One in three parents step in to teach their children to drive

New research from Go.Compare Car Insurance reveals that over a third of parents (35%) are helping to teach their children to drive* - a move that could save families hundreds of pounds as the cost of lessons and long test waiting times put pressure on household budgets.

The survey of 1000* UK parents of drivers aged 17–25 found that:

• 90% of young drivers had lessons with a driving school
• 35% were taught by a parent or guardian
• 6% learnt with another relative
• 5% were taught by a friend 

According to the DVSA, learners typically need around 45 hours of professional lessons and 22 hours of private practice before passing their test.** With lessons costing around £35 an hour, families can face bills of more than £1,500 for tuition alone. 

By taking on some of those practice hours themselves, parents could potentially reduce the number of professional lessons their child needs.

And with DVSA test waiting times stretching to five months or more in parts of the UK, parental practice is also helping young drivers maintain momentum while they wait for a slot.***

Tom Banks, expert at Go.Compare Car insurance, said: “Learning to drive has become a real financial stretch, as our recent ‘cost of getting on the road’ report shows and many families are stepping in to help keep the costs down. Parents can make a huge difference by supplementing professional lessons, but it’s vital these practice sessions are safe, legal and properly insured.

“Combining driving school lessons with parental support is the best of both worlds - it saves money, builds confidence, and helps learners develop into safer drivers. Just remember, the right insurance cover is vital before you hand over the keys.”

Go.Compare has put together their top tips for teaching their children to drive: 

• Use L-plates and mirrors: always display L-plates clearly at the front and back of the car, and check the vehicle is road-legal with working lights, mirrors and brakes before setting off.
• Start simple: begin in quiet car parks or residential streets where traffic is minimal, giving learners the chance to master basic control skills before moving onto busier roads.  
• Stay patient and calm: Learners are bound to make mistakes. Offering supportive, constructive feedback will help them build confidence more quickly than criticism. 
• Mix practice with lessons: approved driving instructors provide structured lessons on manoeuvres, motorway driving and test preparation. Parental practice should reinforce, not replace, this training.  
• Sort the right insurance – it’s a legal requirement that learners must be properly covered. This can be through a specialist learner driver policy or by being added as a named driver to a parent’s policy. 

For more information on car insurance for learner drivers visit:
https://www.gocompare.com/car-insurance/learner-driver-insurance/