Its believed that fewer people are taking lessons at the moment when compared with the last 20 years according to the Halifax Driving Instructors Association.

Three driving instructors based in Calderdale have quit in the last few months,  while other instructors have had to take on part time work.

Keith Donkersley, secretary of the  Halifax Driving Instructors Association, said:  “People are struggling with the credit crunch and the first things to go are the non-essentials and, unfortunately, driving lessons are considered non-essential.”

“Many instructors have gone from being jam-packed in the summer, doing 50 hour weeks, to struggling to get even 20.

So if you thinking of taking lessons then now might be a good time to try and negotiate a good deal, just remember not to take advantage of struggling instructors (everyone has to make a living).  That being said there are deals to be had on most services and goods (not just driving lessons).