Learner Drivers Lost Out On £1 Million Over Lockdown
A new Freedom of Information request has revealed that learner drivers have lost out on £1 million over the course of the nation’s lockdown…
Learner Driver Losses
Learner drivers aren’t exactly known for their limitless wealth. In fact, they’re facing increasingly large fees for lessons and courses – not to mention eye-watering car insurance premiums. However, they’ve collectively lost out on £1 million over the course of lockdown according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. The figure is based on the number of expired theory test certificates whilst driving tests were put on hold. Some 35,937 theory test certificates expired between March 23rd and June 20th. Theory test certificates currently cost £23, which is non-refundable. Based on the FOI data, 399 certificates were expiring daily which was equivalent to £9,177 being lost each day.
Testing To Resume
Car driving tests will return to normal in England and Wales on July 22nd – a 32-day extension on the original pitch date of June 20th. This alone represents another loss of £293,664. Using DVA data, car insurance provider Marmalade estimates a total loss of £1,120,215 for learner drivers. Crispin Moger, CEO of Marmalade, commented on the figure. He said, “I don’t doubt that there will have been many learner drivers that were planning to take their test during this period and now will have lost out due to the lockdown. Learners whose certificates have expired will need to take the test and pass it again before they can take their practical driving test adding yet more time to their wait”.
He added, “for some this is just another roadblock to gaining freedom and will be a hindrance to many where a driving test pass was at the centre of their plans. That’s why we have launched a petition to ask the Government to extend these certificates by three months; to allow learners the chance to qualify as drivers as soon as it’s possible. Something which will also ease waiting times and pressure on theory test centres once they reopen”.
Know Any Learner Drivers? Learning’s Going To Cost Them £7,000 – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/learner-drivers-costs/
The Hardest Places In The World To Pass A Driving Test – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/hardest-places-pass-driving-test/
