Both driving instruction and tests can be done in the applicant's own vehicle or in the instructor's car, in the UK, so the vehicle isn't the issue. Examiners

Both driving instruction and tests can be done in the applicant's own vehicle or in the instructor's car, in the UK, so the vehicle isn't the issue. Examiners were expensive and rare already before 2020, and a hell of a lot of them dropped out in the covid era for health and practicality reasons. Testing and examination was impossible for a period of time and then impractical for a period afterwards which hit the profession. It caused an enormous backlog of driving tests which I think is not even resolved now. But also driving instruction and examination is a popular career choice for older people made redundant or "invalided-out" of jobs (particularly in the police or forces). Many of those people did not return when they could, for safety reasons.