Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 hr ago
Rising fuel costs push French driving schools to raise lesson prices
Driving schools across France are facing much higher fuel bills as fuel prices rise amid wars in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine.
The country has about 12,000 driving schools, and their vehicles can travel up to 60,000 kilometres a year.
Schools say their fuel costs have increased by 30% to 40%, while their usual profit on a lesson is only about 2 to 4 euros.
Some have already started raising prices, and a September estimate put the expected increase in the cost of a driving licence at 150 to 200 euros on a package that currently costs 1,600 euros.
This matters because a driving licence can help young people, especially those seeking work in regional areas, and about 36% of 18- to 24-year-olds in France do not have one.
Schools can save fuel through eco-driving lessons or simulators, but simulator use is limited to ten hours, and switching to electric cars requires a major investment.
They are calling on the government for temporary aid, while making their fleets greener is presented as a longer-term answer.
Rising fuel costs are putting pressure on driving schools across France and have led some to raise lesson prices.
Fuel supply costs have increased by an average of 30% to 40% since the start of the crisis, according to franceinfo.
Some schools have seen their annual fuel budgets rise by €10,000 since January.
A September mobility-sector barometer estimated that driving-licence packages could rise by €150 to €200 from a current price of €1,600.
Driving schools say fuel-saving measures can help, but are calling for temporary state aid as they face higher costs.
- Who
- Driving schools across France, which use their cars for lessons.
- What
- Rising fuel costs are squeezing their finances, and some schools are raising lesson prices.
- When
- The article was published on 12 October 2026; it says fuel costs have risen since the start of the crisis.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- Fuel supply costs have risen by an average of 30% to 40%, while schools typically have very low profit margins on lessons.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Some driving schools have seen their fuel budgets rise by €10,000 over the first nine months of the year.
Wimoov’s mobility-sector barometer estimated that driving-licence packages could rise by €150 to €200.
franceinfo reported that rising fuel costs were putting pressure on driving schools and that lesson price increases had begun.
- Driving schools in France
- About 12,000
- Fuel costs
- Up 30% to 40% on average since the start of the crisis
- Budget increase
- Up to €10,000 for some schools since January
- Current package price
- €1,600
- Estimated price rise
- €150 to €200 per driving-licence package
Sources
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