Calls to Do More to Support Young Drivers as Learner Costs Hit £2.5K

Learners now pay 215% more for driving lessons than they did thirty years ago, with more young people being excluded from getting behind the wheel due to financial pressures.

Now car insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk are calling for more regulation regarding the cost of learning to drive.

This comes after many cannot afford the expense as young people are estimated to pay over £2500 to get their licence.

Has researched the average amount of money a learner today will pay from start to finish.

Before even getting behind the wheel, learners in the UK must apply for a provisional driving licence, costing them £34 to apply online or £43 by post.

Next, the most significant expense is finding a suitable driving instructor and getting enough practice to take the test.

The Government’s ‘Ready to Pass’ campaign claims that the average learner will take 45 lessons plus 22 hours of private practice with their instructor.

Considering that the average 1-hour lesson costs £30, learners are expected to fork out £1,350 to pay instructors.

Paying actually to take the driving test is another expense learners cannot avoid – pupils must pass both the theory test (£23) and the practical test (£62 for weekday tests rising to £75 on the weekend).

Additional fees at the test-taking stage include paid-for apps to practise theory test questions, and many driving instructors will also require payment for learners to use the car when taking their test.

Overall, learners are now paying £2707 to learn to drive, not including the cost of more driving lessons and more tests if unsuccessful after the first try.

Every year around 1.6 million nervous Brits buckle up to sit their practical driving test, and the pass rate falls shy of 50% – dropping to 46% on average for female drivers.

Comparatively, reports show that learners in the 1980s and 90s paid an average of just £10 an hour – meaning lessons alone cost pupils today £900 more today.

Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, said: “Learning to drive is a rite of passage, and the worry is young people aren’t getting the option to learn, as the rising costs are making it unaffordable.

“More regulation on the cost of driving lessons and other mandatory fees would help young people get out on the roads and also help ensure they don’t cut corners.

“Having a more affordable pathway to learn to drive will also encourage pupils to take their time before booking a test and, in turn, help reduce the growing driving test backlog across the country.”

Learners also have to tax and insure the vehicle and its costs if they don’t have access to a family car. It’s beginning to make driving unattainable for young drivers.

As a price comparison site, Quotezone.co.uk is designed to help young drivers find competitive costs by comparing products and exploring alternative options such as a black box or telematics products.

Driving Essentials for Learners	Estimated Cost
Provisional Driving Licence	£34 to apply online (or £43 by post)
Driving Lessons	£1,350 (£30 per hour x 45 hours)
Driving Theory Test	£23
Driving Practical Test	£62 for weekday tests (rising to £75 on the weekend)
Revision Materials	Revision app £5
Instructors Car for the Test	£60 (£30 per hour x 2 at lesson fee rate)
Vehicle Tax	£145 (although TBC on vehicle specifics)
Average Insurance Estimate 17-24-year-olds	£1028 (TBC on driver/vehicle specifics)
Estimated Total	£2707

Not including the cost of the vehicle itself, assuming most learners have access to a family vehicle initially

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