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Learning to drive costs youngsters billions

Learner drivers in Great Britain splash out over £1billion a year attempting to pass their tests, a recent study by a motor insurance firm has revealed.

According to data released by Churchill Car Insurance, today's average learner needs 42 lessons before they can rip up their L-plates. And with each lesson costing about £22, that means a staggeringly extortionate £924 is needed to fund the whole learning process.

If that's not enough, the cost of theory and practical tests- which most people don't pass first time- can push the figure up to a mind-boggling £1,162.

Over 900,000 Brits apply for a provisional driving licence annually, meaning the learner driver industry rakes in up to £1,087 billion every year.

Conducting the research, Churchill Car Insurance discovered that learners who take longer to pass their test actually save money in the long run. This is because those that were lucky enough to pass first time were involved in 20% more accidents in the past five years than second-timers.

A spokesperson for Churchill Car Insurance said, "Learner drivers face financial pressures 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."

In addition to the hefty cost of learning to drive, youngsters also face the potentially bank-busting prospect of buying young driver car insurance. Most firms charge a high price, but money can be saved by going online and dealing with a firm that deal specifically with young driver car insurance, thus offering a significant discount.