‘It’s wild’: how the cost of learning to drive in the UK is accelerating

From rising prices for lessons to insurance cover, we break down the hefty charges learners now face

Learning to drive – and the sense of freedom and independence that comes with it – is a milestone many look forward to. But for today’s learners, the journey to getting on the road is proving longer, more uncertain and more expensive than ever.

What was once a fairly straightforward process, from lessons and the theory test to the practical exam, now involves record waiting times, rising costs and having to compete with automated software bots to secure a test slot.