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More than one in six jobs requires a driving licence, study finds

By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted February 19, 2024

A study has found more than one in six UK job vacancies now require candidates to be able to drive.

Research by the RAC Foundation analysed 1.1 million job listings on Adzuna in October last year.

It found nearly 190,000 positions need applicants to have a driving licence.

These roles varied from driving-specific jobs to positions where driving is part of the job or necessary for commuting due to inadequate public transport options.

Significantly, driving skills were most in demand in professions such as plumbing (67 percent), estate agency (59 percent), and caregiving (34 percent).

The financial barrier to acquiring a driving licence is notable, with costs estimated at around £2,200, excluding the expenses of owning and maintaining a vehicle.

The demand for driving as a job qualification has increased from 15.2 percent in 2016 to 17.4 percent in the previous year.

Drivers are currently facing a wait of more than 18 weeks to get a driving test in the UK.

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Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Our research shows that a driving licence can be a crucial qualification.

“Little wonder official figures show that about 45% of all driving tests conducted during 2022/23 involved candidates aged 20 or younger.

“Many job ads which list a driving requirement are in relatively poorly-paid sectors, such as the caring profession.

“This is something the Chancellor should have in mind when making decisions that influence the cost of motoring and impact on those who are already struggling to pay for transport they can’t do without.”

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