Learner drivers may journey a staggering 25 miles for a driving take a look at by 2030, in line with new information, as take a look at centre locality and out there take a look at slots dwindle.
That’s in line with a brand new report by learner driver insurance coverage dealer, Marmalade, which has revealed the size of how far learners are travelling for a driving take a look at.
By means of a number of Freedom of Info requests (FOI) over a six month interval and an evaluation of greater than six million data between 2019 and 2023, the info has revealed a bleak actuality for learners.
For the latest full yr – 2023 – Marmalade discovered the typical distance travelled throughout the UK by learners for a take a look at was 12.33 miles, a 48% improve on the space travelled in 2019 (8.33 miles).
The info revealed that distances throughout the UK are growing on common by 10.30% per yr. If this fee of development continues, by 2030, learners may journey round 25 miles for a take a look at (24.49). That’s a 194% improve on the space travelled in 2019.
The total information for the UK between 2019 and 2030 will be discovered right here.
The analysis additionally reveals stark regional variations within the distance candidates are travelling for checks.
In 2023 learners within the South East of the UK travelled additional than anybody else, a mean of 13.9 miles, whereas these within the North West have been solely having to journey a mean of seven.1 miles.
In truth, there have been 164 take a look at centres throughout the UK in 2023 the place the typical distance travelled to succeed in them was above the nationwide common.
London leads the way in which by way of distance rising, with mileage growing from 7.7 miles in 2019 to 17.7 miles in 2023 – a 130.77% improve, rising on common by 23.25% annually.
The report reveals comparable year-on-year development within the South East (21.2%) and the East of England (12.95%), indicating that learners in these three areas are progressively fighting the affect and strain to get a driving take a look at.
Commenting on the info, driving teacher Mark Steeples from Cross Mark College of Driving mentioned:
“I discover it fairly astonishing that learners may find yourself having to journey round 25 miles for a take a look at. I’m amazed on the year-on-year improve in distance travelled for a take a look at, however I suppose it reveals the desperation that individuals have in desirous to learn to drive they usually’ll go to any means essential to do it.”
Bucking the pattern, Marmalade discovered learners travelling to the Heckmondwike take a look at centre in Kirklees, West Yorkshire are making the shortest journey within the UK, with a mean distance of three.82 miles travelled.
The 2023 data additionally revealed that one learner travelled from Exeter, all the way in which to Shetland, a watch watering 647 mile journey for a take a look at. Whereas 34,614 learners made a visit of greater than 100 miles for a take a look at.
Mark commented on how he’d had enquiries from folks desirous to journey additional afield for a take a look at:
“I’ve had enquiries from individuals who wish to study and get right into a take a look at round 50 miles away from me. Why go to an space that you just don’t know? It’s laborious sufficient doing a take a look at anyway, you will have a lifetime to drive on the UK roads, however don’t choose the day of your driving take a look at to try this.
“Loads of instructors simply train take a look at routes within the native space, however that signifies that most learners received’t be ready for any take a look at route and the potential impacts of driving in a brand new place.”
