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Data Reveals the UK Cities That Are Best for Learner Drivers in 2024

October 3, 2024

Research by at has revealed that Leeds and Belfast are officially the best cities to be a learner driver. With driving lessons averaging at £33 per hour in Leeds, this city makes an affordable choice for most learner drivers at 13% less than the national average of £38. Belfast is 3% above the average of £38, but learner drivers benefit from short wait times of 10 weeks.


Demand for driving lessons is at an all-time high as the backlog from the pandemic continues. Until driving test capacity increases, the backlog is expected to only get worse, with high-demand areas having seemingly no end in sight. In 2024, there are in the UK competing for driving test slots, but the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can only accommodate 2,042,976 of them. This means that demand for driving tests is expected to exceed capacity by 82%.


This pressure only continues as data from the , from January to March 2024 (Quarter 4), 666,000 car theory tests were conducted in Great Britain, an increase of 12% from January to March 2023 (Quarter 4). Equally, from January to March 2024 (Quarter 4), 561,000 car practical tests were conducted in Great Britain, an increase of 25% from January to March 2023 (Quarter 4).


The delays in booking tests and the ongoing backlog are causing major frustrations for both drivers and instructors. Learners are having to take more lessons to make up for the additional waiting time and instructors are unable to take on more drivers due to the backlog. According to a survey from car insurance provider 77% of learners have cited that the extra cost of more lessons has been their biggest frustration.


DVSA says that learners will need an average of , working out around £1,710 per student. However, with wait times for tests now at an all-time high at an average of , driving instructors and their students are in a crisis. Learners across the country are facing a postcode lottery when it comes to waiting for a driving test slot, and most centres are seeing over double the wait times of pre-pandemic levels, which saw an average of only 6 weeks.


Leeds and Belfast revealed as the best cities for learner drivers in the UK

 

Taking into account the average cost of driving lessons in each city, the average wait times and driving test search demand, Ƶ has created a list of the best cities to be a learner driver in 2024. 


It’s revealed that Leeds and Belfast are officially the best cities to be a learner driver. With driving lessons averaging at £33 per hour in Leeds, this city makes an affordable choice for most learner drivers at 13% less than the national average. While driving test wait times are still relatively high at 20 weeks, this is one week less than the national average, and search demand in the city is slightly less than the national average, seeing 1,700 searches each month.


Belfast averages £39 for driving lessons, which is 3% more than average, however drivers benefit from short test wait times at only 10 weeks. Belfast also has a smaller search demand of 1,400 searches each month for “driving lessons Belfast”.


London is ranked as the worst place for learner drivers. The average driving lesson costs are second highest in the country at £41 per hour, 8% over the national average. London has the second highest wait times at 23 weeks, which is mirrored in its monthly search demand, which is the highest in the UK with over 2,800 searches for “driving lessons London” each month.


Rank City Total cost hourly of driving lessons Difference to national average cost of £38 Driving test wait times Search demand Total score out of 60
1 Leeds £33 -13% 20 1,700 48
2 Belfast £39 3% 10 1,400 48
3 Glasgow £32 -16% 28 1,700 47
4 Birmingham £34 -11% 21 1,500 47
5 Newcastle £37 -3% 14 1,500 47
6 Brighton £40 5% 13 1,000 46
7 Leicester £32 -16% 23 2,000 45
8 Manchester £34 -11% 23 1,600 45
9 Cardiff £36 -5% 23 1,700 42
10 Sheffield £36 -5% 23 1,800 41
11 Liverpool £39 3% 15 1,900 40
12 Nottingham £40 5% 23 1,500 38
13 Bristol £51 34% 9 1,800 37
14 Edinburgh £42 11% 17 1,800 34
15 London £41 8% 23 2,800 30

Sourced from internal Ƶ data (September 2024).


Bristol is the most expensive city for learner drivers



Rank City Average cost of hourly driving lessons Difference between the national average cost of £38
1 Bristol £51 34%
2 Edinburgh £42 11%
3 London £41 8%
4 Brighton £40 5%
5 Nottingham £40 5%
6 Liverpool £39 3%
7 Belfast £39 3%
8 Newcastle £37 -3%
9 Sheffield £36 -5%
10 Cardiff £36 -5%
11 Birmingham £34 -11%
12 Manchester £34 -11%
13 Leeds £33 -13%
14 Glasgow £32 -16%
15 Leicester £32 -16%

Sourced from internal Ƶ data (September 2024).


Leicester is the most in-demand city for driving lessons


Google search demand for "driving lessons" sees over 53,000 searches each month in the UK, up 4% this month. Searches reach their highest peaks in January and June. Alongside this, “driving lessons near me” also sees over 12,000 searches each month across the UK. Outside of London, the location that sees the most searches is Leicester, receiving an average of 2,000 searches each month. The least demand is found in Brighton, with an average of 1,000 searches each month.


has the longest wait for driving tests currently, with a wait of 28 weeks in this area, 7 weeks over the national average. The area with the shortest wait is Bristol, at just 9 weeks.


While the backlog doesn’t look to be reducing any time soon, don’t let that put you off from jumping into the driving seat. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has taken several measures to reduce the backlog, including:


●     Recruiting more driving examiners

●     Offering tests on weekends and bank holidays

●     Asking qualified warrant card holders to continue testing

●     Encouraging examiners from areas with shorter waiting times to test in areas with longer waiting times

●     Raising awareness of the Ready to Pass? campaign which encourages learners to delay their test if they are not ready


If you or someone you know is looking to start lessons, Ƶ.com has a wide selection of instructors from across the country on hand to give you the best start when learning to drive. Whether you’re feeling unsure about whether to choose manual or automatic driving lessons or stuck picking between several driving instructors, Ƶ is here to help.


On Ƶ.com, you can view profiles, browse reviews, and contact driving schools for more information. Start by comparing the best driving lessons near you or post an enquiry if you want to hear from businesses directly. Whichever method you prefer, it’s absolutely free.

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November 13, 2024
With property prices rising and moving costs increasing, the experts at Ƶ have found that more homeowners in the UK are opting for home improvements rather than relocating. This trend, driven by factors such as rising property prices and the growing costs of buying a new home, has seen more people investing in remodelling and extending to create their dream homes where they already live. Research from TSB reveals that two in five (41%) homeowners would prefer to build an extension than move house. According to Pepper Money’s Specialist Lending Study , 41% of those surveyed said affordability of properties is preventing them from moving to a larger home elsewhere and that 51% are considering a secured loan to make home improvements. With Google searches for “planning permission” up YoY in the UK, and “home improvement ideas” up 9900% this month, for many, redeveloping a home offers a more practical solution to moving home. Rather than facing the expenses of moving and the challenges of relocating, homeowners can transform their spaces to better meet their needs and preferences. From adding extra rooms or modernising kitchens to creating open floor plans or upgrading the home’s energy efficiency, these improvements not only add value to a property but also improve daily life. However, what many homeowners may not realise is that there is a planning permission postcode lottery going on across the country. In 2024, it’s harder than ever to get approval on your property, with approval rates at an all-time low. While you may expect that adding an extension to your home or converting a loft space may be a relatively straightforward option – your location could have an impact on the decision made. With this in mind, experts at Ƶ have reviewed planning applications across England from July 2023 to July 2024 to compile a list of the best and worst locations for planning approval, highlighting which areas make it easiest – and hardest – to secure planning permission for your home. 86% of all planning applications in England have been granted in 12 months With more homeowners opting for redevelopment, planning applications across England have remained high, with 327,217 applications submitted from Q3 2023 to Q3 2024. Despite the high volume, England has maintained an 86% approval rate for these applications, making it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade their homes. However, it’s clear there are regional inconsistencies and some areas are seeing more favourable outcomes when it comes to planning permission. The South East is revealed as the region with the most applications, receiving 66,795 in the 12 months – demonstrating a high demand for home updates and development in the area. Gosport in the South East leads in approval rates, with 99% of applications granted, while Barking and Dagenham trail behind with the lowest approval rate at 61%, signalling potential challenges in that locality. Approval rates also vary across regions, with the North East boasting the highest at 91%, compared to London’s more selective 80% approval rate. Householder development approvals are down year-on-year Of the 327,217 applications this past year, 167,604 were for householder developments. These are residential planning applications that are within a residential property and are not a change of use. Examples of householder developments include extensions, garages, swimming pools, walls, fences, vehicle accesses, porches, satellite dishes, loft conversions, and dormer windows. If you're considering a home renovation or addition, understanding the trends in planning applications can offer valuable insights – and it’s clear that planning approval rates are shifting across England. In the past year, 148,406 planning applications were approved, accounting for 89% of decisions made. While this is still high, it reflects a slight dip from the 91% peak seen in 2021. The North East is the region with the highest percentage of planning approvals The South East remains a hotspot for home improvement projects, with 32,922 householder applications granted – leading the country in volume. This is followed by London (21,490) and East of England (20,207). However, in the North East, while having a lower number of applications, it’s the region with the highest percentage of approvals at 94%, making it an ideal region if you're looking for a smooth approval process. Regions with the highest number of granted planning
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