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.”
