Students Face Financial Hurdles when Learning to Drive: The Ongoing Struggles of Hitting the Road
Over the last five years, the cost of an hourly driving lesson has increased by 47%.
This year, a driving lesson will typically cost £34 per hour, according to NimbleFins , or £1530 for the recommended hours. The average price was £23 five years ago—a substantial increase. With the additional fees for a theory test (£23) and a practical test (£62), the financial burden of learning to drive becomes even more evident.
Credit: Pexel
For young people in particular, learning to drive has been seen as a rite of passage that offers flexibility and independence. However, with living costs also rising, learning to drive is becoming gradually more expensive, especially for students.
Daria Olejniczak, a 20-year-old Coventry University student, is one of many facing this challenge. “With university, learning to drive has been so expensive that I’ve questioned if it’s even worth it,” she says. “The only driving instructor I have found available has meant I’m having to pay £38 an hour.”
“With university, learning to drive has been so expensive that I’ve questioned if it’s even worth it”
Other issues only add to the struggle, with long waiting times for driving tests. The average wait time for a driving test in Great Britain is four months, according to TaxPayersAlliance. This is still following on from the backlog the pandemic caused. “I’ve struggled with finding tests that suit me and are close to when my instructor feels I’ll be comfortable to pass,” Daria explains. This delay means learners are forced to book additional lessons to maintain their skills, adding to the financial strain. Coventry-based driving instructor Ruby Reheman adds to this: “The test times are still a huge issue for me and my learners. It’s affecting how long I have with a learner before they pass.”
These barriers may restrict young people’s freedom and career opportunities, as driving is becoming increasingly more essential for many jobs. For students living in rural areas or places with limited public transport, the problem is significantly worse. Learning to drive can often feel like a necessity rather than a choice.
Credit: Ruby Reheman
“I have personally had to increase my prices, especially in the past few years”
Driving instructors themselves are feeling the pressure of rising costs, which inevitably impacts their learners. “I have personally had to increase my prices, especially in the past few years, due to rising diesel prices and a rise in pretty much every other factor,” Ruby says. The current environment is affecting instructors abilities to take on new students. “I do have to stop taking on new learners as I don’t have the hours available to cater to students,” she continues.
Credit: Pexel
More alternatives are becoming available for people who are having financial difficulties paying for lessons, such as certain driving schools that give student discounts. For example, BSM offers £2 off every lesson and other discounts for those in education.
Still, as costs and delays persist, students continue facing a challenging road ahead. Until systemic issues– like high operating costs and test backlogs– are resolved, learning to drive will remain an expensive choice for many.