The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a record number of learner drivers taking to the road with another family member, according to the RAC.
Driving lessons were suspended in March, as part of the Government’s initial response to the pandemic. These restrictions remained in place until 4 July.
New data shows RAC Insurance recorded its highest-ever weekly demand for learner driver insurance during the first week of June – up on the same week last year marginally, and 37% higher than 2018.
Meanwhile, the average number of learner driver policies bought each week through June and the first half of July is up 27.5% on pre-lockdown levels – and is also higher than the RAC would expect to see at this time of year.
The RAC says these figures could be driven by fears over sharing a vehicle with somebody else – or because instructors are struggling to cope with demand.
Simon Williams, RAC Insurance spokesperson, said: “As lockdown began to be eased but learning to drive with an instructor still wasn’t possible, we saw demand for our learner driver insurance grow as this was the only way new drivers could continue to get experience on the roads at the start of their driving careers.
“The fact we have seen demand for policies hit an all-time high is remarkable, given just what an abnormal year 2020 has been so far.
“But interestingly, while driving schools have been allowed to reopen since 4 July, our figures show there’s still strong demand for lessons from mum and dad, perhaps driven by fears over sharing a vehicle with somebody else – or perhaps because professional instructors are being inundated with requests for lessons and are struggling to cope with demand.”
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