Do we need a UK regulator to watch over driving lessons costs, plus the quality of the training being given on the road? Maybe so, Quotezone says it’s time for a rethink. As most insurers know the claims ratio for new drivers is high, which is why premiums reflect that risk, so maybe an agreed standard on different skills being accomplished on the road towards the driving test is a good idea? Then there’s ADAS tech to consider; does that give a false sense of security to learners? Here’s the word;
Learners are now paying 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 for the cost of learning to drive. This comes after many simply cannot afford the expense as young people are estimated to pay over £2500 to get their licence.
Quotezone.co.uk has researched the average amount of money a learner today will end up paying 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 biggest expense, is finding a driving instructor suitable and getting enough practice in to take the test. The Government’s ‘Ready to Pass’ campaign claims that the average learner will take 45 hours of lessons with their instructor plus 22 hours of private practice. Taking into account that the average 1 hour lesson costs £30, learners are expected to fork out £1,350 to pay instructors.
Paying to actually 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 they are 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 as a whole falls just 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 are costing pupils today £900 more.
LIKE BUYING A HOUSE, CAR OWNERSHIP IS BECOMING A DISTANT DREAM
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 seen across the country.”
Learners also have to tax and insure the vehicle and indeed the vehicle cost itself 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 black box or telematics products.
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