Impact of Rising Fuel Costs on Driving Lessons
If you are currently learning to drive, you may have noticed that the cost of lessons has increased significantly, and securing a practical driving test appointment can feel like a lengthy process. However, recent developments suggest the situation might worsen.
Since the onset of the conflict in Iran, fuel prices at petrol stations have surged. Organizations representing driving instructors have warned that further disruptions could lead to additional increases in lesson fees and exacerbate difficulties in booking driving tests.
beat consulted with driving instructors, learners, and officials to assess the potential impact on new drivers.
Rachael Hutson-Lumb, a driving instructor with four years of experience, shared her perspective.
"I've been keeping an eye on fuel prices and have had to raise lesson prices by 50p to £37.50 per hour."
"My prices are going up a bit, not a lot, because I appreciate lessons are already not cheap for learners.
"I don't want to put prices up but at the end of the day, if it's a cost that's increasing, it's going to have to be reflected.
"Changes are going to have to be made just because that's my income stream," she says.
According to the motoring organization RAC, UK petrol and diesel prices experienced the largest single-month increase ever recorded, primarily due to the war, although the government has stated that fuel supplies remain "resilient."
The Driving Instructors Association (DIA), the largest UK body representing the profession, noted that passing on increased costs to learners "will be a consideration for trainers."
Rachael, aged 26, mentioned that most of her learners have accepted the current prices.
"They were coming to me and asking me: 'Oh, fuel's really expensive, are the prices going to go up?' They're so aware of it," she says.
"And they also understand that when they go on to pass, it's going to be something that's going to impact them as well."
'It's My Income Stream'
Catherine Thoyts, a 26-year-old learner from Bristol, has been learning to drive since November and expressed concerns about the affordability of lessons if prices rise further.
She works in a care home and allocates a significant portion of her income to driving lessons, with her instructor charging £80 for a two-hour session.
"Higher prices would definitely make it harder for me, because as a carer, I only make so much a month. It's not a huge amount," she says.
Although her instructor has not yet increased prices due to fuel costs, Catherine highlighted the challenges faced by many young people amid a jobs crisis, noting that the current prices are already a substantial financial burden.
With a driving test scheduled for July and aiming to pass on the first attempt, she added that while higher fuel prices would not deter her from purchasing a car, they would influence how she uses it.
"I would use it for more essential travel than long journeys.
"I wouldn't drive to my friends in the north of England if it's going to cost a whole tank of petrol," she says.
Another concern raised by the DIA and the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council (ADINJC) is the possibility of fuel rationing.
Several countries worldwide have implemented measures to reduce fuel consumption, such as promoting remote work or encouraging public transport use, while advising against panic buying.
For example, Slovenia, a member of the European Union, has introduced fuel rationing to limit the amount customers can purchase, as drivers from neighboring countries were traveling there to benefit from lower prices.
However, only a few countries have adopted such measures.
The UK petrol industry has stated there is no fuel supply shortage in the UK and advised consumers to continue purchasing fuel as usual when needed.
Both the DIA and ADINJC have written to the UK government requesting that driving trainers and examiners receive "priority access to fuel" should rationing be implemented in Britain.
The UK government and Fuels Industry UK have described the nation's fuel supplies as "resilient," affirming that petrol stations remain well stocked with petrol and diesel.
Rachael, who teaches in Shropshire, emphasized the potential consequences of fuel rationing.
"If there were any plans to ration fuel, it would be a massive problem," she said, "and not only for my business.
"I think it's impacting everyone.
"If we can't get fuel, no one's going to be able to work and that's going to be a problem."
beat has sought comments from authorities in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland stated,
"The availability of driving tests is a reserved matter for the UK Government and is the responsibility of the DVSA.
"We are in touch with our counterparts in DVSA on a regular basis to understand and to press on what more can be done to alleviate the long wait times for driving tests that too many across Scotland are experiencing."
Additional reporting by Srosh Khan
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