I passed my car theory test with flying colors on my very first attempt. What should have been a moment of celebration and a stepping stone towards autonomous mobility quickly turned into a race against time. The soaring costs of driving lessons and the growing waiting lists only added to the challenges. These circumstances put undue stress on aspiring drivers like myself, forcing the theory acquired, and the associated cost, to go to waste if driving lessons cannot be secured within the two-year validity of the theory test certificate.

It's estimated that an average learner requires 42-50 hours of professional practice alongside 20 hours of private practice to be test-ready, according to the UK's Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The current two-year limit for the theory test certificate is unreasonably short, considering the extended timeframe learners need to gain the required driving experience.

Hence, we petition the relevant authorities to extend the validity of the car theory test beyond the current duration of two years. By doing this, the time and cost pressures on learner drivers can be reduced, making driving a more accessible skill for everyone.