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Learner drivers in the UK are increasingly turning to online tutorials and social media platforms as a means to reduce the financial burden associated with obtaining a driving licence. The cost of professional driving lessons ranges from approximately £35 to £50 per hour, with the average learner requiring around 45 hours of formal lessons plus an additional 22 hours of private practice, according to the RAC. For many, this can result in expenses exceeding £1,000, creating a financial challenge for young people.
One such learner, Megan Kielthy, who successfully passed her driving test in August at the age of 18, credits social media videos with helping her save money. Megan used these videos as supplementary material to reinforce what she learned during lessons with her trainee instructor, whose services were more affordable. She explained, “I would learn all the content with my instructor but then I was able to revisit content and then if there was something in a YouTube video that I didn’t know, that I didn’t fully understand, I was able to go back to my instructor and ask him.” Nevertheless, Megan also highlighted the risks posed by misleading or AI-generated content online—citing an example of a confusing AI image about navigating roundabouts, which her instructor agreed was unrealistic and potentially harmful if learners relied solely on such information.
The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) stresses the importance of combining digital learning tools with hands-on instruction. Carly Brookfield from the DIA remarked, “I’m a huge advocate of using digital education as something that goes hand in hand with practical training from a professional trainer.” She also underscored the serious nature of road safety: “When it comes to road safety, we’re talking about life and death.” Moreover, John Reynolds, a driving instructor with 13 years’ experience, has created his own social media content to offer free supplementary lessons to learners who may struggle with costs. He noted, “By doing these extra lessons online, it can help bring down those costs” but stressed the necessity of practical skills and cautioned that online material must be used responsibly in conjunction with formal training.
In addition to lesson costs, learners face expenses such as the theory test fee (£23), the practical test (£65), and temporary driving insurance, which can cost between £40 and £50 per month. The DIA estimates the total cost of learning to drive in the UK is around £2,460, a figure that has increased by more than £570 since 2020. Betsi Seward, an 18-year-old learner juggling college and part-time work, expressed how challenging these financial demands are. She also uses social media for learning but warned about the potential risks: “There are ‘random accounts of people using AI to generate mock tests like the routes… and it’s obviously not real… if you take that information into the car with you and it’s wrong, then it’s quite dangerous actually and quite scary.” This sentiment reflects growing concerns about the quality and accuracy of learner resources found online.
The UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) encourages learner drivers to use a combination of official learning materials, qualified driving instructors, and reputable digital resources. They stated, “Alongside the advice of an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and using official learning guides and the Highway Code, there are many ways that learner drivers can supplement their preparation for the driving test,” including “reputable social media content and also private practice with a relative or friend.” Overall, while online tutorials offer a valuable tool for cutting costs and enhancing understanding, experts are united in stressing the indispensable role of professional, practical instruction when it comes to developing safe driving skills
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