The Cost of Learning to Drive in the UK in 2026: Is It Worth It?
Written by
Cara Bradley
9 min read
Updated: 17/02/2026
In 2024, it was revealed that just a third of 17-25-year-olds in the UK held a driving licence and were actively driving. The top three most common reasons that young people gave for not learning to drive were:
- The cost of lessons
- The cost of buying a car
- The cost of insurance.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, it’s hardly surprising that people are being forced to make strategic financial decisions to make their money go further. In the UK, the average cost of running a car in 2026 is £3,484 per year. Broken down into equal parts, this works out at around £290 a month – an expense that many simply can’t afford.
Whether holding a licence is a condition of your dream job, the area you live in is poorly serviced by public transport, or you need a car to get the kids to school and yourself to the office, driving and having access to a car are essential.
But is driving a necessary cost for everyone?
Just how much will learning to drive and car ownership cost you?
Is getting on the road really worth it?
Viva Money investigates.
Growing up in a car-free household: “I never saw it as a restriction; it was an adventure.”
I grew up in a household that had limited access to a car. My Mum doesn’t drive, and so from a young age, I thought absolutely nothing of navigating public transport and walking long distances to reach our destinations. Yes, journeys might have taken longer, and days out may have needed a little more planning, but I never saw it as a restriction; it was an adventure. More than that, it was second-nature.
My Mum fondly recalls taking one of my friends and me on the bus when we were around 10 years old. This friend had never been on a bus before, and she marvelled at the experience, asking endless questions: ‘Why does the bus keep stopping?’ and ‘What does this bell do?’.
The majority of my friends were itching to get behind the wheel as soon as they turned 17. I was in no rush. I thought driving might be something I’d do one day, but it didn’t feel like an urgent necessity. I had access to good public transport links, Uber was just a click away, and I had a set of legs – learning to drive was low down on my list of priorities, and that mindset continued for the next 10 years.
“My decision not to drive could be negatively impacting my life; specifically, my career options.”
It was only when I started browsing the job market in my late-20s that I started to wonder whether my decision not to drive could, in fact, be negatively impacting my life, specifically, my career options. Several of the jobs I liked the look of were simply not accessible via public transport.
After much deliberation, I decided that learning to drive could be an important step to take if I were to get serious about broadening my career prospects.
“It wasn’t so much the lack of availability that shocked me – it was the cost.”
I set about emailing various driving instructors in my local area to enquire about lessons.
Perhaps naively, I thought it would be as simple as that: I’d find an instructor, no problem, and would be able to start learning to drive within weeks.
I must have emailed over 25 different instructors, to no avail. Some apologised for their full waiting lists and suggested that I get back in touch in 12 months. Many simply didn’t reply at all.
However, it wasn’t so much the lack of availability that shocked me – it was the cost.
What is the average cost of driving lessons in the UK in 2026?
The average cost of driving lessons in the UK in 2026 is estimated to be between £30 and £40 per hour. It’s important to bear in mind that this is just the average; prices will vary depending on various factors, such as the area you live in and the instructor you choose.
Some instructors may offer money-saving opportunities if you book a certain number of lessons upfront, for example, 15 lessons for the price of 14. When seeking a driving instructor, it’s well worth shopping around to compare prices.
Don’t forget to also check out the instructor/ company’s reviews. Pay particular attention to mentions of important things like reliability and driving test pass successes.
Can I check a driving instructor’s pass rate?
While some instructors may advertise their pass rate on their website, it is not a legal obligation for instructors to share this, and there is no specific database where this information is available.
It’s not just the cost of lessons…
It’s not just the cost of lessons that could be acting as a financial barrier; you’ve also got to factor in the expense of the theory and practical tests - and that’s before you’ve even thought about buying your first car and insuring it…
The combination of these rising costs can make driving feel more like a luxury than a practicality.
How much does it cost to apply for a provisional driving licence?
In order to begin driving lessons with either family and friends or a professional instructor, you must hold a provisional driving licence. Applying for a provisional driving licence online costs £34.
How many hours of driving do you need to take your test?
The average number of hours needed to take a driving test is between 40 and 50; however, again, it’s crucial to remember that this is the average. Some drivers will need less, some more – and there’s no shame in this. Some people are faster learners, others are more anxious, and there is no right or wrong number of hours of driving lessons needed to attempt your driving test. It’s really down to when you and your instructor feel confident in your ability.
Back to costing. Let’s say your driving lessons cost £35 per hour, and you take 45 one-hour lessons before you attempt your driving test. For illustrative purposes, let's assume you weren’t given any discounts. On this basis, you would be looking at a total cost of £1,575 for driving lessons alone.
How much does a driving theory test cost in the UK in 2026?
As of 2026, it costs £23 to sit your theory test to drive a car in the UK.
How much does it cost to take your driving test in the UK in 2026?
Taking your practical driving test on a weekday in the UK will cost you £62. This rises to £75 if you choose to take your test on an evening, weekend, or Bank Holiday.
If I fail my driving test, do I need to pay to take it again?
Failed your first driving test? Don’t worry, it’s common! In fact, data released in 2025 revealed that less than half of new UK drivers passed their driving test in one attempt.
The downside to failing your driving test is that you will be required to shell out the full amount if you want to resit. This applies to any number of further tests you book.
The cost of learning to drive in the UK in 2026
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Provisional licence | £34 |
| 45 hours of driving lessons | £1,575
(based on lessons costing £35 per hour, which sits in the middle of the UK average between £30 and £40 per hour.) |
| Theory test | £23 |
| Driving test | £62 (assumed weekday test; please note that evening, weekend, and Bank Holiday tests will cost £75) |
| TOTAL AVERAGE COST = | £1,694 |
Conclusion: Is learning to drive worth it?
Only you can answer this question.
It all boils down to your personal circumstances.
Asking yourself the following questions could help you decide whether learning to drive is worth it for you.
- Why am I thinking about learning to drive? Is it because I feel it’s the ‘done thing’, or do I genuinely want to learn?
- If I’m on the fence about learning to drive, have I considered if and how a car could enhance my life?
- What sort of job(s) would I like to have? Some roles, such as an estate agent, typically require a valid driving licence as part of the job conditions.
- What would I use my car for?
- Can I afford to pay for lessons, as well as a theory and practical test?
- Can I afford monthly car-related expenses?
- Have I considered how I would pay for any emergency car-related costs that could crop up, such as a failed MOT?
- How does my current average monthly public transport/ taxi expenditure compare to the average monthly cost of owning a car?
My personal conclusion: Traffic jams, insurance, and MOT
Personally? After my setback when searching for a driving instructor with a) availability, and b) affordable prices, I decided to throw in the towel and abandon the idea of getting on the road. I don’t regret it.
Despite my initial concerns regarding my career options, soon after I put feelers out for a driving instructor, I was actually offered my dream job (this job!), which I can commute to easily using public transport.
Admittedly, when the trains are delayed in the middle of winter, I do sometimes think how much easier my life would be with a car, but the grass isn’t always greener; there would be other challenges to consider, such as traffic jams, and associated car-owning costs such as insurance and MOT.
While hopping in a car and being able to travel to X, Y, Z with relative ease could be considered a more desirable option for many, I actually like using public transport. Rather than sitting behind the wheel of a car for an hour during my commute, I feel I am able to maximise my free time on the train, as I can relax with a good book or catch up with some writing, things I wouldn’t be able to do while driving.
The good news is that there’s no time stamp on learning to drive. You don’t have to jump on the bandwagon as soon as you turn 17 just because it’s something all your friends are doing; you have your whole life to decide whether you’d like to learn.
Enjoy the journey, whether that’s by car, train, or on your own two feet.
Are you worried about money?
If so, please know that free, confidential financial advice is available through the following charities and organisations: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.
