Skip advert
Advertisement

Record numbers of learners applying for provisional licences

Eight million drivers applied for their provisional licences in the last five years, new research shows

Long-term test - Suzuki Ignis - learner sticker

A record high eight million aspiring drivers applied for a learners licence in the last five years, new figures reveal. 

The last five years have seen over a million provisional licence applications made each year, with over eight million learner licences handed out in the last five years. This is up eight per cent from 2012.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best first cars for new drivers

This translates to an extra 6,330 drivers looking to hit the road every month, compared to five years ago. The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by Collingwood Insurance Services, found 17-24 year olds as the most common holders of provisional licences. 

However, according to the findings, a growing number of 48 to 50 year olds are now looking to obtain their full driver’s licence. The oldest provisional licence holder is a 103-year-old lady, while the oldest full licence holder is 106 years old, according to the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency stats.

Top tips for learner drivers on motorways

Paul Vickers, online marketing manager at Collingwood Insurance Services said: “Driving has become an increasingly important life-skill both for our personal and professional lives. Currently, 36 per cent of UK workers still drive to work and a significant proportion of students who drive take their car to university with them, so learning to drive has never been more important to learners of all ages and the findings reflect that.”

Are the UK's roads becoming overcrowded? Let us know your thoughts below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025