The number of people taking up lessons to get their driving licences is estimated to have dipped by 30 per cent between the period from January to September last year, and the same period the year before.

At least one driving centre has, in recent months, downsized its fleet of cars because of the dip in enrolment.

The rising cost of purchasing a car and Singapore’s declining birth rate are some possible reasons for the decline, say transport analysts and driving instructors.

Between January and September last year, 44,700 provisional driving licences (PDLs) were issued by the Traffic Police. The number stood at 77,000 for the 2009 calendar year. In 2008, 70,400 PDLs were issued.