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New research has revealed the cost of learning to drive is wildly different depending on where in the world you live, but Brits don’t have it too bad.
The study by learner driver insurance specialist Veygo by Admiral found that costs range from just over £300 in Malta to more than £3,000 in Hong Kong, so it seems some young drivers’ dreams of getting behind the wheel come at a significantly different price.
Looking at the cost of getting a provisional licence, driving lessons with an authorised instructor and the price of sitting your theory and practical tests, right through to converting it to a full licence, Veygo found startling differences.
At £3,000, Hong Kong is the most expensive place to learn overall – a combination of the most expensive ‘rate’ per hour and a recommended 30 lessons before attempting a test
The UK is the fifth cheapest place for learner drivers to get a lesson with an expert, with an average cost of £24.
Age differences
Some countries including the USA (state dependent), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Barbados, Ireland and Sweden all allow drivers to start the formal learning process and sit tests at the age of 16.
France lets young drivers start learning at just 15, although like British teenagers they need to be 17 before they can legally take their test.
Other countries including Spain, Italy, Singapore, Malta and Hong Kong require drivers to be 18 before they can start learning, putting the UK firmly in the middle of the pack.
Learning to drive round the world – the costs revealed
| Rank | Country | Cost of provisional licence | Average Cost: Single lesson in £ | No. of recommended lessons | Total cost of driving lessons in £ | Total cost of tests £ | Full license upgrade £ | Total cost of learning and getting licence |
| 1 | Hong Kong | £53 | £97 | 30 | £2,910 | £50 (theory and practical) | £87 | £3,100 |
| 2 | Germany | £35 | £44 | Recommended 40 – 50 hours | £1760-£2200 | £364 (theory and practical) | £4 | £2,164 |
| 3 | USA | £61 | £86 | Min 6, recommended 30 – varies by state | £516 – £2580 | NA – all included with learner permit | £36 | £1,647 |
| 4 | Sweden | £17 | £68 | – | £1,166 | £137 (theory and practical) | £21 | £1,325 |
| 5 | UK | £34 | £24 | 47 | £1,128 | £85-98 (theory and practical) | – | £1,247 |
| 6 | Australia | £93 | £35 | 25 | £882 | £45 (theory and practical) | £170 | £1,189 |
| 7 | France | £26 | £40 | 20 (required), many need 40 | £615-£1400 | Included in lesson costs (via driving school) – theory and practical | – | £1,008 |
| 8 | Singapore | £14 | £30 | Recommended 20-25 | £600 – £750 | £182 (theory and practical) | £28 | £823 |
| 9 | New Zealand | £24 | £31 | 20-40 | £620 – £1240 | £66 (theory and practical) | £24 | £734 |
| 10 | Spain | One single cost covers all via driving school | £22 | 20 | One single cost covers all via driving school | £79 (included with driving school costs) | – | £623 |
| 11 | Italy | One single cost covers all via driving school | NA | minimum 6 hours is mandatory with a qualified instructor | One single cost covers all via driving school | One single cost covers all via driving school – theory and practical | – | £616 |
| 12 | Ireland | £31 | £35 | 12 hours of mandatory lessons | £420 | £114 (theory and practical) | £48 | £613 |
| 13 | Canada | £34 | £18 | 20 | £352 | £74 (theory and practical) | £9 | £469 |
| 14 | Barbados | £30 | £15 | – | £304 | £49 (theory and practical) | £19 | £403 |
| 15 | Malta | £20 | £13 | – | £260 | £47 (theory and practical – increases if test on weekend) | – | £328 |
