Survey shows early take up for driving lessons

What does the data show?

According to Gallagher’s numbers, young adults in Ireland are learning to drive at a significantly earlier age than previous generations.

In fact, the survey of 900 drivers across Ireland found that four in ten (41 per cent) of 18 to 24-year-olds began learning to drive at 17 or 18 years old – up from just three in ten (30 per cent) of motorists now aged 45 to 54.

What does that mean?

It means, essentially, that for the majority of Irish drivers in the youngest age groups, as soon as they’re legally old enough to get a licence, they’re getting on the road and learning — and the age at which people start their driving lessons is actually getting lower.

Gallagher’s survey found that 75 per cent of today's 18 to 24-year-olds started driving before turning 21, compared with 60 per cent of motorists currently over 55.

The average age at which those surveyed began learning was just over 22 among the 55+ age group, compared with just over 20 among 18 to 24-year-olds today.

What else did the survey show?

The Gallagher survey showed that out of all Irish drivers, 68 per cent began learning before they were 21 years old, and slightly more than one third started between the ages of 17 and 18, which is essentially as young as you can start.

The data also shows that men start learning slightly earlier than women — at 21.4 years compared with 22.3 years — and that, surprise surprise, those in rural areas are more likely to start at 17 or 18 years old than those in urban areas (41 per cent compared with 34 per cent).

It’s also apparently very uncommon to start learning later in life; only six per cent said that they started learning how to drive after the age of 30, while no-one in the survey started learning above the age of 50.

Are there any regional variations?

Yes, there are. Those in Munster are the most likely to start driving at 17 or 18 years old (41 per cent), while Dubliners are the least likely to begin learning at the earliest legal age (31 per cent) — the survey doesn’t explicitly say so, but it sounds to us very much as if access to public transport plays a big part in that.

So what have we learned from all this?

According to Geraldine Kelly, Head of Personal Lines at Gallagher, we’ve learned that the sort of personal freedom that driving brings — even net of the relatively high cost of owning and running a car these days — still pays dividends for Irish people: “It's easy to think of it simply as passing a test, but in reality, it's about much more. Whether it's getting your first job, commuting to college, taking up opportunities that are further from home or simply having the freedom to travel independently, a driving licence gives people options that can stay with them for life,” said Kelly.

“Our research suggests that many young people today recognise that value. Starting early often has practical advantages too. Younger learners are more likely to have access to a family car and someone who can accompany them while they build confidence on the road.

“They also tend to have fewer financial commitments and more flexibility to fit lessons and practice around their schedules. As life becomes busier with work, mortgages and family responsibilities, finding the time, money and opportunity to learn can become much more difficult.

“The differences between rural and urban Ireland are also telling. In many rural communities, driving isn't a luxury – it's a necessity. A car is often the only realistic way to get to work, education, childcare, healthcare appointments or even to meet friends and family. In larger towns and cities, public transport can offer alternatives, so there's often less urgency to learn at a young age.”

Any tips for those starting out on their driving journey, regardless of age?

Yes — Kelly said that the best advice is to start as soon as you possibly can, but equally to remember that age is no barrier to learning.

Treat it less as just passing a specific test and more about developing a skill that you keep learning and improving through your life. Get as much practice as you can before actually taking the test, and don’t be pushed into doing a manual-gearbox test if an automatic licence is the right one for you (which, increasingly is the case for many).

Finally, budget and plan for the costs of learning — lessons, insurance, the cost of the test itself etc.

“Learning to drive is undoubtedly an investment. Between lessons, the theory test, the driving test and buying and insuring a first car, the costs can add up. However, it's also an investment in your future. A driving licence can significantly widen employment opportunities, particularly as more people are commuting longer distances or choosing to live outside our cities where housing is more affordable. For many employers, having a full licence is either a requirement or a distinct advantage,” said Kelly.

“While there are clear benefits to starting young, it's equally important to remember that there is no deadline for learning. Everyone's circumstances are different, and there are now more options than ever before, including automatic driving lessons, making the process more accessible. Whether you're learning at 18 or 58, becoming a safe and confident driver is an investment that can pay dividends for decades to come.”