I could lose my job next year

Sarastro

I think 10k sounds like a big cushion, especially if benefits restricted above 6k savings as someone said. I'd go for passing the test - seems like a good investment. If you don't lose your job, it doesn't matter as you were planning to do it anyway. If you do lose your job, you will be better placed to find something else. Meantime, start hunting, don't wait for the inevitable. If you do find something else that doesn't require a driver, nothing lost as you (again) were planning to do it anyway and if you find something else that does require it, you've justified the investment. If you lose your job and don't find anything, you will still have your 6k.

Also probably worth doing the whole improve your credit score thing as well if you are looking to get something on finance.

patman99

Defo go with driving lessons. It dosn't matter if you pass you test then don't buy a car for a while (actually, the longer you can go without a car, the more of the first two years in which you can see your licence suspended and a re-test needed, the better).

£10k might be a nice nest egg to tide you over, but it will seriously impact on any benefits you get that are income related.