The South West ranks as the second most expensive region in the UK for driving lessons

For many young people, learning to drive is becoming an increasingly expensive milestone.

The research, commissioned by Monzo and conducted by Censuswide, surveyed 1,000 newly qualified drivers and found that learners across the UK spend an average of £1,218 on driving lessons. Combined with the average cost of a first car (£4,867), many young drivers are spending more than £6,000 before they've even considered ongoing costs such as insurance, fuel and maintenance.

With test slots still in high demand[1], respondents also spend an average of £64 on top of the standard booking fee, simply to secure a suitable test date.

Monzo also analysed insights from more than 368,000 of its users to understand the journey to car ownership. The data found that saving for a car purchase was associated with improved money management, with people saving for a car being 14% more consistent with their spending.

South West among the UK's priciest places to learn to drive

Driving lessons are one of the highest upfront costs of learning to drive, and young people in the South West are paying some of the highest prices in the country.

The five regions where drivers spend the most on driving lessons were:

1. East of England: £1,352
2. South West: £1,290
3. North East: £1,258
4. Greater London: £1,250
5. South East: £1,244

With 85% of learners paying for professional driving lessons, tuition remains one of the largest expenses before drivers even think about buying a car.

At least two-thirds of learners pay extra to secure a test date

Beyond the costs of driving lessons, learners are finding increasingly creative ways to cope with the ongoing backlog of driving tests[2], which causes long waiting times. Many are using apps and technology to help them get on the road sooner.

On top of the standard test booking fee of £62[2], learner drivers surveyed said they spent an additional £64 on average just to secure a suitable test slot. To improve their chances of booking an earlier appointment:

• 📱65% downloaded a test cancellation app

• 💸49% paid a service to secure an earlier test slot

• 🤖43% used an AI test booking bot

Half of learners don’t pass the first time

Once they've secured a test slot, learners have to be persistent to secure that pink license: Over 50% take more than one attempt to pass the practical driving exam. 

Across the UK, learners in the North West are the most likely to pass their test first time, while drivers in Scotland are the most likely to need more than one attempt. In Northern Ireland, around one in three drivers takes three or more tries.

The most expensive first car in the UK

Location makes a big difference to the cost of the vehicle itself, with learners in Scotland spending over £6,000 on their first car, which is more than £2,000 higher than those in the East of England who spend an average of £3,792.

These were the five regions where young drivers spent the most on their first car:

1. Scotland: £6,040

2. Greater London: £5,586

3. North East: £5,479

4. Wales: £5,081

5. East Midlands: £5,058

While six in ten young people have yet to buy their first car due to the cost, 87% believe the expense is worth it for the freedom and independence it brings, showing that the majority view it as a milestone worth saving towards.

39% of new drivers relied on family help to pay for their first car, while 58% used personal savings. According to Monzo's customer data, people actively budgeting for a car through a dedicated Savings Pot typically build up a balance of £600 over about four months. The top 25% of savers had accumulated more than £1,650. 

The first car starter pack

Most new drivers opt for neutral colours like black, white, grey or silver, although drivers in the South West stand out with a preference for blue. The most popular brands for first cars are Ford, Volkswagen and Vauxhall. 

But while first cars may look similar across the UK, pet names for cars are where people get creative: 30% of people choose one for their new motor, and the most popular names are:

1. Betty

2. Fifi

3. Polly 

4. Ghost 

5. Cherry

Chris Mucklow-Norell, Head of Brand Marketing at Monzo, said: “For many young people, getting on the road is becoming a major financial hurdle. With the upfront cost of learning to drive and buying a first car now pushing beyond £6,000, it’s no surprise that many are delaying buying their first car altogether.

“But while those rising costs can make car ownership feel out of reach, we also found that saving towards a car can help build lasting financial discipline. Opening a young person’s bank account can also help teens take control of their money and build good habits early on.”

Monzo’s top tips for saving for a first car: Decide what to save for. Work out how much is needed for a first car and set a realistic savings target. Having a clear goal can make it easier to stay motivated. Don’t forget the extras. Buying a car is just the start. Insurance, fuel and maintenance all add up, so consider keeping money aside for these costs too. Monzo customers can use separate Pots for different savings goals. Build good money habits early. Saving for a first car can help build financial discipline and confidence with money. Monzo’s current account for 16-17-year-olds can help young people manage their money and save towards important goals. Boost savings where possible. Money from birthdays, part-time jobs or selling unwanted items can be a handy way to top up a car fund.

Visit monzo.com/blog/first-car-report to find out more