Learning to drive is often a vital way for young people to gain independence and improve the scope of available job opportunities, but it can be quite daunting to invest in lessons – especially without much spare cash. If you want to learn how to drive and are wondering how to pay for it, consider these four ways to fund your lessons.

1. Pay as you go

The simplest way to go about learning to drive is to pay for your lessons as and when you have them. You can set the frequency of your lessons in line with what you can afford, but keep in mind that long gaps between lessons can make it hard to build on your skills. A big benefit of paying as you go is that it’s flexible – if you run into some financial hardship, you can take a break. Creating a budget is a great way to ensure you have the funds ready when you need them to pay for your driving lessons.

2. Bulk-buy discounts

One of the best ways to get value for money out of your driving lessons is to buy them in bulk. Many driving schools and instructors offer discounts if you pay for a large number of lessons in advance. Others offer driving courses for a set price that is cheaper overall than paying for lessons as you go. You’ll need to have the full funds available when you book a course or package of lessons, but you could make significant savings in the long term.

3. Loans and credit cards

Sometimes it makes sense to use credit to learn to drive, particularly if your earning potential will increase once you’ve passed your test. Some driving schools offer buy-now-pay-later financing, which allows you to spread the cost of a driving course across multiple weeks or months rather than paying it all at once.

Alternatively, you could pay for a driving course using a credit card. You’ll need to pay it off at a pace that’s affordable for you, so it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford to pay back and when. Missed payments remain on credit reports for six years, and they can have a big impact on your ability to secure credit in the future. You should always do plenty of research before you take on any debt.

4. Grants from charities and councils

Sometimes, there are opportunities to secure grants that can help you pay for driving lessons if you meet certain criteria. For example, the Capstone Care Leavers Trust awards grants to young people aged between 17 and 25 years old who have been in care at any time in the past, who can demonstrate that the funds would support their educational or personal development.

Some charities support young people in certain jobs, in circumstances where driving is a requirement of the role. People with disabilities can also access financial support for driving lessons if learning to drive would give them greater independence. Sometimes local councils may also offer financial support for care leavers, carers, and disabled people – so be sure to check what’s available to you in your area.

Gain independence when you learn to drive

Learning to drive is a fantastic investment that can help you enjoy more freedom and independence. Now you have some ideas for how to fund your lessons, you're a step closer to getting behind the wheel.