How much does it cost to learn to drive?

Learning to drive can be an exciting time, but there’s no getting away from the fact it can also end up quite expensive. With a provisional licence, lessons, learning resources, tests, tax and even the car itself to pay for, the price can quickly add up…

You can start driving lessons from the age of 17, a time when money can be tight. Before doing anything else, you need to get your provisional licence. The cost of this is £34 online or £43 by post.

In this post, we will talk through the costs of learning to drive and offer tips on how to save while doing so.

Cost of driving lessons per hour

The latest Auto Express report claims the average cost of an hour’s driving lesson is between £30 and £40, depending on where you live and which instructor you choose to go with.

How many driving lessons do you need? This will vary depending on the individual but the average UK learner takes 45 hours of driving lessons and 22 hours of private practice.

Crash course driving lessons

Another option, especially if you are short on time and thrive on pressure, is to take crash course driving lessons. These intensive driving courses are designed for people who want to take their tests quickly.

An intensive course crams 45 hours of driving lessons into just one or two weeks and, according to confused.com data, will cost around £2,000. Whether you’ve had a few practice sessions with an instructor, friend or family member or are a complete beginner, these courses aim to give you everything you need to be test ready in a short space of time.

Course length varies according to your experience and learning to drive in this way can also help build your confidence. There’s also likely to be a one-off payment, which may work for you depending on your financial situation.

A crash course in learning to drive is a commitment – both of your time and finances. Make sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for before booking onto one.

How many lessons do I need to pass my driving test?

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) states learners take an average of 45 hours of driving lessons and 22 hours of private practice to pass their test. Given the average price of driving lessons, you could be facing a bill of at least £1,350 before even booking a test.

Everybody is different and learns at different paces, so do not worry if you’re taking longer than this. You’ll get there in the end and it’s better to take your first test when the instructor believes you are ready, although bear in mind that the average driving test pass rate in the 2023/24 financial year was 47.9%. Don’t get too disheartened if you don’t pass first time.

How much do driving tests cost?

Both theory and practical driving tests have a set fee. Remember, you’ll have to pay this each time you take a test. It’s worth considering this when budgeting your driving lessons. Once you’ve passed your test, the examiner will arrange for the DVLA to send you your full licence at no extra cost.

Check out our blog post for more driving test tips.

Driving theory test

A car driving theory test costs £23, whether booking for a weekday, evening, weekend or bank holiday (although bear in mind that some theory test centres will only be open at certain times).

Practical driving test

A practical driving test will set you back:

• £62 on a weekday.
• £75 on an evening, weekend or bank holiday.

Again, it’s worth checking your local test centre’s opening hours before booking.

Can I take a driving test without driving lessons?

There is no minimum number of lessons you need to take before booking a driving test. Many learners do take their theory test either before or during their early lessons so they can focus fully on the practicalities of learning to drive.

If you learn independently and practise with a friend or family member, you can still take your practical test. Just be aware of the pass standards expected and make sure you have mastered all the manoeuvres and know what to expect.

If you do decide to go down the private practice route, you will need learner driver insurance. This comprehensive policy allows you to drive a car when supervised, and will not affect the vehicle owner’s no claims bonus.

To get learner driver insurance, you must:

• Be aged 17-69 years old.
• Hold a UK provisional driving licence without any points.
• Have been a permanent UK resident for the last 12 months.
• Have no criminal convictions.
• Not had a previous policy of insurance declared void by an insurer.

To get learner car insurance, the person supervising you must:

• Be aged over 25.
• Have held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years.
• Have been a permanent UK resident for at least 2 years.

To get learner insurance, your car must:

• Be valued between £500 and £30,000.
• Be taxed and in a roadworthy condition with a current and valid MOT.
• Be insured with an annual insurance policy if the owner of the vehicle is not you (the learner and policyholder).
• Be used only when you, the learner and the policyholder, are being supervised to learn to drive.
• Be a right-hand drive car with no more than 5 seats in total and not be modified in any way except to aid disabled drivers.

Cars don’t need dual controls during a driving test, but be prepared for the examiner to quickly take over if you make a serious or dangerous fault.

You’ll be paying for the fuel and wear and tear of the car, while also missing out on tapping into an instructor’s knowledge. There are often minor changes to the tests and it will be up to you to research these yourself. You’ll also need to ensure your car is roadworthy ahead of the test.

It needs:

• A valid MOT.
• Tax.
• A valid insurance policy.

How to lower the cost of learning to drive

There are ways of saving on your driving lessons. Many instructors will offer introductory offers, bulk-buying discounts, or even voucher offers through the likes of Groupon. They may also offer discounts on extended lessons e.g. if you take 90 minutes or two hours instead of the usual hour.

Other costs when learning to drive

In addition to your lesson and test expenses, you can buy additional resources to help you on your way to test success. This could be relatively small expenses like guidance apps or theory test books. If money is tight, why not borrow a book from a friend or your local library?

If you are buying the car you are learning (or getting private practice) in, you’ll need to have the funds to pay for the vehicle, get it taxed and get learner driver insurance sorted.

Is learning to drive worth it?

We may be biased but yes! Having the freedom and independence to drive wherever you want to, whenever you want, is one of life’s pleasures. Making last-minute decisions, being in control of getting to your destination and doing things on a whim are all positives.

It’s a lot of hard work and expense to learn to drive, but the rewards make all the effort and perseverance worth it.

Do I need car insurance when learning to drive?

Yes, everyone needs insurance to drive a car on a public road in the UK. If you’re learning to drive with a qualified instructor, you won’t need to worry about getting insured as it will already be included in the price.

When getting in extra private practice with a friend or family member, you will need learner driver insurance. This short-term cover lets you learn to drive in your own or a family member’s car, only paying for the time you need – from 12 hours to 28 days.

Private lessons offer an affordable way of getting on-road experience amongst other benefits:

• Extra time behind the wheel – Practice makes perfect. The more you drive, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become. Driving with someone you know offering advice and supervision may also help calm the nerves.
• Save some money – There’s a one-off payment for each 12-hour to 28-day policy you buy from Tempcover. This can work out cheaper than spending £30 to £40 for each hour’s lesson, especially when you want some extra practice before the big test.
• No effect on any no claims discount – Drivers are understandably a little nervous about learners driving their car. Tempcover’s comprehensive learner driver insurance does not affect existing policies, meaning their no claims bonus remains intact.
• Take your test in your preferred car – Want to take your test in the car you’ve had the private practice in? Learner driver insurance lets you do just that.

You’ll need to own a provisional licence and the supervising driver needs to have owned a full licence for over three years.

Learner driver insurance won’t cover you once you’ve passed your test. After doing this, you will have to arrange an annual policy or buy temporary car insurance to give yourself a little extra time to sort this.

Sources:

• https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/first-cars/98623/how-much-do-driving-lessons-cost
• https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/first-cars/91405/uk-driving-test-pass-rates-explained
• https://www.wimbledondrivingschool.com/how-much-do-driving-lessons-cost-in-the-uk