- Driving essential for job seekers
- Rising costs impact transportation
- Licencing expenses increase job barriers
A new analysis reveals that the ability to operate a motor vehicle is a prerequisite for more than one in every six advertised positions in Britain.
According to research conducted by the RAC Foundation, a valid driver’s licence is currently regarded as an “essential qualification” for job applications.
As the cost of operations escalates, including fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and the expense of acquiring driving skills, the ability to operate a motor vehicle becomes increasingly significant when applying for jobs.
The study revealed that of the 1.1 million vacancies published by the job website Adzuna in October last year, nearly 190,000 required applicants to possess a valid driver’s licence.
Upon analysing the job descriptions, it was determined that the advertisements either required a vehicle to reach the location of employment due to a dearth of viable transportation options, required driving as part of the duties, or, in a minority of instances, were solely for drivers.
More than one-third of job advertisements specified driving as a prerequisite for employment, with the following positions included: care workers (34 percent), plumbers (67 percent), and estate agents (59 percent).
The report’s findings are being released at a time when transportation expenses continue to rise.
Fuel prices in the United Kingdom continue to be significantly higher than they were prior to the pandemic. The current average price for petrol stands at 142.9p per litre, while diesel stands at 151.3p.
In contrast to 2019, the current cost of refuelling a 55-litre average family car is £12.10 more expensive for petrol-powered vehicles and £11.70 more expensive for diesel-powered vehicles.
The average cost of auto insurance for the majority of motorists increased by 25% in the past year, from £434 in 2022 to £543, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Automobile insurance for the average motorist increased by 12% to £627 in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to the previous three months. This indicates that costs will continue to soar as a result of insurers bearing the burden of rising claims expenses.
Anticipate maintenance and servicing expenses to rise further in 2024.
The most significant challenge of 2024, according to three-quarters of auto repairers surveyed annually by The Motor Ombudsman of independent garages and franchise dealers, is mounting costs.
In addition, inner-city emissions zones are raising transport costs in congested areas.
An example is London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone’s £12.50 daily toll for non-compliant cars and vans. Driving an older vehicle through a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Birmingham costs drivers £8 per day.
Driving License Costs and Demand
The RAC Foundation also highlights the escalating expenses associated with obtaining a driver’s licence.
Driving lessons cost around £2,200, not including car ownership.
According to the research, 17.4% of advertised employment required driving skills in 2017, up from 15.2% in 2016.
The director of the RAC Foundation, Steve Gooding, stated, “Our research indicates that a driver’s licence can be an essential credential.”
“It is not surprising that approximately 45% of all driving tests administered in 2022/23 involved candidates under the age of 20,” according to official data.
“Many job postings that specify a driving requirement are for low-paying industries, such as the caregiving sector.”
“The Chancellor should bear this in mind when formulating policies that affect the financial burden on individuals who are already struggling to afford essential transport and that which affects the cost of driving.”
