31/03/2006

Learner drivers fork out £1billion a year trying to pass their test according to new research by Churchill Car Insurance.

The research shows that provisional licence holders need 42 lessons before they can tear up their ‘L’-plates – and at least two driving tests.

With lessons working out at £22 a time on average, men and women will have to spend £924 learning to handle a car.

On top of that there’s the cost of the theory test and practical driving test which pushes the cost of learning to drive through the £1,100 barrier (£1,162).

And with figures* revealing that more than 900,000 people a year apply for provisional licences, that pushes the price of passing up to £1.087 billion.

Churchill** surveyed 2,000 people to find out the true cost of learning to drive – and the amount spent is enough to buy a small run around.

How the costs mount up

Provisional driving licence = £38

Average lesson - £22 x 42 = £924

Combined theory and hazard perception test = £21

Two hour booking with instructor on test day x 2 tests = £88

Driving test - £45.50 x 2 = £91

Total cost of learning to drive = £1,162

But learners who take a long time to pass will save cash in the long run – because they are less likely to have a smash.

First time passers often reckon they are the best drivers on the road but the insurer’s research shows that first time passers have had 20 per cent more accidents in the past five years compared to second timers.

Frances Browning, spokesperson for Churchill Car Insurance said: “This survey clearly shows the steep cost of learning to drive. Learner drivers face financial pressure to pass their test first time and with as few lessons as possible. But, as our findings show, that doesn’t necessarily help with their future driving ability.”

Men and women are both just as sure they are the best drivers on the road.

Just 48 per cent of females insist they are the safest gender behind the wheel compared to 53 per cent of men who think blokes rule.

However, 34 per cent of men will have passed their test in under three months compared to 20 per cent of women. And almost nine per cent of women will take between 18 months and three years to pass compared to just two per cent of men.

Both males and female drivers agree that learner drivers annoy other motorists most with their unpredictability on the road. Other things learners do to cause frustration include lack of confidence, sudden stops or driving too slowly.

“Fully-fledged drivers can often be impatient of learner drivers, yet our research shows one in ten drivers actually believe that learners are the best drivers as they haven’t had time to develop bad habits yet.  Learner drivers don’t always have the confidence that full-licence holders have, so it’s important to give them sufficient space on the road and not to intimidate them.” said Browning.

*935,515 people applied for a provisional licence in 2005 according to DVLA

**Research commissioned by Churchill Car Insurance among 1,969 drivers during March 06.

For more information please contact:

Frances Browning
Churchill Insurance
020 8313 5965
pressoffice@churchill.com