Home | Blog | Families are stepping in to help reduce the cost of learning to drive

By Paul Baxter, 14th February 2025

Category: Learner driver

Learning to drive has always been a significant milestone, but with the current shortage of driving instructors, soaring lesson costs, and extended waits for driving tests, many learners are turning to family members for help. Our recent research highlights why so many learner drivers are relying on relatives to help them gain valuable practice before passing their test.

The study revealed that nearly one in three drivers are receiving instruction from a family member while learning to drive. Among these, 22% took a mix of professional lessons and family practice sessions, while 7% relied solely on a parent or relative for tuition. The overwhelming factor behind this choice is cost. Nearly half (49%) of those who took family lessons cited the high price of professional instruction as a key reason.

Beyond affordability, convenience plays a major role, with two in three (66%) learners valuing the flexibility of being able to practise at any time. Additionally, with some UK driving test centres reporting waits of 20 weeks or more, one in five (19%) learners turned to family instruction to keep up regular practice during the long gap between lessons and test dates. A further 5% mentioned a shortage of qualified instructors as a deciding factor.

While many learners found family lessons beneficial, they weren’t without challenges. Seven in ten (69%) reported an overall positive experience, but a quarter (26%) admitted that practising with a relative led to frequent arguments or disagreements. For 5% of learners, the experience was so difficult that they abandoned family lessons altogether and switched to a professional instructor.

To help families navigate the financial and emotional challenges of teaching a learner, we’ve introduced short-term Learner Driver Insurance . This flexible, affordable policy ensures that learner drivers are fully covered while practising in the family car, providing protection against damage and safeguarding the car owner’s No Claims Discount. The policy also includes features such as green driving scores, which can be shared with professional instructors to refine practice sessions.

With more learners relying on family support, having the right insurance in place can ease stress, offer financial protection, and ultimately help create more confident, responsible drivers.