Learning to drive is an exciting step into independence, but it’s also easy to be daunted by the thought of just how much the cost of driving lessons could be. Plus, you’ve got to worry about sorting out things like insurance and driving tests on top of that.
That’s why we’re here to answer the question of what it generally costs to go from learner plates to a full driving license.
What’s the price of a provisional license?
The first thing any learner driver needs to sort out is their provisional license. Without this, you can’t get behind the wheel to practice driving on the roads, after all.
Applying for a provisional license in the UK is quite a quick and simple process. If you apply online through the government portal it’ll cost £34, or you can apply through the post for £43.
How much are driving lessons?
Probably the biggest question anyone thinking about learning to drive starts with is ‘how much are driving lessons going to cost’. It’s one of the most variable costs involved; you could see two completely different prices for instructors in the same area, let alone in different areas of the country.
Driving lesson costs have also noticeably increased over time – so it’ll likely cost you more than your parents remember. This is another reason to get started on your learner journey sooner rather than later.
On average, learner drivers are expected to need 45 hours of driving lessons before taking their driving test. A reasonably priced lesson can fall anywhere between £25 to £45 per hour, meaning you’re looking at a cost of between £1,125 to £2,025 as an average estimate.
Some learners may need more hours of lessons, while others could feel ready to brave the test after fewer. But the cost of a couple of extra lessons could balance out having to take the practical test again if you don’t pass on the first go – so it’s all down to the individual driver when they think they’re ready.
What are intensive driving courses?
Another option is to enrol in an intensive course, compressing your driving lessons into a smaller timeframe. These courses are designed to get a learner test-ready in a matter of weeks, with options ranging from 10 to 50 hours depending on the chosen intensity and level of experience.
These intensive courses are potentially pricier than standard lessons, with a full beginner course of 48 hours of lessons ranging from £2,070 upwards.
For learners who want to get their full license as soon as possible, this could be an option worth considering. If you’ve already got some experience on the road then you might only need a shorter course, with intermediate and refresher options for learners who’ve spent time behind the wheel.
How much is learner driver insurance?
Beyond just the driving lessons, it’s a good idea to get some extra practice in before taking the practical test. The average learner is expected to need around 22 hours of private practice on top of their lessons to get fully up to speed.
Whenever you practice in a car outside of your driving lessons, you’ll need the proper insurance in place. Talk of insurance can sound worrying but learner driver insurance might not be as big a cost as you expect. Our own cover costs just 55p a day, for instance.
With learner driver insurance you have the flexibility of taking out cover on a month-by-month basis, making it simple to change policy as soon as you get your full license.
What do driving tests cost?
The theory test
Before you can even book a practical driving test you need to pass your theory test. You can sit the theory test as soon as you’ve got your provisional license, but you’ll likely want to do a fair bit of revision first.
Revision books can be found secondhand or through the library, with the Official DVSA Theory Test Kit app costing £4.99. The theory test itself costs £23 to book and the result is valid for two years, giving you plenty of time to work on passing the practical.
The driving test
Once the theory test is out of the way it’s time to book yourself a practical driving test, which costs £62. This goes up to £75 if the slot you want to book is in the evening, on a weekend or a bank holiday.
If you’re set on an evening or weekend slot you may find yourself waiting longer to take your test, as their availability is often limited. Slots open six months in advance so you may have a bit of a wait before the date of your test comes around – more time to practice.
Of course, everyone hopes to pass their driving test first try but it’s easy for nerves to get the better of you on the day. Less than 50% of learners in the UK pass straight away, so most of us end up having to retake at least once.
There’s no shame in having to do the test over but you will have to pay the same rate to rebook each time.
Is it better to learn to drive an automatic or manual car?
You may have heard debates about manual vs automatic transmission before, and you may already have an idea of which you’d prefer to drive.
Not having to worry about handling a clutch reduces the mental load when driving, which can make a big difference when there’s already so much to take on board as a learner driver. That’s why some new learners choose to start off with an automatic car.
But even if using an automatic makes getting used to the controls easier in the short term, you wouldn’t be able to legally drive a manual car without retaking the test and upgrading your license. Learners who pass the test with a manual are free to drive whichever they prefer.
Either way, it’s down to personal choice which type of car you would rather learn on. Manuals are still generally cheaper to buy as a rule but an automatic may suit your circumstances better so it’s worth weighing up the decision ahead of time.
How much does it cost to learn to drive?
So, with all the costs considered, how much does it really cost to learn to drive in the UK?
Obviously it depends on how many driving lessons are involved and whether or not you pass the driving test on the first try. But, on average, you’re looking at a cost of at least £1,244 at the lowest end before factoring in any insurance or extras.
More likely, learning to drive is going to cost you upwards of £2,000, depending on driving lesson costs. And that’s before you even think about the price of buying your first car and getting it kitted out.
Insurance for learner drivers
For any learner ready to start practising behind the wheel, Sterling can make sure you’re insured properly.
Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quick, no-hassle quote or book a callback at a time that suits you.