Wake County students experience extended delays in completing driver’s education

The shortage of driving school instructors in Wake County has led to long wait times for students eager to complete their in-car instruction and hit the road. With some local schools reporting wait times of up to 20 weeks, the backlog has become a major concern for both students and school officials.

The school system contracts with Jordan Driving School to provide in-car instruction for students, but the number of instructors dropped significantly during the pandemic, causing delays in completing the required driving hours. However, efforts are being made to recruit and train more instructors to meet the growing demand.

Despite the challenges, officials are optimistic that the situation will improve as more instructors are certified and the backlog is addressed. The district is also looking to collaborate with other counties facing similar challenges to find innovative solutions to the problem.

The issue is not unique to Wake County, as other large districts in North Carolina and across the country are also grappling with a shortage of driving instructors. By working together and sharing best practices, officials hope to find effective ways to reduce wait times and ensure that students can complete their driver education requirements in a timely manner.