Getting your car on road up 47%

The cost of getting on the road has increased by 47 per cent in two years – here’s how much it costs new drivers in 2023.

New research by Heritage Car Insurance reveals that the average cost of getting on the road in 2023 as a new driver is £11,137, a significant increase from £7,592 just two years ago.

The most significant expenditures are purchasing a new car, with the average price of a first-time car standing at £6,600, insurance costs for the year at £1,414, and driving lessons amounting to £1,238, on average.

In the past two years alone, the cost of first cars has increased by 85 per cent, and the cost of fuel by 67 per cent.

The research reveals that there has been a 47 per cent increase in the cost of getting on the road for new drivers in just two years.

The research uncovers a significant increase in costs for first-time drivers, with the average price of getting on the road standing at £11,137 in 2023, a notable increase from just two years ago when the expense amounted to £7,592.

Learning to drive in itself is a costly endeavour, with purchasing a car, driving lessons, tests, and application fees all adding up.

However, the expenses associated with driving stretch far beyond these upfront costs. Aspiring drivers must also consider the ongoing costs of vehicle ownership, maintenance and insurance premiums.

To learn the ultimate cost of getting on the road, Heritage analysed data from the Office of National Statistics, with the total figure encompassing both the one-time costs incurred whilst learning how to drive, and the ongoing maintenance of the vehicle.

How much does it actually cost to get on the road?

The research findings highlight the most significant expenditures facing new drivers in 2023.

These include purchasing a new car, with the average price of a first-time car now standing at £6,600, insurance costs for the year at £1,414, and driving lessons amounting to £1,238, based on the average 45 hours of lessons new drivers require.

Fuel expenses for the first year of driving also total £983, and car repair bills average £369.

Ultimately, young drivers now need to fork out a whopping £11,137 on average to be able to get on the road.

Full breakdown of ongoing and one-off expenses for new drivers’ first year of driving between 2022 and 2023:

One-off expenses
Average price of a first car – £6,600
Average insurance for a new driver – £1,414
Provisional license – £34
Driving test – £85
Driving lessons – £1,238
Driving license application – £17
Total one-off expenses – £9,388
Ongoing expenses
Fuel – £983
Road tax – £177
Car repairs, servicing and other work – £369
Car accessories and fittings – £16
Car spare parts – £109
Motoring organisation subscription (eg AA and RAC) – £90
Anti-freeze, battery water, cleaning materials – £5
Total ongoing expenses – £1,749
TOTAL EXPENSES – £11,137

There is a staggering difference between prices now and prices two years ago.

In fact, new drivers can now expect to pay £3,545 more on average, amounting to a 47 per cent increase in total cost.

The most significant spikes have occurred in the prices of the average first car and fuel, soaring by a staggering 85 per cent and 67 per cent, respectively.

Full breakdown of the yearly ongoing and one-off expenses for new drivers between 2020 and 2021:

One-off expenses
Average price of a first car – £3,562
Average insurance for a new driver – £1,409
Provisional license – £34
Driving test – £85
Driving lessons – £1,238
Driving license application – £17
Total one-off expenses – £6,345

For more information, visit: https://www.heritagecarinsurance.co.uk/blog/the-cost-of-driving/

 

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