DVLA reveals fewer young people learning to drive

According to data revealed through a request via the Freedom of Information Act, it has been found that the number of young people applying for provisional driving licenses has dropped when compared to figures from seven year ago.

The DVLA published statistics earlier this month showing that provisional driving license applications among 15 to 24-year-olds peaked in 2007 at 788,246. 2013 figures, however, show that this figure has dropped by 100,000 to just 698,358.

This year, 628,263 people between 15 and 24 have already applied for a provisional licence, making it unlikely that there the 2013 figure will be exceeded.

According to rules set out by the DVLA it is possible to apply for a provisional at the age of 15 years and 9 months, but it is not permitted to drive a moped until 16, while driving a car is illegal unless 17 or over.

The figures would suggest that the economic downturn has played a significant role in the number of young adults choosing to take up provisional licences – particularly when it is considered that the recession of the past few years has done nothing to prevent a steady increase in running costs such as insurance premiums and fuel prices.

An AA spokesperson told Motoring Research:

‘It is fair to say we have noticed a widening in the age range of people coming to us for lessons over the last few years, although learning to drive and taking the test at 17 is still the most popular age to do so.

‘There are a number of reasons why people may wait before learning now, often it is because they wait until after finishing school or university, or until they need to drive for work.

‘The recession also had an impact on the number of people learning to drive so, as we are now seeing an increase in demand for lessons again, there may be some people within that who delayed learning a year or so ago for financial reasons who now want to learn.’

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