Here at IDEAL we have a confession – most of us don’t drive. For some it’s because we’ve always lived in a city, where tubes, trains and buses are so frequent there’s no need. For others, costs have been prohibitive. And while it may have once been a cause of embarrassment in our youth – when all the cool kids got their license as soon as they could – it turns out not driving is becoming increasingly common.
The legal age to begin driving in the UK is 17, and while many are desperate to set their hands on the wheel the moment they reach this age, data from a 2016 survey of 1,500 participants showed that the average age to start driving is now 26. It seems that due to a combination of factors such as rising costs and lack of confidence, people are now driving later in life. In fact, 44% of learners are now over the age of 25. To emphasise the point, in the last nine years the number of young drivers learning between ages 17 and 20 has fallen by a whopping 21%.
There are different deciding factors for older drivers finally choosing to get behind the wheel – the primary reason (43% of learners over the age of 25) for getting on the road was family. So, no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to learn. We’ve teamed up with Pass N Go, who offer driving lessons in Sunderland, to offer the IDEAL guide to learning to drive in later life.
AGE AND PASS RATE
Good news! Pass rates have been rising in most age categories over the past ten years according to government statistics. The average pass rate (the percentage of tests passed out of those conducted) for a 17-year-old between 2016 and 2017 was 56.7%, 4.7% higher than the pass rate between 2007 and 2008. Looking at an older age category, the pass rate of a 45-year-old is now 36.3% compared to 29.7% – another steep rise.
The research shows that, up to a certain age, the pass rate does decrease and at age 55, it currently stands at 33.5%. However, with learners over the age of 61, the pass rate jumps up to 35.9%. This could be explained by the extra spare time afforded to this age group, enabling focus on conducting their lessons. Equally, it could be because of those over 70s who retake their test. Either way, it shows that you’re never too old to start, or pass. It’s a mantra we think should be adopted for many things in life.
WHAT HOLDS PEOPLE BACK?
So, why are older drivers extra cautious in taking the wheel? 52% of learners over the age of 25 said that a lack of confidence was their primary concern. Older drivers are more accustomed to being passengers or using public transport and the thought of being responsible for a vehicle is frightening.
The second worry for older drivers is ‘not knowing how long the process will take’. Research does suggest that a learner aged 17 can pass with an average of 30 one-hour lessons whereas a 40-year-old driver will need around 50 hours. Older drivers often have more commitments too such as managing lessons around working hours and looking after a family.
Those far from the legal driving age may also have slower reactions to the hazards that occur on the roads and this can deter them from learning. However, due to their many years of experience being a passenger, it is likely that they will have a good level of road (and common) sense and have a more ingrained ability to spot any potential problems ahead.
INTENSIVE LESSONS
Infrequent or irregular driving lessons reduce your chances to succeed, make no mistake. Although it can be hard to schedule driving lessons around your working hours, try to have intensive lessons on days off. For example, a weekly two-hour lesson on a Saturday combined with an hourly weekday session after work could prevent you forgetting the valuable lessons you’d learnt previously.
It may sound silly, but you could use your driving lessons to get places too. If you work nearby, you could start your lesson straight after work and finish it at home — cutting out your commute and fitting your lessons nicely around your day.
Alternatively, you could take an intensive driving course during annual leave. Before such a course, you’ll have to take an assessment to decide how long your course should be according to your abilities. After this, you can take your test and get on the road. This also addresses the concern of the learning process taking too long. Many boxes ticked, then, we think.
SAFETY AND LEGALITY
You could learn with a friend or family member if you think this is best for you. However, keep in mind that they must be over the age of 21 and have had their licence for three years. They must be supervising you too — it is in fact illegal for them to be using a mobile phone whilst you are driving, so keep that in mind.
You’ll need your own insurance as a learner driver too, in case of fairly likely mishaps. This can be either insurance on your own car or your family or friend’s insurance on theirs.
Finally, it’s important to consider any health issues you may have presenting possible interference with your ability to drive. Speak to your doctor if you are concerned that problems may affect your safety on the road. In terms of eyesight, you must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. So, with all those formalities dealt with, good luck!
