My son recently passed his basic theory test for driving and has received his provisional driving licence, which is valid for six months. We were very excited for him to start practical lessons, but we learnt that the waiting period at the three official driving schools is two to three months to begin lessons. I was told that he might even have to wait till next year.

We turned to private driving instructors but they, too, are fully booked and have a long waiting period. This shows that demand is high and supply is low.

The Singapore Safety Driving Centre opened in 1983, the Bukit Batok Driving Centre opened in 1988 and the newest one, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre, opened in 1996, 20 years ago.

Our population has grown significantly in the past 20 to 30 years, but supply has not kept up with demand. It is unproductive and disheartening to pass the theory test but then be unable to apply what one has learnt, especially since the provisional licence has a limited validity.

Has attaining a driving licence been deliberately made more difficult to discourage people from buying a car?

I hope the authorities can look into either opening another driving school or granting more private driving instructor licences to alleviate the crunch.

Shirin Aroozoo (Ms)