Struggling to find a driving instructor in Lancaster? This could be why...

Interest in learning to drive in Lancaster rose by 186 per cent during the strictest period of lockdown between March and June according to new data.

The research, compiled by learner driver insurance provider Marmalade, looked at Google search data surrounding terms relating to learning to drive to see if being cooped up at home during the tightest of restrictions influenced the amount of people wanting independence through the form of a driver’s licence.

Searches for the term ‘learning to drive’ specifically rose significantly throughout the lockdown period with an average national rise of 120 per cent when comparing data from March and June 2020.

However, in many areas of the UK this was significantly higher, suggesting residents in some areas were more keen to get on the road than others.

Middlesbrough saw the biggest rise in interest ahead of driving lessons resuming in England on Saturday July 4, with stats suggesting interest in learning to drive rose by 554 per cent throughout March to June. Chester (310 per cent increase) and Cheltenham completed the top three, with Lancaster making up the top ten in tenth position.

The top ten biggest rise in searches for ‘learning to drive’ were in the following areas:

Middlesbrough - up 554%

Chester - up 310%

Cheltenham - 248%

Norwich - up 236%

Luton - up 222%

Stoke-on-Trent - up 220%

Lincoln - up 210%

Bolton - up 195%

Coventry - up 189%

Lancaster - up 186%

*Based on Google search data taken from its keyword planner software.

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