| January 2022 | 17.4% | 33.6% | 37.2% | 9.7% | 2.0% | 100% |
| October 2022 | 15.6% | 32.3% | 37.1% | 11.9% | 3.2% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 17.2% | 34.9% | 36.1% | 9.3% | 2.4% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 16.8% | 35.7% | 36.4% | 8.8% | 2.4% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 17.0% | 33.4% | 37.4% | 10.1% | 2.1% | 100% |
Do you currently have availability to take on new pupils?
3,345 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Response | Yes | No | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2022 | 32.0% | 68.0% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 29.8% | 70.2% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 36.6% | 63.4% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 45.4% | 54.6% | 100% |
Availability to take on new pupils by region
This chart shows a breakdown of the October 2025 results by region. It’s ordered by the region with most to least availability to take on new pupils.
| Region | Has availability to take on new pupils | Does not have availability to take on new pupils | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 65.2% | 34.8% | 100% |
| East of England | 52.5% | 47.5% | 100% |
| Scotland | 49.3% | 50.3% | 100% |
| East Midlands | 49.1% | 50.9% | 100% |
| West Midlands | 47.9% | 52.1% | 100% |
| Wales | 44.4% | 55.6% | 100% |
| South-east | 42.2% | 57.8% | 100% |
| North-west | 40.7% | 59.3% | 100% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 38.4% | 61.6% | 100% |
| South-west | 37.0% | 63.0% | 100% |
| North-east | 33.8% | 66.2% | 100% |
Availability to take on new pupils by ADI gender
This chart shows a breakdown of the October 2025 results by the ADI’s gender.
| ADI gender | Has availability to take on new pupils | Does not have availability to take on new pupils | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 48.6% | 51.4% | 100% |
| Female | 36.5% | 63.5% | 100% |
Availability to take on new pupils by average one-hour lesson price
This chart shows a breakdown of the October 2025 results by the average one-hour lesson price ADIs charge.
| One-hour lesson price | Has availability to take on new pupils | Does not have availability to take on new pupils | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25 or less | 46.7% | 53.3% | 100% |
| £26 to £30 | 62.7% | 37.3% | 100% |
| £31 to £35 | 51.1% | 48.9% | 100% |
| £36 to £40 | 44.9% | 55.1% | 100% |
| £41 to £45 | 43.1% | 56.9% | 100% |
| £46 to £50 | 37.3% | 62.7% | 100% |
| £51 or more | 31.5% | 68.5% | 100% |
Do you currently have a waiting list for learners?
3,348 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Survey | Has a waiting list | Does not have a waiting list | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | 81.9% | 18.1% | 100% |
| January 2022 | 72.1% | 27.9% | 100% |
| October 2022 | 65.1% | 34.9% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 63.3% | 36.7% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 56.4% | 43.6% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 47.3% | 52.7% | 100% |
Waiting list by region
This chart shows a breakdown of the October 2025 results by region. It’s ordered by the region with most to least ADIs having a waiting list.
| Region | Has a waiting list | Does not have a waiting list | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| North-east | 54.1% | 45.9% | 100% |
| South-west | 53.4% | 46.6% | 100% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 52.8% | 47.2% | 100% |
| North-west | 49.8% | 50.2% | 100% |
| South-east | 49.6% | 50.4% | 100% |
| Scotland | 48.0% | 52.0% | 100% |
| West Midlands | 45.0% | 55.0% | 100% |
| East Midlands | 44.2% | 55.8% | 100% |
| Wales | 43.8% | 56.3% | 100% |
| East of England | 41.2% | 58.8% | 100% |
| London | 33.0% | 67.0% | 100% |
Waiting list by ADI gender
This chart shows a breakdown of the October 2024 results by the ADI’s gender.
| Gender | Has a waiting list | Does not have a waiting list | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 43.7% | 56.3% | 100% |
| Female | 56.9% | 43.1% | 100% |
Waiting list by average one-hour lesson price
This chart shows a breakdown of the October 2024 results by the average one-hour lesson price ADIs charge.
| One-hour lesson price | Has a waiting list | Does not have a waiting list | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25 or less | 33.3% | 66.7% | 100% |
| £26 to £30 | 35.8% | 64.2% | 100% |
| £31 to £35 | 39.7% | 60.3% | 100% |
| £36 to £40 | 47.3% | 52.7% | 100% |
| £41 to £45 | 51.4% | 48.6% | 100% |
| £46 to £50 | 57.2% | 42.8% | 100% |
| £51 or more | 57.4% | 42.6% | 100% |
How many learners do you have waiting to start lessons?
1,579 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Survey | 1 to 5 | 6 to 10 | 11 to 20 | More than 20 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | 27.7% | 30.7% | 20.9% | 20.8% | 100% |
| January 2022 | 33.9% | 34.5% | 20.2% | 11.4% | 100% |
| October 2022 | 33.7% | 34.8% | 20.3% | 11.2% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 43.1% | 30.8% | 15.4% | 10.7% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 47.7% | 30.1% | 14.3% | 7.9% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 52.5% | 30.7% | 11.1% | 5.8% | 100% |
How long do you expect to have a waiting list of learners?
1,580 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Survey | Up to 3 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 9 months | Up to a year | Over a year | Not sure | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | 27.4% | 30.0% | 12.2% | 10.6% | 10.3% | 9.4% | 100% |
| January 2022 | 37.9% | 26.7% | 6.9% | 7.5% | 9.1% | 11.9% | 100% |
| October 2022 | 36.7% | 28.8% | 6.6% | 7.0% | 9.8% | 11.0% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 32.8% | 25.6% | 6.6% | 7.4% | 15.0% | 12.6% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 36.4% | 25.3% | 6.1% | 6.9% | 12.7% | 12.4% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 36.8% | 26.6% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 13.0% | 11.3% | 100% |
I am interested in my work as an ADI
3,401 people answered the question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 56.5% |
| Agree | 34.0% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 6.9% |
| Disagree | 1.7% |
| Strongly disagree | 0.9% |
I am interested in my work as an ADI
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 90.4% | 6.7% | 2.9% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 91.5% | 5.9% | 2.7% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 90.5% | 6.9% | 2.6% | 100% |
My work as an ADI gives me a sense of personal accomplishment
3,405 people answered the question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 56.3% |
| Agree | 35.1% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 5.8% |
| Disagree | 1.7% |
| Strongly disagree | 1.0% |
My work as an ADI gives me a sense of personal accomplishment
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 90.8% | 6.3% | 2.8% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 91.7% | 5.6% | 2.8% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 91.4% | 5.8% | 2.7% | 100% |
I understand how my work as an ADI contributes to making road transport safer, cleaner and healthier
3,398 people answered the question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 62.7% |
| Agree | 29.0% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 5.9% |
| Disagree | 1.6% |
| Strongly disagree | 0.9% |
I understand how my work as an ADI contributes to making road transport safer, cleaner and healthier
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 90.5% | 6.9% | 2.7% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 91.2% | 6.2% | 2.6% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 91.7% | 5.9% | 2.5% | 100% |
I understand the voluntary ADI code of practice and what it means for my conduct and standards
The ADI code of practice sets out how ADIs should behave in their personal conduct and business dealings, including advertising their services and settling disputes.
3,398 people answered the question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 65.3% |
| Agree | 29.1% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 4.6% |
| Disagree | 0.6% |
| Strongly disagree | 0.4% |
I understand the voluntary ADI code of practice and what it means for my conduct and standards
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 93.2% | 5.3% | 1.5% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 93.3% | 5.5% | 1.1% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 94.4% | 4.6% | 1.0% | 100% |
I have the opportunity to contribute my views to DVSA before decisions are made that affect me
3,406 people answered the question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 12.2% |
| Agree | 25.9% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 31.0% |
| Disagree | 16.9% |
| Strongly disagree | 14.0% |
I have the opportunity to contribute my views to DVSA before decisions are made that affect me
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 35.3% | 29.1% | 35.6% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 30.0% | 31.3% | 38.7% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 38.1% | 31.0% | 30.9% | 100% |
Which of the following statements most reflects your current thoughts about working as an ADI?
3,399 people answered this question.
| Survey | I want to leave my role as an ADI as soon as possible | I want to leave my role as an ADI within the next 12 months | I want to stay working as an ADI for at least the next year | I want to stay working as an ADI for at least the next 3 years | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2022 | 3.8% | 8.1% | 16.3% | 71.8% | 100% |
| June 2023 | 5.3% | 9.5% | 16.9% | 68.3% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 4.6% | 7.6% | 17.0% | 70.8% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 5.2% | 9.0% | 17.6% | 68.2% | 100% |
Future as an ADI by age
This chart shows ADIs’ current thoughts about working as an ADI, split by age. To simplify the data, it is shown in 3 groups:
| Age group | Want to leave their role as an ADI within the next 12 months (including as soon as possible) | Want to stay working as an ADI for at least the next year | Want to stay working as an ADI for at least the next 3 years | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 to 24 | 20.0% | 30.0% | 50.0% | 100% |
| 25 to 29 | 4.3% | 16.7% | 79.0% | 100% |
| 30 to 34 | 12.3% | 17.8% | 69.9% | 100% |
| 35 to 39 | 15.0% | 14.4% | 70.6% | 100% |
| 40 to 44 | 11.4% | 13.7% | 74.9% | 100% |
| 45 to 49 | 12.0% | 15.2% | 72.8% | 100% |
| 50 to 54 | 11.2% | 14.3% | 74.5% | 100% |
| 55 to 59 | 12.7% | 14.4% | 72.9% | 100% |
| 60 to 64 | 15.9% | 19.4% | 64.7% | 100% |
| 65 to 69 | 25.9% | 27.6% | 46.5% | 100% |
| 70 to 74 | 18.9% | 37.6% | 43.5% | 100% |
| 75 and over | 16.6% | 40.5% | 42.9% | 100% |
I have the tools I need to do my job effectively
3,408 people answered the question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 40.4% |
| Agree | 43.4% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 8.2% |
| Disagree | 5.2% |
| Strongly disagree | 2.8% |
I have the tools I need to do my job effectively
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 84.9% | 9.1% | 6.0% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 85.3% | 8.7% | 5.9% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 83.8% | 8.2% | 8.0% | 100% |
You stated that you do not have the tools needed to do your job effectively. Why is this?
There were 263 comments for this question.
The comments have been analysed using AI to categorise them into themes. Individual comments may relate to more than one theme, so the percentages do not add up to 100%.
| Theme | Percentage of comments related to this theme |
|---|---|
| Driving test availability | 74% |
| Test booking system | 23% |
| ADI training and development | 12% |
| DVSA communication and support | 8% |
| Physical resources (vehicle and infrastructure) | 3% |
You stated that you do not have the tools needed to do your job effectively. Why is this?
The table shows a summary of what each category covered.
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Driving test availability | Instructors see the ready availability of driving test slots as a fundamental tool needed to do their job. Comments describe extremely long waiting times for practical driving tests, lack of test slots (sometimes none available for months), and delays in getting learners a test when they are ready. Many ADIs expressed that without a test at the end of training, they cannot do their job effectively as it undermines lesson planning and frustrates pupils. |
| Test booking system | Problems with DVSA’s test booking system and processes, which instructors described as broken or not fit for purpose. Issues include difficulty finding or securing test appointments, lack of a fair or efficient system to match test dates to when pupils will be ready, and third-party booking bots or resellers snapping up test slots unfairly. Instructors also mentioned inflexible booking policies, such as the rule limiting short-notice test date changes and the limit of 6 changes. |
| ADI training and development | A lack of training, professional development and guidance resources. Comments include calls for better continuing professional development (CPD) and official training from DVSA, more accessible reference materials like the national standard for driver and rider training, and organised training to help teach learners with special educational needs. |
| DVSA communication and support | A lack of support, communication or responsiveness from DVSA and its staff. ADIs felt left completely alone without support, with no direct helpline or point of contact when they have a problem. Some described poor communication from local test centres and perceived that DVSA does not listen to ADI feedback or involve them in solutions. |
| Physical resources (vehicle and infrastructure) | Issues with physical or environmental resources that affect the job. Comments mentioned the high cost and upkeep of cars, and problems with road infrastructure including poor quality roads, numerous potholes, and obscured or missing signs. Without clear road markings or a safe area to practice, it is harder to teach learners effectively. |
DVSA keeps me informed about matters that affect me
3,408 people answered the question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 18.2% |
| Agree | 43.0% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 25.1% |
| Disagree | 8.4% |
| Strongly disagree | 5.3% |
DVSA keeps me informed about matters that affect me
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 63.0% | 23.6% | 13.3% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 55.1% | 27.1% | 17.7% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 61.% | 25.1% | 13.7% | 100% |
What more can DVSA do to support you?
There were 264 suggestions for this question.
The comments have been analysed using AI to categorise them into themes. Individual comments may relate to more than one theme, so the percentages do not add up to 100%.
| Theme | Percentage of comments related to this theme |
|---|---|
| Increase test availability and reduce waiting times | 68% |
| Improve the booking system and prevent exploitation | 60% |
| Hire and retain more examiners | 62% |
| Improve communication and engagement with ADIs | 20% |
| Provide training and support for ADIs | 15% |
| Reform DVSA management and policy | 15% |
| Raise ADI performance and standards | 10% |
| Ensure consistent driving test standards | 8% |
| Other | 5% |
What more can DVSA do to support you?
The table shows a summary of what each category covered.
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Increase test availability and reduce waiting times | Instructors urging DVSA to offer more driving test appointments and shorten the long waiting lists for tests. Many suggested opening more test slots, including opening new test centres or extending operating hours, so learners do not have to wait several months for a test. |
| Improve the booking system and prevent exploitation | Comments about fixing the online booking system and cracking down on its abuse. Instructors want a fairer system that stops automated bots, third-party apps and individuals from bulk-booking or selling test slots for profit. Some suggested limiting who can book tests (for example, only ADIs or only the candidate themselves) and implementing better technology or rules to protect the system. |
| Hire and retain more examiners | Suggestions focused on addressing the examiner shortage. Many ADIs feel DVSA should recruit more driving examiners and improve examiner pay and working conditions to keep them on the job. The aim is to increase testing capacity, thereby reducing the backlog of learners waiting for tests. |
| Improve communication and engagement with ADIs | Calls for a more collaborative and communicative approach from DVSA toward instructors. This includes restoring regular meetings between DVSA and local ADIs, providing direct updates about policies and backlogs, genuinely listening to ADI feedback, and not placing blame on instructors for systemic issues. Some want a dedicated support line or better channels to get information or help directly from DVSA. |
| Provide training and support for ADIs | Comments highlighting the need to support driving instructors in improving their teaching. Instructors suggested more continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities, training workshops and guidance materials from DVSA to help them stay up-to-date (for example, resources for teaching learners with conditions like ADHD or autism). |
| Reform DVSA management and policy | Responses voicing frustration with DVSA’s leadership or bureaucratic processes. Instructors questioned the effectiveness of current management, with some calling for leadership change. Others urged DVSA to act more decisively and cut through red tape and slow consultations. |
| Raise ADI performance and standards | Suggestions aimed at raising the overall standard of driving instruction. ADIs in this category felt that DVSA should more strictly monitor or regulate instructors, including cracking down on bad or unprofessional instructors, ensuring trainee instructors get a minimum number of in-car training hours, and shutting down illegal, unlicensed instructors. |
| Ensure consistent driving test standards | Concerns about how the driving test is conducted and graded. Instructors felt that some examiners are too strict or inflexible in their assessments, and suggested that examiners use more discretion and that DVSA ensure examiners apply test criteria consistently. |
| Other | A small number of responses that did not fit into the main themes. These included answers like ‘not sure’ or claims that DVSA can do nothing. This category also covers any remarks that were off-topic or ambiguous. |
How familiar are you with DVSA’s ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign and its objectives?
3,348 people answered this question.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Very familiar - I understand the campaign’s goals and actively support them | 44.6% |
| Somewhat familiar - I know about it but have not engaged with it deeply | 42.7% |
| Heard of it - but know little about what it involves | 9.6% |
| Not aware of it at all | 3.1% |
Which of the following ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign resources have you used with your pupils?
3,290 people answered the question.
ADIs were asked to select all options that applied to them. This means the totals do not add up to 100%.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| ‘Ready to Pass?’ checklist for learners | 49.0% |
| Campaign website (directed pupils to visit) | 34.4% |
| Campaign images and animations on my website or social media | 9.9% |
| Driver’s record to track skills progress | 47.8% |
| Mock test resources and marking sheets | 60.2% |
| Referred pupils and their supervising driver to guidance for supervising private practice | 26.1% |
| None of the above | 18.9% |
Which additional resources would most help you support your pupils to be ready to pass?
3,109 people answered this question.
ADIs were asked to select up to 3 options that were most important to them. This means the totals do not add up to 100%.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Structured lesson plans for driving scenarios | 33.3% |
| Coaching-style question templates for different driving situations | 38.4% |
| Resources to help pupils manage test anxiety and nerves | 62.5% |
| Materials to better engage parents/supervising drivers | 33.2% |
| Guidance on objectively assessing pupil readiness | 22.3% |
| Videos demonstrating common test failures to show pupils | 46.3% |
| Other (please specify) | 7.8% |
Which additional resources would most help you support your pupils to be ready to pass?
There were 242 comments left in the ‘Other’ category.
The comments have been analysed using AI to categorise them into themes. Individual comments may relate to more than one theme, so the percentages do not add up to 100%.
| Theme | Percentage of comments related to this theme |
|---|---|
| Improve test availability and booking system | 27% |
| No additional resources needed | 20% |
| Criticise DVSA and the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign | 7% |
| Support anxious and neurodiverse pupils | 7% |
| Provide guidance for parents and supervisors | 6% |
| Emphasise safe driving over test passing | 4% |
| Introduce mandatory training, mock tests or sign-off | 3% |
| Improve examiner consistency and interaction | 2% |
| Improve ADI training and standards | 2% |
| Provide additional learning resources | 2% |
Which additional resources would most help you support your pupils to be ready to pass?
The table shows a summary of what each category covered.
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Improve test availability and booking system | ADIs report that long test waiting times and booking difficulties undermine pupil readiness. More test slots would reduce anxiety and improve training continuity. |
| No additional resources needed | Many ADIs feel confident in their existing methods and materials. They believe professional experience is sufficient to prepare pupils without additional tools. |
| Criticise DVSA and the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign | Some respondents question the campaign’s effectiveness and relevance. Concerns include perceived disconnect between DVSA messaging and practical realities. |
| Support anxious and neurodiverse pupils | ADIs request resources tailored to pupils with anxiety, ADHD or autism. Better guidance on adaptive teaching approaches would be welcomed. |
| Provide guidance for parents and supervisors | Materials helping parents understand their role in supervised practice are needed. Clear expectations about lesson progression would reduce unhelpful interference. |
| Emphasise safe driving over test passing | ADIs want resources focused on lifelong driving skills rather than test technique. A shift toward road safety messaging would benefit new drivers. |
| Introduce mandatory training, mock tests or sign-off | Suggestions include requiring minimum lesson hours or ADI sign-off before test booking. Structured readiness checks could improve pass rates. |
| Improve examiner consistency and interaction | Concerns about inconsistent marking standards and examiner communication. Clearer feedback would help ADIs address pupil weaknesses. |
| Improve ADI training and standards | Requests for enhanced professional development opportunities. Better initial training and ongoing support would raise industry standards. |
| Provide additional learning resources | Some ADIs would value supplementary videos, apps or visual aids. These could reinforce in-car teaching between lessons. |
What would make the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign and toolkit more useful for driving instructors?
1,539 people answered this question.
The comments have been analysed using AI to categorise them into themes. Individual comments may relate to more than one theme, so the percentages do not add up to 100%.
| Theme | Percentage of comments related to this theme |
|---|---|
| Increase driving test availability and reduce waiting times | 30% |
| Enhance toolkit content and resources | 25% |
| Promote and raise awareness of the campaign | 20% |
| Develop digital tools such as an app or online access | 18% |
| Improve parental involvement and education | 15% |
| Reduce test anxiety and use positive messaging | 15% |
| Provide physical printed materials | 12% |
| Ensure test readiness through sign-off or minimum hours | 10% |
| No additional suggestions or already satisfied | 10% |
| Improve communication with ADIs | 8% |
| Critical of the campaign or calls to scrap it | 8% |
| Focus on safe driving rather than just passing the test | 7% |
| Provide training and support for instructors | 5% |
| Improve accessibility for diverse learners | 4% |
What would make the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign and toolkit more useful for driving instructors?
The table shows a summary of what each category covered.
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Increase driving test availability and reduce waiting times | Instructors pointed out that the campaign’s impact is limited by the lack of practical driving test slots and long waiting times. Many comments urged DVSA to focus on increasing test availability instead of or alongside the campaign. ADIs feel that when pupils face a 5 to 6 month wait for a test, the toolkit becomes less effective. |
| Enhance toolkit content and resources | Suggestions about improving the content of the campaign toolkit itself. Instructors want more engaging, comprehensive resources such as videos demonstrating common mistakes, mock tests and examples of good driving standards. They would prefer higher-quality, more varied learning materials including structured lesson plans, progress tracking sheets and scenario-based guidance. |
| Promote and raise awareness of the campaign | Instructors noted that too few learners and parents know about the campaign, which limits its usefulness. Suggestions included a stronger social media presence on platforms popular with young people, and introducing the campaign in schools or at the theory test stage. ADIs want learners and families to encounter the messages before they book their driving test. |
| Develop digital tools such as an app or online access | A frequent suggestion was to develop a ‘Ready to Pass?’ mobile app or similar digital tool. Instructors believe an app would make the toolkit more accessible and interactive for young learners, with features like progress tracking, quizzes and push notifications. ADIs feel that digitising the toolkit would engage tech-savvy learners and allow more convenient use during lessons. |
| Improve parental involvement and education | A significant number of responses highlighted the role of parents and other supervising drivers in a learner’s journey. Instructors suggested creating materials aimed at parents to help them understand modern standards and the importance of not rushing the test. Greater parent outreach through schools, emails or leaflets with provisional licences was seen as a key improvement. |
| Reduce test anxiety and use positive messaging | Many ADIs discussed how the campaign’s current approach can affect learner psychology, especially those prone to anxiety. A common complaint was that reminder emails sent to candidates often increase nerves rather than help. Instructors suggested the messaging should be more positive and encouraging, with practical tips for dealing with nerves. |
| Provide physical printed materials | Despite the push for digital, many instructors also requested physical resources to complement the campaign. They suggested having hard-copy materials such as printed booklets or pamphlets that ADIs could give to learners and parents. A tangible handout can be useful for learners to read at home, rather than relying solely on emails or websites. |
| Ensure test readiness through sign-off or minimum hours | A recurring theme was the idea of putting in checks or requirements to ensure learners do not attempt the test before they are ready. Suggestions included making an ADI’s sign-off mandatory before a practical test can be taken, or requiring a minimum number of lessons before booking. ADIs want stronger measures to discourage candidates who book tests against their instructor’s advice. |
| No additional suggestions or already satisfied | A subset of ADIs indicated they had no particular issues with the campaign as it stands or did not feel the need for additional tools. Some admitted they had not used or seen the toolkit enough to comment. This category covers neutral or non-responsive answers from instructors who feel the campaign is adequate in its current form. |
| Improve communication with ADIs | Instructors want to be kept in the loop about the campaign and better supported in using it. Many noted that DVSA communicates directly with learners without informing the ADIs, which can leave instructors unaware of what their students have been told. ADIs requested early or regular updates from DVSA about any new campaign materials or changes. |
| Critical of the campaign or calls to scrap it | A proportion of instructors were negative about the campaign, saying it does not help or is misdirected. Some feel the campaign undermines their expertise or adds pressure rather than value. These responses assert that good instructors already make sure pupils are ready without a campaign, and that DVSA should invest resources elsewhere. |
| Focus on safe driving rather than just passing the test | Some ADIs took issue with the emphasis on passing the test rather than lifelong safe driving. They stressed that passing the test is only a minimum standard, and the campaign should place more weight on encouraging learners to be safe after the test. The key suggestion was to reframe materials to highlight post-test driving skills and attitudes. |
| Provide training and support for instructors | Suggestions about how DVSA could help ADIs implement the campaign and generally improve instructor resources. Instructors proposed DVSA-run workshops, training days or webinars specifically about the campaign to explain how to use the toolkit effectively. ADIs are asking for more professional development and collaboration opportunities around the campaign. |
| Improve accessibility for diverse learners | Instructors pointed out that the toolkit should be made more accessible and inclusive for learners with different needs. Suggestions included translations for learners whose first language is not English, simplified Easy Read versions, and content on supporting learners with special educational needs. The campaign would be more useful if its resources could be tailored to individuals. |
I am able to access the right continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities when I need to
3,406 people answered this question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 24.2% |
| Agree | 39.5% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 27.9% |
| Disagree | 4.4% |
| Strongly disagree | 3.9% |
I am able to access the right continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities when I need to
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 61.8% | 29.9% | 8.2% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 67.0% | 26.8% | 6.1% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 63.7% | 27.9% | 8.3% | 100% |
Have you completed any continuing professional development (CPD) activities in the past 12 months?
3,408 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Response | Yes | No | Not sure | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 53.6% | 40.2% | 6.3% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 61.6% | 32.8% | 5.6% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 62.2% | 32.5% | 5.3% | 100% |
CPD completed by region
This chart shows a breakdown of the October 2025 results by region. It’s ordered by the region with most to least ADIs completing CPD.
| Region | CPD done in last 12 months | No CPD done in last 12 months | Not sure if they’ve done CPD in the last 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South-west | 69.8% | 26.5% | 3.7% | 100% |
| East Midlands | 68.1% | 25.7% | 6.2% | 100% |
| Scotland | 64.2% | 29.4% | 6.4% | 100% |
| East of England | 62.9% | 32.8% | 4.3% | 100% |
| North-east | 62.9% | 34.4% | 2.7% | 100% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 62.5% | 34.2% | 3.3% | 100% |
| North-west | 61.6% | 33.7% | 4.7% | 100% |
| South-east | 61.0% | 33.8% | 5.2% | 100% |
| Wales | 59.5% | 35.1% | 5.4% | 100% |
| London | 55.4% | 37.7% | 6.9% | 100% |
| West Midlands | 54.6% | 37.9% | 7.5% | 100% |
CPD completed by ADI gender
This chart shows a breakdown of the October 2025 results by the ADI’s gender.
| Region | CPD done in last 12 months | No CPD done in last 12 months | Not sure if they’ve done CPD in the last 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 60.1% | 34.3% | 5.6% | 100% |
| Female | 68.5% | 27.3% | 4.2% | 100% |
CPD completed by average one-hour lesson price
This chart shows whether or not ADIs have done any CPD in the last 12 months, split by the average hourly lesson price they charge.
| One-hour lesson price charged | CPD done in last 12 months | No CPD done in last 12 months | Not sure if they’ve done CPD in the last 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £25 or less | 60.0% | 40.0% | 0% | 100% |
| £26 to £30 | 37.3% | 49.3% | 13.4% | 100% |
| £31 to £35 | 51.9% | 42.8% | 5.3% | 100% |
| £36 to £40 | 60.9% | 33.2% | 5.9% | 100% |
| £41 to £45 | 69.5% | 26.5% | 4.0% | 100% |
| £46 to £50 | 74.7% | 21.7% | 3.6% | 100% |
| £51 or more | 83.3% | 16.7% | 0% | 100% |
CPD completed by time qualified as an ADI
This chart shows whether or not ADIs have done any CPD in the last 12 months, split by the length of time they’ve been qualified as an ADI.
| Length of time as an ADI | CPD done in last 12 months | No CPD done in last 12 months | Not sure if they’ve done CPD in the last 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than one year as an ADI | 64.0% | 28.7% | 7.3% | 100% |
| 1 to 4 years as an ADI | 71.0% | 24.7% | 4.2% | 100% |
| 5 to 8 years as an ADI | 65.3% | 29.1% | 5.7% | 100% |
| 9 to 12 years as an ADI | 59.5% | 28.7% | 7.3% | 100% |
| More than 12 years as an ADI | 57.1% | 37.5% | 5.4% | 100% |
CPD completed by average weekly working hours
This chart shows whether or not ADIs have done any CPD in the last 12 months, split by the average weekly hours they spend working as an ADI.
| Length of time as an ADI | CPD done in last 12 months | No CPD done in last 12 months | Not sure if they’ve done CPD in the last 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hours or fewer | 57.3% | 36.3% | 6.4% | 100% |
| 16 hours to 24 hours | 60.7% | 35.0% | 4.4% | 100% |
| 25 hours to 34 hours | 65.0% | 29.8% | 5.2% | 100% |
| 35 hours or more | 62.7% | 31.4% | 5.9% | 100% |
CPD completed by future plans as an ADI
This chart shows whether or not ADIs have done any CPD in the last 12 months, split by their future plans as an ADI.
| Future plans as an ADI | CPD done in last 12 months | No CPD done in last 12 months | Not sure if they’ve done CPD in the last 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Want to leave their role as soon as possible | 58.5% | 38.6% | 2.8% | 100% |
| Want to leave their role within the next 12 months | 55.4% | 40.7% | 3.9% | 100% |
| Want to stay as an ADI for at least the next year | 62.7% | 31.6% | 5.7% | 100% |
| Want to stay as an ADI for at least the next 3 years | 63.2% | 31.2% | 5.5% | 100% |
CPD completed by interest in their role as an ADI
This chart shows whether or not ADIs have done any CPD in the last 12 months, split by how interested they are in their role as an ADI.
| Interest in their role | CPD done in last 12 months | No CPD done in last 12 months | Not sure if they’ve done any CPD in the last 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly agree they are interested | 66.4% | 28.6% | 5.0% | 100% |
| Agree they are interested | 58.7% | 35.4% | 5.9% | 100% |
| Neither agree nor disagree they are interested | 49.8% | 45.5% | 4.7% | 100% |
| Disagree they are interested | 51.7% | 43.1% | 5.2% | 100% |
| Strongly disagree they are interested | 50.0% | 50.0% | 0% | 100% |
Continuing professional development (CPD) activities I have completed in the past 12 months have helped to improve my performance as an ADI
This question was only asked to those who said they had done CPD in the last 12 months.
2,115 people answered this question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 30.2% |
| Agree | 44.9% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 21.7% |
| Disagree | 2.5% |
| Strongly disagree | 0.8% |
Continuing professional development (CPD) activities I have completed in the past 12 months have helped to improve my performance as an ADI
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 76.9% | 20.2% | 2.8% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 78.2% | 19.4% | 2.4% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 75.1% | 21.7% | 3.3% | 100% |
In general, how would you rate your overall physical health now?
3,404 people answered this question in October 2025.
| Response | June 2023 | September 2024 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very good | 23.2% | 22.3% | 24.0% |
| Good | 42.6% | 43.5% | 42.6% |
| Fair | 25.7% | 26.1% | 25.3% |
| Poor | 7.2% | 7.1% | 7.1% |
| Very poor | 1.3% | 1.0% | 1.1% |
In the last 12 months I have experienced musculoskeletal problems
Musculoskeletal conditions include conditions that affect joints, bones, muscles, or areas of the body (for example, back pain or neck pain).
3,396 people answered this question about how much they agreed with this statement.
| Response | Response rate |
|---|---|
| Strongly agree | 24.9% |
| Agree | 36.0% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 12.5% |
| Disagree | 14.1% |
| Strongly disagree | 12.5% |
In the last 12 months I have experienced musculoskeletal problems
This chart compares how this has changed over time. To simplify the chart, it shows total agreement and total disagreement grouped together.
| Survey | Agreement | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagreement | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | 59.3% | 13.5% | 27.2% | 100% |
| September 2024 | 61.8% | 13.0% | 25.1% | 100% |
| October 2025 | 60.9% | 12.5% | 26.6% | 100% |
Experienced musculoskeletal problems by time qualified as an ADI
This chart shows whether ADIs agreed or disagreed that they had experienced musculoskeletal problems the last 12 months, split by how long they’ve been qualified as an ADI.
| Time qualified as an ADI | Agree they have experienced musculoskeletal problems in the last 12 months | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagree they have experienced musculoskeletal problems in the last 12 months | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than a year | 49.7% | 14.3% | 36.0% | 100% |
| Between 1 to 4 years | 58.9% | 14.7% | 26.4% | 100% |
| Between 5 to 8 years | 61.9% | 11.9% | 26.1% | 100% |
| Between 9 to 12 years | 67.8% | 10.1% | 22.0% | 100% |
| More than 12 years | 62.1% | 11.7% | 26.2% | 100% |
In general, how would you rate your overall mental health at the moment?
3,401 people answered this question.
| Response | June 2023 | September 2024 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very good | 26.7% | 28.6% | 28.6% |
| Good | 38.4% | 40.7% | 38.6% |
| Fair | 23.7% | 22.1% | 22.1% |
| Poor | 9.1% | 6.9% | 8.7% |
| Very poor | 2.0% | 1.7% | 2.1% |
Do you currently have any caring responsibilities that impact your work as an approved driving instructor?
This includes any time spent providing unpaid care to a family member, friend or child.
3,395 people answered this question.
| Response | June 2023 | September 2024 | October 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 26.7% | 27.2% | 27.8% |
| No | 67.6% | 68.6% | 68.2% |
| Prefer not to say | 5.7% | 4.2% | 4.0% |
Caring responsibilities by ADI gender
This chart shows a breakdown of October 2025 caring responsibilities by the ADI’s gender.
| Gender | Has caring responsibilities | Does not have caring responsibilities | Prefer not to say | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 24.1% | 72.1% | 3.8% | 100% |
| Female | 36.7% | 59.5% | 3.8% | 100% |
Source footnotes
- In the October 2022 survey, ADIs were asked if they had changed the price over the last 2 years.
- The ‘Not sure’ option was added to this question from the June 2023 survey onwards
DVSA source report · checked 2026-09-12 · Open Government Licence v3.0. Download all tables with context and metadata.