Drivers in the Barcelona region face waits of between four and seven months to begin practical lessons after passing their theory test, according to figures from the Federation of Driving Schools of Barcelona.

Currently, 88,500 people across Catalonia have passed the theory exam but cannot progress, with 67,700 of them waiting in the Barcelona demarcation alone. The Catalan capital has the longest queue, with 30,500 applicants held up, followed by Sabadell, where 11,500 are awaiting practical training.

Staff Shortages Blamed for Delays

Àlex Requena, president of the Federation of Driving Schools of Barcelona, attributed the backlog to a severe shortage of driving instructors and administrative staff. He told El matí de Catalunya Ràdio that the profession struggles to attract candidates, saying: "People want to be engineers, astronauts, lawyers… Nobody thinks about being a driving school instructor."

The sector cannot absorb demand due to lack of instructors and examiners, leaving thousands in limbo after passing theory.

Driving schools say the shortage extends to DGT examiners, whose limited numbers delay final practical tests. Despite the Directorate General for Traffic (DGT) announcing 32 new examiner positions last week, 22 in Barcelona and two in Sabadell, the sector warns the measure is insufficient.

More Examiners Needed to Clear Backlog

  • Only 23 of the 54 new examiners appointed in 2024 were assigned to Catalonia, according to government figures published in the BOE on 17 May 2024.
  • In recent years, temporary examiners have been deployed: 15 by vacancy and 29 through task accumulation, mostly on six-month contracts.
  • Driving schools argue that even if all 32 new posts are filled, double that number may be needed to reduce waiting times significantly.

Requena cautioned that announcing positions does not guarantee they will be occupied, as interest in the role remains low. "If there are not enough applicants, some will remain vacant," he said.

For now, thousands of learners remain stuck in the system, having passed the theory test but unable to advance, prolonging the overall process of obtaining a driving licence.

Sources: 3Cat, congreso.es, sabadell.cat.