Andorra Driving Schools Face Chaos from Summer Student Licence Rush

Driving schools in Andorra are experiencing intense summer pressure from young university students and adolescents seeking licences during their holidays, leading to chaotic schedules, instructor shortages, and occasional refusals of new enrolments.

The peak demand stems from students who typically start the process in spring, pass theory tests around Easter, and then pursue intensive practical training over the summer break. "The process that begins in May drags on until after Christmas, and summer is chaotic," said Marta López, secretary at Autoescola Les Valls. Centres prioritise university students, many of whom study abroad and only return during vacations, but conflicting schedules—such as trips or distant courses—often extend timelines. Joela Dinet, owner and instructor at Autoescola Olímpica, noted that those who enrol early can generally obtain their licences in summer, though some with difficulties must wait for the next break. López warned that expecting quick results while planning long holidays is unrealistic, adding that schools sometimes turn away late applicants as "it's impossible."

Instructors face heavy workloads amid a nationwide shortage. López said her centre urgently needs another monitor, calling it "mission impossible" to hire one. At Autoescola Olímpica, four instructors handle 50 practical students, with about 20 taking exams weekly as new ones join from waiting lists. This leaves little room for staff holidays: Dinet's team takes just 15 days off in summer and 15 in winter, the maximum possible. Hiring seasonally would burden low-demand periods, she added. A positive factor is that examiners maintain full activity through August, unlike in France or Spain, allowing centres to manage higher volumes.

This seasonal strain builds on broader challenges, including growing applications from 15- and 16-year-olds, parental pre-registrations, and students' reliance on automated apps over thorough theory study. Government exam limits—10 pupils per instructor per session, with slots reserved until results—exacerbate queues, especially after failures block replacements.

Andorra ended 2025 with 1.82 vehicles per driving licence holder: 57,657 permits across categories against 104,700 vehicles. July saw a 19.5% rise in registrations, driven by hybrid cars, with passenger vehicles at 68,000 (67% of the fleet), followed by nearly 20,000 motorcycles and mopeds, and over 7,000 trucks and vans.

A recent editorial called for reviewing resources and organisation to address these persistent bottlenecks while upholding standards. Some schools report manageable waits of two to six weeks, viewing the influx as typical, though others face delays pushing training into September.