01/07/2026
70% say learning to drive is unaffordable. But is that the full story?
A new survey says 70% of adults without a licence believe learning to drive is currently unaffordable.
Among 18 to 29 year olds, that figure rises to 76%.
It also found:
🚗 38% said lesson prices were the biggest deterrent
🚗 32% said buying a car was the main barrier
🚗 15% said insurance costs put them off
🚗 45% said they would consider learning if it became significantly cheaper
Those figures matter.
The cost of living is real.
Wages are stretched.
Many people are genuinely struggling.
But there is another side to this conversation.
People will often spend £1,000 on tattoos, £250 on trainers, hundreds on phones, nights out, subscriptions, holidays, takeaways and things that lose value the moment they are bought.
Yet when it comes to learning a life skill that can open job opportunities, independence, family support, commuting freedom and confidence, suddenly it is seen as “too expensive.”
Going to university is also expensive, yet many people view it as an investment in their future. There are government loans available to help because education is recognised as something that can improve opportunities. Learning to drive may not come with the same financial support, but for many people it is just as much an investment in their future, opening doors to employment, especially in areas with limited public transport. Speak to anyone who works in HR and they’ll often tell you that having a driving licence can make applicants far more employable for a wide range of roles.
Learning to drive is not buying a product.
It is investing in yourself.
You are paying for:
🚗 A qualified instructor’s time and expertise
🚗 Fuel costs
🚗 Insurance
🚗 Vehicle maintenance
🚗 Tyres, servicing and repairs
🚗 Tax and running costs
🚗 Years of experience keeping people safe
🚗 The responsibility of teaching you properly
🚗 A professionally produced progress logbook for every pupil, recording grades, topics covered and ongoing development
🚗 Teaching materials, visual aids and resources that support your learning
Many assume they are paying for someone to sit beside them for an hour.
They are paying for knowledge, judgement, safety and guidance that may protect them for the rest of their life.
Could lessons be cheaper?
Everyone would welcome that.
But many people do not have a cost problem.
They have a priority problem.
The same money often exists.
It is simply spent elsewhere first.
Driving is not compulsory.
But if you want the freedom, convenience and opportunities it can bring, it should be viewed as an investment, not just another bill.
What do you think? 🤔
Is learning to drive genuinely unaffordable now, or have priorities changed?
✍️ Sheena Ahmed
Motorvation School of Motoring
