No matter how old we get, the familiar hum of the family car and the comfort of being chauffeured around by mum or dad remains a strong thread in the lives of many UK adults.

New research from Pentagon reveals just how much British parents still play the role of unofficial taxi drivers — and how this dynamic continues long after their children reach adulthood.

Ease, familiarity and, of course, cost are the key drivers.

Parental influence

According to the study, over half (52%) of adults say it was their father who drove them to most places during their childhood, while just a quarter (25%) said it was their mother.

This suggests dads are clocking up twice the miles behind the wheel for their kids compared to mums.

Interestingly, 2% of respondents named their grandad as their primary childhood chauffeur and 1% pointed to their grandmother.

Another 19% said neither parent drove them most — instead, a different guardian, relative, or family friend filled the role.

And while you’d expect this dynamic to taper off with age, it doesn’t disappear as quickly as you might think.

Becoming an adult

Pentagon’s survey found that the average age at which UK adults said their parents stopped regularly giving them lifts was 18 years and 4 months — just over a year after the legal driving age of 17.

In some regions, the age varies significantly: people in the North East stop relying on their parents the earliest (at just 17 years and 1 month), while those in the West Midlands continue the longest, until around 19 years and 3 months.

Yet for many, the family taxi service hasn’t ended at all. Around 7% of UK adults still rely on their parents as their main form of transport — a figure that jumps to 12% in Scotland.

Even more surprising, 13% of people aged 25–34 and 10% of those aged 35–44 admitted that their parents are still their primary lift providers.

But why are so many adults continuing to rely on mum and dad?

Investing in driving

The cost of learning to drive is a significant barrier.

More than two-fifths (44%) of non-drivers surveyed said buying a car was simply too expensive.

A further 36% blamed the high cost of driving lessons, and 33% cited expensive insurance premiums.

With the average cost of driving lessons now estimated at £35–40 per hour, and most learners needing 40–50 hours of tuition, the financial burden quickly adds up.

The legal age to drive in the UK is 17, and learners can apply for a provisional licence from 15 years and 9 months old.

While it’s common to take lessons with a professional instructor, learners can also be taught by a parent or guardian, provided the supervising driver is over 21, has held a full driving licence for at least three years, and is qualified to drive the same type of vehicle.

Cost of learning

As of 2025, the average total cost of learning to drive, passing the test, and getting your first car on the road in the UK can be between £3,500 and £6,000, depending on choices like the type of car you buy, your age, and where you live.

  • Provisional licence: £34 (online)
  • Theory test: £23
  • Driving lessons: £35–£40 per hour
    • Average 45 hours of lessons = £1,575–£1,800
  • Practical driving test: £62 (weekday), £75 (weekend)
  • Private practice (optional): £100–£300 (fuel, insurance as learner)
  • Total:  £1,800–£2,200
  • Used car: £2,000–£4,000 (a modest, reliable first car)
  • Car insurance (age 17–24): £1,200–£2,000/year (can vary a lot based on location, type of car, telematics box, etc.)
  • Vehicle tax: £0–£200 (depending on CO₂ emissions)
  • MOT and servicing (if not brand new): £100–£300
  • Fuel (first full tank): ~£60–£90
  • Total: £3,400–£6,000

Grand Total: £3,500 – £6,000+

Behind the wheels

Many young people opt to delay driving altogether.

One in eight (12%) said they don’t drive simply because friends or family give them lifts — another nod to the enduring service of the “mum and dad taxi.”

With financial challenges and shifting priorities impacting when — or even if — young people learn to drive, it seems the family taxi is here to stay.

Whether it’s lifts to football practice, a late-night pick-up from the station, or the weekly run to the supermarket, mum and dad continue to steer their children — quite literally — well into adulthood.