Learner drivers face nearly £1,000 in costs before even getting their licence

• The average learner has paid for more than 18.5 hours of driving lessons so far. Based on average UK lesson prices, this equates to at least £777 per learner
• With £777 on lessons, many drivers spending £124 to take two practical tests, and theory tests costing £23, some learners are spending nearly £1,000 before even getting their licence
• Among the most popular first cars driven by 17 to 20-year-olds, total costs including purchase, insurance and tax range from around £3,430 to more than £7,707
• Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) learners have considered not learning to drive at all because of the cost, while 1 in 4 (25%) say upfront expenses are the biggest barrier
• Confused.com has created a cost of driving calculator to help young drivers and their parents compare the cost of popular first cars, insurance, fuel, road tax and purchase prices

From new driving test booking changes and lengthy waiting times to insurance premiums and vehicle costs, getting on the road has become increasingly challenging for young drivers. New research by Confused.com reveals the growing cost of getting on the road, with learner drivers facing costs of at least £924 before getting their licence(1).

Before learner drivers are ready to take their test, the cost of multiple lessons adds up in the first instance. The average learner has already paid for more than 18.5 hours of driving lessons. Based on the average cost of driving lessons in the UK, this equates to a minimum cost of £777 (2), with costs depending where you live.

And for those who need to retake their practical tests, the amount of money required can become unmanageable and unpredictable. Data obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) shows that more than 2.3 million practical driving tests were taken by 17 to 24 year-olds in Great Britain between January 2023 and March 2025, yet almost half resulted in a fail. With half of learners taking at least 2 driving tests, by the time they get their licence, they will have paid around £124.(3) Adding this with theory test prices and the cost of driving lessons, this takes the average cost per learner driver for getting on the road to at least £924.(4)

The costs faced by learner drivers are reflected in national spending figures. Data obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) shows that more than £400 million was spent on practical driving tests across the UK between 2023 and 2025(4). Annual income from practical driving tests increased by 7% over the period, rising from £128 million in 2023 to £137 million in 2025, highlighting the substantial scale of the driving test industry and the significant revenue it generates each year.

Meanwhile, learners across Great Britain also spent £221.6 million on theory tests between 2023 and 2025, spending £79.6 million in 2025 alone.

But the costs don't stop when drivers get their licence. New drivers face the additional challenge of buying and insuring their first car, with even some of the most popular models for young drivers carrying significant upfront and ongoing costs.

Our research shows that among the most common first cars driven by 17 to 20-year-olds, total costs, including purchase price, insurance and road tax, range from around £3,430 for a Fiat 500 Pop to more than £7,707 for an Audi A1 Sport. Purchase prices range from around £1,970 to more than £6,200, while insurance premiums almost double from £1,063 for the Fiat to £2,015 for the Audi. Drivers must also factor in road tax of £20 to £35 for both models, although for other popular first cars among 17 to 20-year-olds, such as the Volkswagen Polo S, it can reach £360.

Lengthy waits can also add to the overall cost of learning to drive. With wait times for tests remaining longer than ever, some learner drivers might have to wait a long time to get behind the wheel of their first car from the time they purchase it. Between 2023 and 2025, practical driving test waiting times averaged 12.3 weeks in Great Britain.

These delays can leave learners waiting months to retake a failed test, increasing both the time and expense involved in obtaining a licence. In some cases, long gaps between attempts could even mean a learner's theory test certificate expires before they pass their practical test, requiring them to pay to take it again.

Driving test centres in Britain with the highest waiting times (in weeks) to take a practical driving test (2023 - 2025)

The rising costs and lengthy waits appear to be taking their toll. According to a survey of 200 UK learner drivers, almost 1 in 5 (18%) have already spent more than £1,000 on learning to drive before receiving their licence. More than a quarter (28%) expect it will take between 5 and 6 months from starting lessons to passing their test.

Many learners say they're making financial sacrifices to afford getting on the road. More than a third (35%) have cut back on other spending, such as socialising and shopping, to cover the costs of learning to drive. Meanwhile, over 1 in 5 (21%) say they would consider choosing a black box insurance policy to reduce premiums, while a further 1 in 5 (20%) say they have relied on, or would rely on, financial support from parents or family to help cover the costs. Over 1 in 4 (29%) also say they would choose a car based purely on affordability rather than personal preference.

The cost of learning to drive is also creating barriers for some, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) admit they have considered not learning to drive at all because of the expense. Almost 1 in 4 (22%) also say not being able to drive limits their opportunities for work, travel and socialising.

The cost of getting on the road continues to weigh heavily on drivers. According to a survey of 2,000 UK drivers, insurance (55%) and buying a car (51%) were the most commonly cited expenses when they reflected on the costs faced when first starting to drive.

Despite the costs, many drivers still view getting a licence as essential, with almost half (45%) saying they learnt to drive because it was important for their independence.

Learning to drive can be expensive, and the costs don't stop once drivers pass their test. With first-year motoring costs reaching as high as £7,700 among some of the most popular first cars, choosing the right first vehicle can make a significant difference to how much new drivers spend overall. To help learner drivers, Confused.com has created a cost of driving calculator. The tool estimates the first-year cost of driving by comparing some of the most popular cars among 17-20-year-olds, as well as the cheapest cars to insure. It breaks down key expenses, including average insurance premiums, vehicle purchase prices, fuel costs and road tax, helping motorists make more informed decisions when choosing their first car.

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Notes to editors