Cost of a driving licence to be slashed to help young drivers

The Government has announced the move to cut the cost of a provisional licence by 32%

UK Driving Licence (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The cost of a driving licence is to fall by almost a third after a public consultation by the Government.

Applying for a provisional licence online will drop from £50 to £34, while the cost to renew online after 10 years will fall from £20 to £14.

The new fees will be introduced from 31 October and are estimated to save drivers more than £80m.

The 32 per cent reduction will be especially welcome to young drivers, who face high costs before they can get on the road.

Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: "Giving savings back to the taxpayer is a key element in this government's drive for a stronger economy and a fairer society. That's why we're slashing the cost of getting a driving licence."

The DVLA processes one million "first licence" applications every year and the fees drop is expected to save new drivers £82.2 million over 10 years, with more than 77 per cent of these applications are made by 17 to 24 year olds.

In addition 2.1 million photocard licences are renewed every year, meaning motorists already on the road would save £61.3 million collectively over a decade.

Claire Perry, the transport minister, said: "The cost of driving, especially for young drivers, can be significant and we are committed to cutting costs where we can. Thanks to DVLA making large-scale savings to their running costs, we have been able to cut the cost of the driving licence which will save drivers and businesses £150 million over the next 10 years."

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "The Department for Transport's own surveys show the three things that do most to put young people off driving are cost, cost and cost: of learning, of insurance and of buying a car.

"Incomes for teenagers have been under downward pressure at the same time as motoring costs have generally been rising. This move is welcome."

Additional Reporting by Press Association