The Cost of getting on the road

 

Learning to drive has always been expensive – however, the true cost is now even higher than the average income of young people in the UK.
                                                                            

That's the shocking statistic revealed by road safety charity, the IAM. It reveals that the cost of learning to drive now surpasses the average full-time salary for 16- to 17-year-olds which was set at £9,300GBP in 2009. Whereas the average income has fallen by 9% since then, the cost of learning to drive has not altered: with the total cost now at £12,345.23p.
                  
So where are the costs coming from?

 

According to the IAM, the cheapest car insurance quote available to a 17-year-old male driver in full-time employment is £7,868.38: while the cheapest quote with a telematics box is £4,464.69. Car insurance continues to be the number one expense. Additional costs include: the cost of the vehicle itself (the IAM used a 2007 Kia Picanto as an example, with a cost of £3,000); the cost of theory and practical driving tests at £106; the charge for a provisional and full UK driving licence, which now stands at £100; tax and MOT, of £189.85; fuel and maintenance of £600; and the average number of driving lessons needed to pass, costing £1,081.

 

IAM chief executive Simon Best believes that the cost of learning to drive may be affecting young people's chances of getting jobs, especially in rural areas.

 

"The challenge faced by the government, insurance companies and road safety experts is striking a balance between much-needed experience and manageable costs," he said.

 

"The IAM is calling for insurance companies to be prepared to respond to fluctuations in earnings, and recognise the value of post-test driver training by rewarding safer drivers with more affordable insurance premiums. It is important for young drivers to do their research and shop around when buying insurance."