Learner drivers across the UK lost a total of £826,551 in just 90 days through expired theory test certificates as a result of driving tests postponed across the UK due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
Data obtained from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) by car insurance provider, Marmalade showed 35,937 theory test certificates at a cost of £23 each expired between 23 March - 20 June 2020.
With test centres closed and no extension to the expiration dates of certificates, learners faced a loss as each month approached.
May was the biggest month for losses, with £296,102 in theory tests alone all lost due to certificates expiring.
Commenting on the data and what this means for learner drivers, CEO of Marmalade, Crispin Moger said: “I don’t doubt that there will have been many learner drivers that were planning to take their test during this period and now will have lost out due to the lockdown.
"Learners whose certificates have expired will need to take the test and pass it again before they can take their practical driving test adding yet more time to their wait.
“For some this is just another roadblock to gaining freedom and will be a hindrance to many where a driving test pass was at the centre of their plans. That’s why we have launched a petition to ask the UK Government to extend these certificates by three months to allow learners the chance to qualify as drivers as soon as it’s possible, something which will also ease waiting times and pressure on theory test centres once they reopen.”
Initial plans stated that tests were due to resume mid-June, but while centres remain closed certificates will continue to expire.
Based on the 90-day period, 399 certificates expired daily which is an average loss of £9,177 per day to learner drivers across the country.
This average loss can be expected each day until driving tests can resume.
Find out more information and see the full dataset here.
