Four in five consider refresher lessons

Almost 80% of drivers would consider a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson in at least some circumstances
More than one in five would consider professional help if a collision knocked their confidence behind the wheel
Gold and Platinum AA Insurance customers involved in a collision can be offered a two-hour Driver Confidence session with AA Driving School
“Sometimes the most valuable thing you can give an experienced driver is reassurance about what they’re already doing well” Ian Stinchcombe, AA Driving School instructor

Almost four in five* (79%) drivers would consider taking a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson, new research by AA Insurance reveals.

Just 21% say there are no circumstances in which they would consider taking professional support to refresh their driving skills or boost their confidence behind the wheel.

A collision can be a significant trigger, with more than one in five (22%) saying they would consider a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson if a collision affected their confidence.

Why drivers would consider a refresher driving lesson

The survey asked drivers in which circumstances, if any, they would consider taking a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson:

Reason for considering a refresher or driver-confidence lesson	%
If family or friends raised concerns about my driving	28%
To refresh my knowledge of the Highway Code and changes to road rules	23%
If a collision affected my confidence behind the wheel	22%
After not driving for a long period	19%
As I get older and want reassurance about my driving	17%
To correct bad driving habits I may have picked up	16%
I would not consider taking a refresher or driver-confidence lesson	21%

More than a quarter (26%) of men say they would not consider taking a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson in any of the circumstances listed, more than twice the 12% of women who say the same.

Drivers can spend decades on the road after passing their test without ever having their driving professionally observed again. During that time, roads, vehicles and rules can change, while drivers can develop habits or become less familiar with skills they rarely use.

A collision can also affect how someone feels when they next get behind the wheel, even when nobody is injured and the physical damage to their vehicle can be repaired.

Rebuilding driving confidence after a collision

AA Insurance supports drivers following a collision, helping them through the process of getting back on the road.

As part of that support, Gold and Platinum AA Insurance customers involved in a collision can be offered a two-hour Driver Confidence session with AA Driving School.

The session gives drivers time with a professional driving instructor to discuss any concerns and concentrate on areas where they would like to improve their skills or confidence. It is not another driving test and can be tailored to the individual driver.

Older Driving Lesson

Taking a Driver Confidence lesson almost 30 years after passing

The AA's Gareth Jones recently took up the offer following a minor collision, almost 30 years after passing his driving test. After initially feeling apprehensive about having his driving professionally assessed for the first time in decades, he spent two hours on the road with an AA Driving School instructor to see what habits he had picked up and what he could improve.

Read Gareth's experience of taking a Driver Confidence session. Driver Confidence Blog | AA

Supporting drivers after a collision

Mark Bowden, from AA Insurance Services, said: "A collision can be an unsettling experience, and its impact isn't always limited to damage to the vehicle. Even after a relatively minor incident, drivers can find their confidence has taken a knock when they next get behind the wheel.

"This survey shows more than one in five drivers would consider professional help if a collision affected their confidence. That's why the support Accident Assist provides doesn't necessarily stop when the vehicle is being dealt with.

"Gold and Platinum AA Insurance customers involved in a collision can be offered a two-hour Driver Confidence session with AA Driving School, helping them get back behind the wheel with additional support if they need it."

Refresher lessons for experienced drivers

Mark Born, Head of Training at AA Driving School, said: "Almost four in five drivers being open to a refresher lesson shows that learning doesn't necessarily stop when you pass your test.

"Roads, vehicles and the Highway Code change over time, while drivers can develop habits or simply find there are parts of driving they don't encounter very often.

"Driver Confidence sessions can be tailored to the individual, whether they want to brush up on particular skills, return to driving after some time away or simply feel more confident behind the wheel."

What an AA Driving School instructor says about refresher lessons

Ian Stinchcombe, AA Driving School instructor, said: "I've taught drivers of all ages and levels of experience, and a refresher lesson isn't about putting someone who has been driving for years through their test again.

"There are certain times when having an instructor alongside you can be particularly useful, such as after a collision has affected your confidence, if you haven't driven for a while or as you get older and want some reassurance about your driving.

"People can understandably feel apprehensive at first, particularly if it's been decades since they last had a driving instructor sitting next to them. My job isn't to catch them out or look for reasons to criticise. It's to see how they drive, listen to what they want from the session and help them with the areas where they would benefit from some support.

"Sometimes the most valuable thing you can give an experienced driver isn't a long list of things they're doing wrong. It's reassurance about what they're already doing well, alongside a few things they can think about or improve."

* Yonder received 12,213 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 10 and 16 September 2026. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Questions and Answers

What is a driving refresher lesson?

A driving refresher lesson gives someone who already holds a driving licence the opportunity to spend time with a professional driving instructor to refresh their skills, build confidence and get feedback on their driving. It is not another driving test and can be tailored to the individual driver.

Who can benefit from a driving refresher lesson?

Refresher lessons can help drivers in a range of circumstances. AA polling found drivers would consider one if family or friends raised concerns about their driving (28%), to refresh their knowledge of the Highway Code and changes to road rules (23%), or if a collision affected their confidence behind the wheel (22%). Drivers also cited returning to driving after a long break (19%), getting older (17%) and correcting bad habits (16%).

Can a driving lesson help after a collision?

A professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson can give drivers an opportunity to rebuild their confidence following a collision. More than one in five (22%) drivers surveyed by The AA said they would consider professional support if a collision affected their confidence behind the wheel.

What is an AA Driver Confident session?

A Driver Confident session gives an experienced driver time with an AA Driving School instructor to discuss any concerns, have their driving professionally observed and work on areas where they would like additional support or confidence.

Does AA Insurance offer driving lessons after a collision?

AA Insurance customers involved in a collision can be offered a two-hour Driver Confident session with AA Driving School as part of the support available following an incident.

Is a driving refresher lesson the same as retaking your driving test?

No. A refresher lesson is not another driving test. The instructor can look at how someone drives and provide feedback, reassurance and practical support based on their individual needs.

Should experienced drivers consider refresher lessons?

There is no set number of years after passing a driving test when someone should take a refresher lesson. AA Driving School instructor Ian Stinchcombe says they can be particularly useful after a collision has affected someone's confidence, when returning to driving after a long break, or as drivers get older and want reassurance about their driving.

Do drivers think refresher lessons are worthwhile?

Almost four in five (79%) drivers surveyed by AA Insurance would consider taking a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson in at least some circumstances. Just 21% said they would not consider one in any of the circumstances listed.

Are men and women equally likely to consider a driving refresher?

The AA survey found a difference between men and women. More than a quarter (26%) of men said they would not consider taking a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson in any of the circumstances listed, compared with 12% of women.

Can experienced drivers pick up bad driving habits?

Driving habits and routines can develop over many years behind the wheel, while some skills may be used less frequently than others. In the AA survey, 16% of drivers said they would consider a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson specifically to correct bad driving habits they may have picked up.