Learner drivers turn to YouTube and TikTok to cut costs – but instructors warn of risks – BBC

Learner drivers turn to YouTube and TikTok to cut costs – but instructors warn of risks  BBC

One learner says social media clips saved her money, but there was also misinformation online. Megan is one of many people who used social media to help her learn to drive Learner drivers say they are turning to online tutorials to help with the cost of obtaining a driving licence. Driving lessons in the UK are now about £35 to £50, according to the RAC, with the average learner needing 45 hours of lessons and a further 22 hours of practice. Megan Kielthy, who passed her driving test in August, said social media videos "definitely" saved her money, but she also had seen AI-generated images and misinformation that she had warned could confuse learners.

The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) said while digital education could be "excellent" it should go "hand in hand" with practical lessons, and that road safety was a matter of "life and death". BBC journalist Lola Mayor explains why some learner drivers are turning to social media Megan, 18, opted for a trainee instructor to save money but said learning to drive had still cost her more than £1,000. She earns £10 an hour babysitting, which she said had gone towards her £30 lessons alongside help from her parents. "I don't think that I would have been able to do it without the financial support from my