02/01/12 - Old age Learners

LEARNING to drive is not just for 19-year-olds but nonagenarians too, it has been revealed.

Official figures show that there are as many as 48 drivers in their 90s who have provisional licences, with the oldest being 98.

And there are more than 10,000 people aged over 70 who are learners, figures obtained from licensing organisation the DVLA by the Co-operative Motor Group showed.

London has the highest number of 70-plus learners, with around 1,000. Next is Birmingham with 413, followed by Sheffield (233), Liverpool (228), Manchester (201), Glasgow (175) and Cardiff (162).

Unsurprisingly, the largest age group for learning to drive are those in their teens and 20s (42.45%), while those in their 30s make up 20%, with the 40-somethings accounting for 18.5%, those in their 50s making up 11.45% and those in their 60s comprising 7.4%. 5Day have had pupils from all groups. Learners use intensive courses as well as regular lessons

All told, there are more than seven million drivers in the UK with provisional licences.

The Co-operative Motor Group managing director Tony Guest said: "While it is widely documented that many of us are living longer and increasingly productive lives, it was nevertheless quite surprising to see so many learner drivers in their 70s and indeed older.

"However, as long as you are fit and healthy there is no reason whatsoever that you cannot continue to enjoy motoring well into later life."