PANDEMIC ANXIETY WHILE LEARNING TO DRIVE AFFECTING A THIRD OF WELSH LEARNERS 

Almost half of those who failed their test (40%) blame feeling overly anxious, 

research by Veygo reveals  

• Over a third of (35%) young learner drivers in Wales say Covid safety measures have affected how quickly they have learnt to drive 
• Nearly half (42%) have been forced to cancel lessons and a fifth (19%) felt distracted due to measures like keeping windows open and wearing a mask 
• But those who have passed their test have boosted their confidence (36%) and sense of achievement (45%) 
• IS LEARNING LONGER PAYING OFF? Nationally number of driving tests are still DOWN by 73% on pre-pandemic levels,but pass rates have improved by 5% since 2019, as restrictions force learners to take their time learning to drive 
• A guide for anxious learner drivers, launched by Veygo, signposts how to confront learning-to-drive nerves and where to get help if your anxiety goes beyond driving jitters  

Pandemic anxiety is impacting Gen Z and Millennial learner drivers as they take to the road for the first time, according to a new study by Veygo, the learner-driver insurer. Over a third (36%) of UK learner drivers between the age of 16 and 30 reported feeling more nervous during their lessons as a direct result of pandemic anxiety. 

While almost half (44%) of young drivers across the UK who failed a test in the last 18 months say feeling anxious directly contributed to their result. 

Covid-19 measures in place while learning to drive are also affecting young drivers, with 38% saying that measures such as wearing a mask and having windows open is impacting how quickly they learn to drive. More than a quarter (28%) said measures made them feel anxious, 22% said that it affected the quality of their driving, and 21% said they found the measures distracting.  

A quarter of young drivers (24%) were also nervous about being in close contact with someone outside their household. Beyond learning to drive, nearly half (45%) of young people said that managing their mental health had been the most challenging aspect since the start of the pandemic, with young people saying they had lost confidence (39%) and were less connected (35%). 

But there are positives; despite the stress of the pandemic, young people recognise the value in learning to drive. Those who have passed their test report improved confidence (40%) and sense of achievement (51%). 

And the pandemic hasn’t dampened the younger generation’s appetite to drive; 36% said learning to drive had become more important to them since the pandemic due to having freedom and independence.  

The pass rate has also improved on pre-pandemic levels, with a 5% improvement compared to 2019/20; the pass rate for 2021/22 was 51% compared to 46% in 2019/20.  

The amount of practice that learner drivers put in through the pandemic is bound to have helped, with 44% of young drivers surveyed by Veygo saying they practiced driving with a family member as well as a professional instructor. 

Although there’s still a long way to go. According to DVSA data, the number of driving tests taken between April 2021 and December 2021 so far is 692,684. This is still a 73% decline on where we would expect to be at pre-pandemic levels, compared to the same period (April 2019 – December 2019) which saw an estimated 1.2 million tests(i). But test numbers are unlikely to recover to pre-pandemic levels before 2023, showing that there’s still difficulty and perhaps hesitation to book tests. But those who are taking their tests are more prepared and more likely to pass.  

The test centres with the highest pass rates in the UK so far this year are all in Scotland, with Mallaig topping the tables with a 93% pass rate. For England, Beverley’s LGV driving centre tops the tables at 75%, and in Wales, Newtown has the highest pass rate of 73%.  

Test centre	Pass rate
Mallaig	92.9
Isle of Mull	87.5
Ballater	85.7
Islay Island	84.2
Crieff	83.6

David Roberts, Chief Product Officer at Veygo says: “Passing your test is one of life’s defining moments where we have the freedom to go wherever we like, whenever we choose – a feeling that has never been more relatable than over the past two years. 

“But learning to drive can be a nerve-wracking experience at the best of times, and the uncertainty we have all faced during the pandemic seems to have increased the learning-to-drive jitters. Those who have passed their test, though, do feel much more independent and have a greater sense of confidence with the freedom it brings them. 

“The pandemic has also shown the benefits of taking your time when learning to drive, with pass rates on the rise. With Veygo learner driver insurance, you can get some extra practice in with someone you’re comfortable with to boost your confidence, which can make all the difference to getting you test-ready. 

“Our guide for anxious learner drivers is there to help anyone who’s feeling a bit more nervous than usual, with tips to manage nerves in your lessons and build confidence on the road. But for anyone feeling like they need additional support, we’d urge them to contact charities like Mind, who can be contacted on 0300 123 3393 or CALM Zone who you can call on 0800 58 58 or use their web chat.” 

Veygo are also running a giveaway on their Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, offering entrants the chance to win one of 31 mindfulness app subscriptions. The competition is running until the 31st January 2022.