Learning to drive is a big step and commitment for young drivers: and it can also be a pretty expensive thing to do. New drivers need to consider multiple different costs when learning how to drive that goes beyond just the lessons themselves.
New learners may have yet to consider some common additional fees and costs before, like booking tests, insurance, tax, etc. Here’s a detailed guide on just how much you may need to spend to learn how to drive.
How much are driving lessons?
The cost of driving lessons fluctuates a lot, and there’s no standardised pricing that instructors need to follow. On average, an hour’s lesson costs between £25-£30, but more experienced instructors could cost even more.
When choosing your instructor, you must consider their experience and cost carefully. A better, more qualified and successful instructor may cost more per lesson, but you may not need as many with them as you would with a potentially cheaper and less effective instructor.
When getting lessons, many instructors will require you to book two-hour lessons at a time, especially as you get started, so that you have plenty of time to learn and practise with them. This means that, essentially, each session can cost you between £50-£60.
You may be able to save some money by paying for lessons in bulk, as instructors can offer discounts. For example, you may be able to book a block of 8 hours for £200 instead of paying a total of £300 if you bought £30 per hour lessons separately.
Although the average fee for a single lesson may not sound like a lot, it can quickly add up when you realise that most learner drivers spend around 45 hours preparing for their practical tests. Of course, you can also spend a lot more time if you’re finding the process difficult, meaning that you could be paying a lot more for your lessons. If you complete 45 lessons at the average price of £30 per hour, then you’ll spend £1350 on lessons alone.
How much are the theory and practical tests?
You’re not allowed to take your practical driving test unless you’ve passed your theory test. This test ensures that you know the rules of the road as well as other important facts. This test costs £23 to book, but do note that if you fail, you’ll have to pay another £23 to retake the test.
This is why it’s essential only to book the test when you’re confident that you’re ready, as taking multiple tests before passing can increase the total amount you pay when learning to drive.
You also need to pay for the practical test as well. For this, the DVLA charges £62 if you have the test on a weekday and £75 if you’re doing the test on a weekend. As well as this fee, you’ll also have to pay your driving instructor if you’re using their car. They won’t be able to take other lessons while you use their vehicle for the test, so you may have to pay for an entire session. Depending on how much you pay your instructor, that can add an extra £30-£50 to the practical test fee.
Once again, if you don’t pass the first time, you’ll have to make this payment again, increasing how much you pay in total.
How much does insurance for learner drivers cost?
To be able to learn how to drive, you’re going to need learners’ insurance. Many insurance providers offer a bespoke type of insurance for learner drivers, which is flexible and offers short-term protection.
You only need this type of insurance if you’re practising in your own car, as the driving instructor’s insurance should cover you when in their vehicle.
The cost of learner insurance can fluctuate a fair bit. You can save money by being added as a named driver to a pre-existing insurance policy. That said, once you pass your driving tests and become a qualified driver, you’ll need to get proper insurance instantly to be able to drive. When factoring this into the costs of insurance for learner drivers, you’ll have to pay, on average, £972 if the driver is between the ages of 18 and 20 years old.
Other Costs for learning to drive?
In addition to these core costs, there are a few other expenses to consider that can increase the running total.
You can’t begin learning to drive without a valid license. All learner drivers need a provisional license to get behind the wheel and start taking driving lessons. It costs £34 to get a provisional license when applying online or £43 when doing so by post.
As well as needing a license, some learner drivers may benefit from getting additional studying material, such as official DVLA guidebooks or the highway code. This can help them prepare for the theory tests and enhance their understanding of the rules of the road, allowing them to pass their driving tests faster. These resources can cost anything between £20-£50, and some people may think about getting more than one.
In addition, some people may also benefit from getting a theory test practice app. These mobile apps allow students to complete mock tests and study the topics that they struggle with the most. These apps are a great way to help new drivers pass the test. These apps can cost up to £5 but are a worthwhile expense.
Conclusion
Learning to drive is expensive. When combining the costs of lessons, insurance, driving tests, licenses, and resources, you can quickly end up spending £2360, and it’s if you already have a car that’s taxed and pass your tests the first time around.
If you spend more hours than average learning and complete multiple tests before getting it right, you can spend well over £3,000. Make sure you budget for this amount when you begin the learning process to ensure you can afford it and don’t have any financial issues.
