Recent research commissioned by Veygo shows that the average cost of learning to drive now stands at £939 – a 73% jump compared to five years ago.

For many families, it’s become a big ‘hidden’ expense of the late teenage years. And with nearly 8 in 10 parents contributing towards lessons and tests, it’s not just learners feeling the impact.

So where is the money going – and are there ways to manage the cost more effectively?

Where the money adds up

The biggest expense remains professional driving lessons.

Parents of learners who passed recently reported spending an average of £517 on lessons alone. In 2020, that figure was closer to £301. And 12% said they spent over £1,000 purely on lessons.

But lessons are only part of the total bill.

On average:

• Theory tests (including resits) cost around £62
• Practical tests (including resits) cost around £118
• Insurance for practice adds roughly £144
• Fuel for supervised driving averages close to £97

Add it all together, and the total reaches £939 – compared to just over £540 only a few years ago.

The resit effect

One of the biggest hidden drivers of cost is retaking tests.

On average, learners resit both the theory and practical test once. While a single resit might not seem significant, it quickly adds up – particularly if extra lessons are needed before trying again.

Industry data shows that learners who combine professional lessons with supervised private practice are around 50% more likely to pass first time. That suggests there may be an opportunity for families to reduce long-term costs – not by cutting lessons, but by supplementing them more strategically.

Why aren’t parents practising more?

Despite the benefits of supervised practice, parents take their child out just six times on average during the learning process.

That’s relatively low, especially considering some parents admit their child could have passed more quickly with additional time on the road.

There are understandable reasons for this:

• Lack of confidence supervising
• Busy schedules
• Concerns about insurance cover
• Stress or nerves in the passenger seat

But increasing supervised practice could help learners build experience more quickly – particularly in varied conditions such as roundabouts, dual carriageways and parking scenarios.

Practical ways to manage the cost

While no one can control test fees or lesson prices entirely, there are ways to approach the process more strategically.

1. Keep lessons consistent

Long gaps between lessons can slow progress and increase the total number needed. Regular sessions help skills develop faster.

2. Add structured private practice

Reinforce professional lessons with supervised drives focused on specific skills – such as manoeuvres or independent driving.

3. Don’t rush into tests

Taking a practical test before being fully ready increases the likelihood of resits – and extra expense. Mock tests can help identify gaps early.

4. Budget for the full journey

Rather than planning for lessons alone, factor in theory, practical tests, potential resits, insurance and fuel from the outset.

5. Explore flexible insurance options

Short-term or flexible learner insurance can allow supervised practice without committing to long-term policies, helping families only pay for the cover they need.

The bigger picture

At £939 on average, learning to drive is undeniably more expensive than it was just a few years ago. But understanding where those costs come from – and how choices around practice, preparation and insurance influence the total – can make a meaningful difference.

With the right planning and support, learners can build skills efficiently, reduce the likelihood of resits, and avoid unnecessary additional costs along the way. Because while learning to drive may cost more than it once did, the confidence and independence it brings remain milestones worth investing in.

Ready to cover practice driving with flexible learner insurance?

The post The cost of learning to drive (and how to keep it under control) appeared first on Veygo.

But while passengers can make journeys more enjoyable, they can also make them more distracting – sometimes without drivers even realising it.

New research commissioned by Veygo, surveying 2,000 UK adults, found that nearly a third of drivers (32%) admit they feel distracted when driving with friends in the car. Among 18-24-year-olds, that figure rises to almost half (48%).

So what is it about driving with friends that makes it harder to focus?

It’s not just noise – it’s divided attention

When people think about distracted driving, they often picture phones. But passengers introduce something slightly different: social distraction.

According to the Veygo-commissioned research, drivers are most distracted by:

• Friends talking to them (42%)
• Talking too loudly (37%)
• Being told to look at something outside the window (27%)
• Loud music (24%)
• Directions being given too late (24%)
• Someone trying to show them something on their phone (23%)

On their own, these might seem minor. But driving requires constant scanning, hazard perception and split-second decisions. Add in social interaction – answering questions, reacting to jokes, responding to commentary – and your cognitive load increases.

In simple terms: your brain has more to juggle.

The pressure to perform

There’s another factor at play, particularly for younger drivers: social pressure.

When you’re alone in the car, you make decisions based purely on safety and road conditions. When friends are present, there can be subtle pressure – even unintentionally – to:

• Keep up with traffic
• Take a quicker route
• React to something funny or surprising
• Appear calm and confident

For newer drivers, that added layer can reduce the mental space available for safe decision-making. But even experienced motorists aren’t immune.

When distraction turns into risk

Interestingly, 34% of drivers say they actually become more cautious when friends distract them. That suggests many people are aware of the shift in focus and try to compensate.

However:

• 19% report having a near miss
• 12% have had to pull over
• 6% say they’ve been involved in a crash

That’s a reminder that awareness alone isn’t always enough. Once concentration dips, even briefly, the margin for error narrows.

Why younger drivers feel it more

With 48% of 18-24-year-olds reporting distraction, experience likely plays a role.

Newer drivers are still building automatic habits – gear changes, mirror checks and hazard perception require more conscious thought than they do for seasoned motorists. Add conversation and background noise, and that mental workload increases further.

That doesn’t mean driving with friends is unsafe by default. It just means the environment inside the car matters more than many people realise.

How to keep social drives safe

Driving with friends doesn’t have to mean distraction. A few small steps can make a big difference:

1. Set the tone before you move

Let passengers know you’ll need extra focus in busy areas or unfamiliar roads. A quick heads-up can prevent interruptions later.

2. Stay in control of the environment

Music, navigation and in-car settings should stay under the driver’s control. Sudden changes can break concentration at the wrong moment.

3. Keep phones out of sight

Even a quick glance at someone else’s screen can pull your attention from the road. It can wait.

4. Ask for calm, clear directions

Late instructions lead to rushed decisions. Agree in advance how directions will be given.

5. Pull over if needed

If things feel overwhelming or chaotic, stopping safely is always better than continuing distracted.

A car is a social space – but safety comes first.

It’s easy to forget that driving is one of the most complex everyday tasks we do. The moment the engine starts, you’re processing speed, distance, road signs, pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles – all at once.

Friends can make journeys memorable. But staying focused ensures they’re memorable for the right reasons.

Whether you’re newly qualified or have years of experience, being aware of how passengers affect your concentration is a simple step towards safer driving.

Ready to drive with confidence, even with friends in the car? Get a quote in minutes.

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Currently in England, Scotland and Wales, once you’ve passed your theory test, you can book your practical driving test straight away – there’s no legal requirement to spend a set amount of time learning before doing so. But the Government is now consulting on whether to change that, proposing a mandatory learning period of either three or six months before a learner can take their practical test.

So, what is the consultation about?

The Department for Transport (DfT) has opened a public consultation that runs until 31 March 2026 seeking views on introducing:

• A minimum time period between passing the theory test and taking the practical test
• A minimum number of supervised driving hours under qualified instructors and/or supervising drivers
• A mandated learning syllabus
• A logbook or other record of driving experience for learners to complete
  These measures together make up what’s referred to as a Minimum Learning Period (MLP).

The aim, the Government says, is to give learner drivers more time on the road in different situations and conditions – such as night driving, busy traffic, or adverse weather – before they sit their practical test. That’s because real-world experience isn’t something you automatically get just by passing a theory exam.

Why now? A focus on road safety

This isn’t happening in a vacuum – it’s part of a much wider road safety strategy introduced by Ministers in January 2026. The Government wants to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035. Young and new drivers are a key focus of this strategy because data shows they are disproportionately involved in accident statistics: drivers aged 17–24 make up a small proportion of licence holders but a much larger share of serious collisions.

The Government believes that giving learners more time to build skills and confidence before testing could make a real difference in reducing crashes caused by inexperience. Evidence from other countries with similar systems suggests that mandatory minimum learning periods, when combined with structured learning requirements, can improve safety outcomes for novice drivers.

What would this mean for Learner Drivers and parents?

If the DfT goes ahead with a minimum learning period, learner drivers can expect some changes to how they plan their learning journey:

1. You might have to hold your theory pass for longer before taking your practical test.

Under the proposed options, learners would need to wait at least three or six months after passing the theory test before booking or sitting their practical test.

2. This time could count towards structured supervised practice.

It isn’t just about waiting – the idea is that learners use this period to get real experience behind the wheel, both with a professional driving instructor and with supervising drivers (like parents or guardians).

3. Parents could play an even more important role.

If a logbook or syllabus becomes part of the requirement, keeping records of practice and covering a wider range of driving conditions could become the norm. This could help learners develop better skills – and give parents clear guidance on what to practise.

4. Planning your budget and timeline becomes even more essential.

For many families, timing lessons and tests has always been a juggling act. A statutory waiting period would make that timeline more predictable – but it would also mean planning in advance to avoid additional delays or expense. That makes early preparation and good guidance from instructors even more important.

But isn’t there already a waiting time for practical tests?

Yes – even before this consultation, many learners are already waiting several months for practical driving tests, due to backlogs in the system. In fact, it’s not unusual for theory passers to find the earliest available practical test slot is already six months or more away.

However, the consultation is about legally mandating that minimum period, not just the effect of current booking delays. That’s a significant difference and one being debated by learner drivers, parents, insurers, instructors, and road safety campaigners alike.

What happens next?

The Government will review consultation responses after March 2026 and decide whether to take forward any changes in law or policy. If introduced, such reforms would represent one of the most substantial changes to the learning-to-drive process in decades.

Here at Veygo, we’re watching closely because we know every step in a learner’s journey – from provisional licence to test day – matters to your confidence, preparation, and insurance support. As this consultation unfolds, we’ll keep you updated on what it could mean for you and your family.

Planning more practice between theory and test? Get a price in minutes for learner insurance with Veygo

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