Women drivers 'take longer to pass'

25/10/11

By Shane Gladstone

Figures have highlighted a gender gap when it comes to learning to drive.

A survey from Co-operative Insurance found that women spend more on their lessons than their male counterparts - with £528 and £384 respectively.

The research also found that they had more lessons than men - an average of 22 compared to 16.

However the gap narrows when it comes to the average age for passing the test.

On average men pass their test aged 19 years and five months, with women following closely behind at 19 years and seven months.

Co-operative Insurance motor insurance head Grant Mitchell said: "Our findings show that men tend to need less practice before passing their test, although this doesn't necessarily make them the better drivers.

"In fact, because women tend to take more time learning to drive they are likely to have built up more experience of the road before they pass their test."