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Learning to drive - is it still worth it?

With the price of lessons, cars and insurance, and the rising cost of living, is learning to drive still such a big deal for young adults?

Passing a driving test can be one of the highlights of our teen years. But there's been a big drop in the number of 17 and 18 year olds who can drive, according to figures published by the DVLA. In the years leading up to the pandemic just over 300,000 17 and 18 year olds in England, Scotland and Wales held full licenses. But the most recent figures show the number in 2022 has fallen by almost a third to just under 210,000.

Covid has played a huge part, many tests and lessons were cancelled and there is a major backlog in the system. But with the price of lessons, cars and insurance, and the rising cost of living, is learning to drive still such a big deal for young adults?

Foe 5 Minutes On, 大象传媒 News Correspondent, Tim Muffett, has been talking to teenagers, including 17 year old Ben and his instructor Rob Winkley, as well as Chris Bensted from the Driving Instructor and Trainers Collective, to gauge opinion.

Image Credit: Caia Image via Getty Images

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6 minutes