19 September 2011
Learning to drive better value for money than a degree
AA Driving School has found a third (33%) of people think learning to drive offers better value for money than getting a degree or getting on the property ladder.
Only 18 per cent think getting a degree gives the best value for money. While more than a quarter (26%) think putting down a deposit on a first home offers the best value for money.
We asked: "After leaving school, young people have many important life skills to gain and many of their own priorities for life. With this in mind, which of the following would you describe as the best value for money?"
Driving is important for young people as it brings independence, enhances employment prospects and gives job mobility
Edmund King, AA president
East Midlanders were the least likely to think a degree gives good value for money (13%). And learning to drive was ranked the highest by those in the West Midlands (38%).
Amongst 17-to-25-year-olds*, results showed the perceived value for money offered by a degree decreases with age. 17-to-19-year-olds were twice as likely (46%) to think a degree offered value for money than 23-to-25-year-olds (21%).
Conversely, the perceived value for money of learning to drive increases with age among that demographic from 11 per cent of 17-to-19-year-olds to 15 per cent of 23-to-25-year-olds.
Edmund King, AA President, said: “Getting a degree, buying a home and learning to drive are all key life milestones. Each one helps build an independent and successful life.
“As the cost of university rockets and the housing market remains volatile, it is not surprising that many people think learning to drive offers school leavers the best value for money out of the three options. Driving is important for young people as it brings independence, enhances employment prospects and gives job mobility. In today’s economic climate with greater competition for jobs, having a driving licence, as well as a degree, helps people get on the job ladder.
(30 September 2011)
Survey results from an AA/Populus poll of 11,361 AA members conducted between 17th – 24th August 2011.
*Based on an independent online survey conducted by Research Plus Ltd; 1,030 UK respondents aged 17-25 years old were surveyed between 6th– 9th September 2011.
