Driving instructors argue that their rising lesson prices are justified due to increased costs, but learners like Paige Williams—a single mum from Barnsley—are struggling to keep up. She’s cutting back on essentials just to afford her £35-an-hour lessons, highlighting the growing gap between what instructors need to charge and what many can actually pay.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about driving lessons—it’s a snapshot of how rising costs are squeezing everyday people. For many, learning to drive is a gateway to better job opportunities or independence, but when even basic expenses like lessons become a stretch, it’s another barrier for those already on tight budgets. The story reflects a bigger tension: fair wages for workers vs. affordability for those trying to get ahead.