As the compulsory driving test celebrates its 75th birthday, UK learners are facing bills of more than £1,200 to become qualified drivers, according to insurance broker, Swinton.

The research, commissioned by Swinton, revealed that the average learner driver needed 45 hours of lessons as well as 22 hours of private driving practice. With current figures revealing that over 900,000 people apply for a provisional licence each year, the total annual cost of learning to drive is setting UK motorists back a staggering $1.1 billion each year.

Since the compulsory driving test was launched, new methods of examination have been brought in to ensure stronger road safety standards. The pass rate in 1935 was 63% but this has now fallen to 43%.

Steve Chelton, insurer development manager for Swinton car insurance, said: “Since the driving test was introduced 75 years ago, the cost has increased by over 250%, from 37.5p to over £90.

“Despite the high costs associated with learning to drive it’s still really important for new drivers as they represent a higher than normal percentage of road traffic accidents.
He added: “Since the compulsory driving test was introduced in 1935 the number of people killed on the roads has more than halved and the numbers continue to fall.

“New drivers are much more likely to have an accident in their first year of qualified driving; therefore, the driving test is paramount for improving road safety and also for reducing the cost of car insurance.”