Young people ‘priced off the road’ as number of passing driving test declines

The price of studying to drive is the largest reason why the number of young people passing the test is dropping, official numbers reveal.

Just 29% of individuals aged 17 to 20 have a full licence as opposed to 35% a ten years ago, according to Department for Transport (DfT) information for England.

The study showed that almost half (44%) of those not wanting to get on the street say the cost of getting to drive is one of the reasons.

This is reflected by the price of insurance (31%) and purchasing a car (28%), with almost a quarter (24%) saying friends and relatives can drive them when needed.

Less than one in five (19%) say they do not like driving.

Director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, Steve Gooding, stated: “For all the speculation that we are seeing a seismic shift in lifestyle choice by young people, these figures reveal a more basic, economic reality – many are simply being priced off the road.

“Almost 95% of those aged 17 to 20 currently without a licence say they’d get one if they could.

“It’s easy to understand why: Many jobs require people to be able to drive and outside of the big cities independence comes from having a vehicle.

“This is something the Chancellor would do well to remember when he comes back to motoring taxes in the autumn.”