Driving has been dwindling among younger generations due to eco concerns, urbanisation, and the growing cost of car ownership. But with public transport presenting a risky space due to COVID-19, more people are doing a U-turn and signing up for lessons in the UK. We explore the insights behind this and why Britons are seeking private transportation solutions.
Driving schools in the UK have seen a surge in enquiries since they reopened for business post-lockdown. The Bill Plant Driving School saw interest double in comparison to the same period in 2019, while RED Driving School reported a record high amount of enquiries since the start of July 2020 of more than 37,000.
“With the warnings surrounding public transport, we are expecting to see more young people than ever before wanting to learn to drive themselves over the coming months,” says Crispin Moger, chief executive of learner driver insurance provider Marmalade.
In response to transport restrictions, countries including the UK, the US, and Colombia saw an uptick in cycling, and even as lockdowns ease anxiety has remained – in London, for example, 70% of people surveyed in June 2020 felt anxious about commuting via bus or tube. But hopes for the potential of greener commutes are being given a reality check by the growing interest in driving.
With the car presenting an important space for many – 45% of Americans say they sometimes take refuge in their parked car – and opening up new entertainment opportunities such as drive-in movies and concerts, more consumers are unsurprisingly eager to learn the rules of the road.
Katy Young is a Canvas8 behavioural analyst. She has a degree in American Studies and Film and an MA in Journalism. Her interests include wild swimming, thinking of podcast ideas and singing in an all-female choir.
