Average age to start driving now 26, as younger adults put off learning and car buying

• 44% of drivers hitting the road for the first time are over the age of 25 • 21% decrease in 17-20 year olds taking their driving test in last nine years • 56% expected to be driving at an earlier age

The process of getting on the road is being put off by the majority of first time drivers, with most of them waiting almost a decade from being legally able to drive, to taking to the road independently.

The youngest group, 17-20 year olds, have seen a 21% decrease in taking up driving in the last nine years and only make up 34% of today’s first time drivers. 44% are over the age of 25 and most young adults are not taking to the road until the mature age of 26. Of the group over 25 years old, 56% claim they expected to be driving at a much earlier age with a surprising 11% stating that they’re still trying to get on the road despite starting at the age of 17.

The research was conducted in light of a new partnership between Auto Trader, the UK’s leading digital marketplace for new and used cars and RED, one of the UK’s largest driving schools. The partnership surveyed 1,500 first time drivers in June this year to discover the motivations and challenges faced by new drivers of all ages in the UK.

Auto Trader’s Editor in Chief, Jon Quirk, said, “Our research reveals that getting on the road can be a daunting experience for first time drivers, and it’s something that becomes a bigger challenge as the years go on.”

“48% of first time drivers aged 25 plus who delayed getting on the road said it was due to the cost, but there has arguably never been a better time to take to the road in a vehicle that matches your everyday needs, as well as your monthly budget.”

“The availability of finance products and major increase with car manufacturers offering extensive model ranges marketed at first time drivers has opened up a whole new world of choice for younger car buyers.”

“This is great news for some, but without the right help and guidance, it could add to the challenge for many of today’s new drivers.”

60% of first time drivers said that having more information and guidance would make getting on the road easier – a journey which takes them from learning, all the way through to finding the right car for them.

Overall, when it came to discovering everything they needed to know about getting on the road, 59% claimed that they relied on advice and guidance from parents and family, despite many first time drivers being out of the family set up at university or living independently.

29 year old first time driver, Elizabeth Oakley, from London, said: “Looking back, I wish I had spurred myself on more to get on the road when I was 17, I had much more free time and could have relied on my parents for help and support – but it’s a much bigger challenge 12 years on – I have a full time job, and it’s been difficult to find the time to discover how to start learning and pass my test, all the way through to choosing the right car for my needs.”

For the majority of first time drivers who are over the age of 25, it seems the motivations for driving also change with time. 43% claim that family is one of the main drivers for finally getting on the road, with 29% saying they just want to get it over and done with.

Although cost is a primary concern for 17-20 year olds, new drivers who are over the age of 25 list a lack of confidence as their primary concern (52%) – with ‘not knowing how long the process would take’ as their second biggest worry (50%).

Auto Trader’s partnership with RED Driving School was established to offer first time drivers all the help and guidance they need to get on the road efficiently and safely through a new online information hub (view the hub here) that will work as a doorway to relevant advice and guidance through videos and tools. The partnership has also launched a competition for first time drivers, which will giveaway new cars and thousands of pounds worth of driving lessons as competition prizes. Please see the online hub for more information: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/new-drivers .