No test dates

State slows down Styrian driving schools

Symbolic image

(Bild: Huber Patrick)

Excitement among Styrian driving school operators: Due to a lack of staff in the responsible department, prospective driving instructors are currently unable to take their exams. This means that there is a lack of instructors in many places as the motorcycle season gets underway.

The widespread shortage of skilled workers is also affecting driving schools. In order to make the profession of driving instructor more attractive, the new amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act came into force on January 1 this year. This should not only make the profession more financially attractive for newcomers, but should also enable driving instructors to be employed more quickly in driving schools.

Driving instructors on hold
However, this is precisely where things are going wrong in Styria: after four months (and at least 140 teaching hours), driving instructor assistants have to take a teaching qualification test with the state in order to be able to work as a driving instructor. "Unfortunately, there were no exam dates at all until mid-February and even now there are far too few on offer," says Markus Dirschlmayr, who runs his own academy for driving instructors with the Fahrlehrer-Company in Kapfenberg and is also head of the Steirerdrive driving school in Bruck, shaking his head.

Markus Dirschlmayr.

(Bild: kphotography)

In his company alone, 50 candidates are waiting for an exam date. "There must be 100 in the whole of Styria - we would need three to four additional appointments in May and June. Because with the motorcycle season starting now, we are just before the most important time of year for all driving schools."

"The situation is unbearable"
Dirschlmayr has therefore turned to the responsible provincial councillor and Deputy Provincial Governor Anton Lang (SPÖ), especially as these delays are not only causing economic problems for the driving schools. "Some instructors are already having problems with the AMS because they are in danger of losing their money due to the delays. The situation is unbearable - I am at the end of my patience."

The Styrian Transport Minister and Deputy Governor Anton Lang.

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

State acknowledges problems
Anton Lang's office confirms "that there have been some problems in recent months due to legal changes". In particular, because the framework conditions from the federal government have only recently become available. "It is clear that the province of Styria is naturally concerned that driving instructors can take their exams and complete their training on time and in a timely manner." Efforts are also being made to increase the number of staff in the responsible department 16 of the province.