Fall in driving test numbers

Soaring costs, reduced incomes and a falling birth rate are forcing a big reduction in the numbers of people seeking driving tests on the roads of Wales. There's been a massive drop of 28,000 since 2006. Alexandra Lodge reports.

Welsh Government figures have been release about the Welsh and their driving habits - here are some statistics:

• 21% of households don't own a car, 44% have one car and 34% own two
• 82% of men had a driving licence; compared with 68% of women
• 66,000 driving tests were sat in 2011-12 - 24% lower than 2006-07
• 227,000 - the number of disabled parking badges issued in 2011

• Disadvantages of travelling by car are: cost, congestion, expense and parking
• Around half of car users have not thought of using public transport as an alternative

Figures show the number of driving tests taken in Wales has fallen by 6,000 in the last year. And almost a quarter of households don't own a car. The area with the least number of car owners is Merthyr. Fuel prices, insurance costs and the price of driving lessons thought to be the reasons.

Fuel prices, insurance costs and the price of driving lessons thought to be the reasons but driving instructor Danielle Price says it's a skill you need to invest in.

The cost of learning to drive and owning a car is forcing fewer people in Wales to get behind the wheel.

Recent Welsh Government figures show the number of learners taking driving tests fell by 6,000 between January 2011 and January 2012.

The AA have blamed the falling numbers on the rising costs of lessons, insurance and buying a car.

The current cost of taking a test includes £31 for the theory test, £62 for the practical test and £50 for a provisional licence.

Welsh Government figures show the number of driving tests taken in Wales has fallen 6,000 in the last year.

And almost a quarter of households don't own a car.

The area with the least number of car owners is Merthyr Tydfil and the highest Powys.