Learning To Drive - A Special Blog
The cost and benefits of driving lessons
2021 saw the lowest record number of young people passing their driving tests with just 2.97 million young people holding a full UK driving license². Now that 2022 is coming to an end, there’s been an increase of 14%ⁱ for car practical tests, with just a 47.1% pass rateⁱ. It’s no surprise that the Covid pandemic caused a lot of upheaval with backdates of driving tests and cancelled lessons. Not to mention the cost of learning to drive and the cost of fuel these days. It’s a tough journey. With so many barriers, thousands of young people are being put off by learning to drive.
Here, we look at the costs of learning to drive compared to using public transport and the benefits of owning a driving license brings.
Learning to drive vs public transport
With the cost of learning to drive increasing, more young people are put off by the notion of paying to learn how to drive.
The Guardian states that for driving lessons alone, this can cost around £1,250³. What’s more, if you don’t block book to gain a discount, this price increases further, making it an expensive commitment. This price also doesn’t include the whopping costs once you’ve passed your test. If you’re aged between 17—20, an annual cost of insurance can set you back £1,800⁴. If you’re aged between 21—25, this figure drops to £1,000 a year⁴. However, if taking the cost of public transport into account, it’s actually cheaper to drive. As the years have progressed, public transport has become increasingly dearer. Even during the cost of fuel crisis, public transport is still more expensive⁵. The RAC Foundation displays a graph here illustrating the cost increase of driving and public transport in relation to the cost of living and average wage. This graph is in stark contrast to the popular argument that public transport is cheaper than driving. Not only is driving cheaper, but it comes with its conveniences: not having to wait for a late bus; enjoying your own space in your own vehicle and having the ability to drive at any time, day or night.
Freedom and independence
With these figures, it’s a no brainer that learning to drive is an investment and, overall, a money-saving commitment.
Not only will you gain a vital skill that you can use for the rest of your life, you will gain the freedom and independence that you’ve never quite had before. With a car, so many doors can open: job opportunities become more accessible; holidays become possible and having the ability to go anywhere becomes easy. So, whilst a lot of young people continue to contemplate whether they want to financially commit to learning how to drive, it’s important to remember the many benefits that come with a driving license.
Whether you’re looking to begin your driving journey or have a refresher course, Freedom Drive are a reputable and successful driving school to choose.
If you’re ready to book your lessons, visit the website sections today to meet the team and contact us.
²RAC