Learner drivers across the UK are losing money as the ongoing driving test backlog mounts.

Some are paying over £600 on extra lessons while they wait for a test.

Strapped in

Marmalade has surveyed over 1,000 learner drivers. The results show that, on average, learner drivers are buying eight extra lessons that aren’t needed.

At the 2021 average of £31.15 per lesson, that’s an added expense of £249.20 for UK learners across the board. Almost a third (32%) of learners estimate they’ll take an extra 10 – 19 lessons, which could cost between £311.50 and £591.85.

Around one in ten (8%) say they’ll need more than 20 to continue learning while they wait for a test. This could cost them upwards of £623.

Big bills

Researchers estimate that UK learners have spent at least £289,072,000 extra on additional lessons. The cost of Covid and the lockdowns is having plenty of unplanned and unexpected consequences.

The estimate is based on the total backlog. This as calculated on the 1,160,000 learners in March this year following the lift on driving lessons ban. The backlog has continued building since then, and the number could now be much higher.

Crispin Moger, CEO at Marmalade, says: “The pandemic has had an adverse impact on learner drivers. Many are young people who have also been impacted far beyond this. Our latest research shows how the aftermath of the pandemic continues to disrupt finances for learners and their families.

He states that “test ready learners can’t secure a test slot”. This can mean “extra lessons, more insurance and in some cases a retake of an expired theory test”.

Mounting concerns

The survey found 77% of learners cite the additional cost of lessons as the biggest frustration of the backlog. The need to rely on family and friends to drive (71%) came a close second.

The data shows learners in the South East of England and London face the longest waits. Here there is an average wait time of 4.4 months, with learners in London faring marginally better at 4 months.

Those in Scotland face the shortest wait of just over two and a half months (2.6). In the East Midlands it is 2.8 months – less than the current UK average wait of 3.6 months.

Frustration

Learner driver, Jennifer Madrell who is 26, from High Pittington in Durham said she has spent upwards of £4,600 learning to drive – almost four times more than the average cost. The pandemic has caused multiple test cancellations and the backlog has played a key role in driving up expenses, with Jennifer paying for around 55 extra lessons despite being test ready:

““I’m devastated about how things have panned out, the costs have really started to mount up and I’ve had to sacrifice a lot of the things I enjoy doing, like going out to see friends. Anything that hasn’t been a necessity I’ve had to cut back on which really hasn’t been easy.

“There have been a number of times when I’ve just thought screw it, but then I remember all of the hard work I’ve put in so far. I just can’t let it go to waste. Being able to drive will give me so much more freedom and will definitely help me to find a job.

“The last few weeks have definitely been the hardest for me. I’m really struggling to find a new diving instructor because they’re all fully booked and the waiting lists are four months long. It’s a really difficult position to be in but I’m just trying to remain positive.”