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.

Taking a Driver Confident 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

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.