Learning to drive in the UK used to be a rite of passage. Now it feels like a luxury

Fewer young people are choosing to drive due to the cost. Photo: AntonioDiaz/Adobe Stock

Being handed your first pair of car keys should be a milestone that every young person gets to achieve. However, changing policy is making it more of an unaffordable luxury rather than a rite of passage.

Earlier this year, the government announced new proposals which could force learners to wait a minimum of six months after taking their theory test to sit their practical test. Additionally, drivers over 70 might have to take an eye test every three years, and the drink drive limit could be reduced from 80mg per 100ml blood to 20mg. 

The hope is that these policy changes would improve road safety in England and Wales, which is important as young people accounted for 22% of road casualties in the UK in 2025. But could it be another deterrent adding to the financial pressures that young people are facing?

The average cost of learning to drive in the UK was £2460 in 2025, with insurance premiums skyrocketing. This figure is expected to rise by 200% to £7600 by 2045. Consequently, new learners have to find a job (which is near impossible in itself) to fund these costs. These unprecedented expenses are insurmountable barriers for 41% of young people who surveyed not learning to drive due to the cost. 

That being said, Gen Z are an environmentally conscious generation and for many, alternative transport is more appealing than a car. The rise of Ubers, e-scooters, and increased public transport in many cities are negating the need to have a license. What is more, in larger cities, the cost of parking (or even finding a space) means it's easier to just walk or cycle. 

Learning to drive is already stressful for many young people - these new rules might add to the stress for some, but for others, the reassurance of increased safety on the roads might just settle any butterflies.