New drivers face 19% cost hike
A new report has revealed that the cost for new drivers to get on the road has jumped by 19% in a year to £7,100.
The report, compiled by Go.Compare Car Insurance, considered driving lessons, the price of the car, as well as tax and insurance.
It found that the increase has been driven by an average 15% rise in first car purchases, from £2,780 to £3,100, as well as a 23% hike in car insurance for drivers aged between 17 and 21.
The report, which surveyed 1,000 parents of young drivers as well as 1,000 new drivers aged between 17-25, also found that 37% found driving lessons costs were higher than expected and 34% were surprised by high insurance premiums.
New drivers
Tom Banks, car spokesperson for Go.Compare, said: “No one will be happy to see the increase in these costs – after a brief hiatus in 2023 where it seemed like they were coming down, costs have jumped by 19% in the past year, making the average cost of getting on the road a significant figure at over £7,000. So, it’s no surprise that 14% of those who took part in the research said that the cost-of-living crisis has been a barrier to getting on the road.
“The report also shows that the costs associated with getting road-ready have gone up across the board, including driving lessons, how much people are spending on their first car, and the cost of car insurance.”
