DRIVING instructors are falling on hard times - because there aren't enough learners to teach.

They claim the new written driving exam has put people off learning and they fear some youngsters will take to the road without licences.

Nationally, test applications have fallen by 50 per cent and the slump means many East Lancashire driving schools are struggling to stay in business.

Stewart Crowther, of Burnley-based Gemini School of Motoring, said: "Business has dropped off dramatically. The people really wanting to learn keep coming, but the problem is with the people who just think they will 'have a go'. They just say 'forget it' when they know they have to sit a test. "For people who have problems with reading and writing, the test is a killer. It has got harder but, saying that, no-one I have taught has failed."

Patrick Doolan, who runs Blackburn-based Central School of Motoring, has seen the number of learner drivers drop off completely.

"I am only doing it part time. I haven't got any work at the moment. It is very quiet."

He said the drop coincided with the arrival of the written test last July. Learners must now sit a multiple choice exam before they can take the practical test. All 450 questions and answers are published by the Government's Driving Standards Agency in a book, which allows learners to swot up beforehand.

But ex-instructor Peter Hodkinson believes this makes little difference and thinks the test is the final straw for the struggling industry. Mr Hodkinson, who ran Blackburn-based Beechwood School of Motoring for 13 years, gave up more than two years ago to work as a bus driver.

"I am glad I'm out," he said. "I wouldn't go back unless it picks up a lot. It was a combination of things, such as people taking just a few lessons instead of the full set and the introduction of reverse parking which put many off. The test is really killing it off."

The Asian community has also been hit hard by the new test. Mohammed Ayub, of ASM School of Motoring, said: "I think it has put off a great deal of the Asian community. They find it more difficult because of problems with translation."

Motor Schools Association chief John Lepine said: "People are being put off taking the test, such as those with learning difficulties and dyslexia, as well as non-English speakers, even though it is not that difficult.

"It is also the perception of low achievers that the test is difficult and we are concerned that they may decide to drive illegally instead."

Numbers of learner drivers were rising but not to the levels of a few years ago.

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