Cost of driving test set to rise

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has confirmed that the cost of a driving test will rise on April 1st, the BBC has reported.

A range of new prices will come into effect including a £30 theory test and £56.50 practical driving test, while motorcyclists will be the hardest hit with the price of a test set to rise from £60 to £80 on September 29th.

Rosemary Thew, DSA chief executive, told the BBC that the agency had to cover the increasing costs of providing driver and rider tests across the UK.

"We are already planning to make efficiency savings of £4.8 million this year and a further £6 million in 2008-9, but to make sure we continue to offer an excellent service, the fees we charge must match our costs," she commented.

The Telegraph calculated the cost of teaching a teenager to drive to be around £1,600 when driving lessons and practicing for the test are included.

The newspaper also recommended shopping around for learners' car insurance that would offer the best value for money in order to bring down the costs.