- Britons have been frequently searching online in the past 7 days to find out when driving lessons can restart
- We found a +3,750% increase in online searches over the past 30 days for ‘driving lessons for key workers’
- There’s also been a +1,650% increase in online searches over the past 90 days for ‘Coronavirus driving lessons’
From speaking to our Approved Driving Instructors and those who get in touch enquiring about booking lessons, we know just how keen prospective drivers are to get back behind the wheel, continue with their Driving Lessons and get their hard-earned Driving Licence.
And we’ve done the research to back this up.
What did we find?
We used Google Trends to analyse recent online searches in the UK (leading up to Tuesday 26th May) and found some really interesting statistics.
In the past 7 days the following phrases have seen an increase in online searches:
- ‘Driving instructors near me’: +400%
- ‘When are driving lessons back on?’: +300%
- ‘When can driving lessons restart?’: +140%
And, more cheekily, over the past 7 days the phrase ‘driving to test my eyesight’ has seen a +1,850% increase in searches, following the story about you-know-who doing you-know-what.
In the past 30 days the following phrases have seen an increase in online searches:
- ‘Driving lessons for key workers’: +3,650%
- ‘Driving test booking’: +250%
- ‘Book my theory test’: +80%
In the past 90 days the following phrases have seen an increase in online searches:
- ‘Driving test coronavirus’: +4,800%
- ‘Coronavirus driving lessons’: +1,650%
- ‘Emergency driving test’: +700%
- ‘Are driving lessons allowed?’: +450%
What does this mean?
When we look at this data and the rise in various online searches, we interpret this to mean that Britons are getting itchy feet when it comes to learning to drive. With the country slowly seeing lockdown restrictions eased, and many non-essential shops being told they can open in the coming weeks, those who want to learn to drive want to know when this will be possible.
Yes, some of the search terms will be so big – simply because they aren’t phrases you or I would’ve ever considered searching for before COVID-19 – but for some of the stats to be in the thousands, there is a clear demand for answers.
Have there been any exceptions?
While driving lessons and driving tests for the majority have been put on hold, there have been some that have gone ahead due to extenuating circumstances.
Just this past week we have helped not one, but two, key workers in the UK pass their driving test, one of whom works for St John’s Ambulance.
We are just as sad as you that we haven’t been able to take you to the roads and teach you how to drive, but as soon as they give us the go ahead – and as soon as measures are in place to ensure Driving Lessons are as safe as possible for those involved – we will be ready to welcome you back.
In the meantime, our Approved Driving Instructors can help to prepare you for your theory test. Visit Online Driving Theory Tests to find out more.
