The percentage of cars on UK roads is just 3 per cent below pre-pandemic levels , Apple Mobility Trends data showed.
Walkers were also out more in recent weeks, and the percentage of those making journeys on foot is now only 11 per cent lower than in January 2020.
Public transport lags behind, however, with 31 per cent fewer people opting to share their travelling space with others.
"I think it's unsurprising to see overall car usage across the UK back to pre-Covid levels," said Ben Foulser, head of mobility at KPMG.
He cited the recent loosening of coronavirus restrictions as instrumental in getting people back behind the wheel.
"People wanted to get out and about over the Easter holiday period.
"When you tell people they can go and see friends and family in the garden, they will do it – and in the majority of cases they will drive there."
But Mr Foulser conceded that the trend began in January when lockdown was still in full swing.
"I think part of it will be increased confidence in travelling," he said, which he ascribed to the UK's vaccination programme and a feeling that the public's actions are less scrutinised by authorities than they were last year.
More people back in cars and fewer on public transport certainly bodes well for an under-the-pump automotive industry and the wider economy.
"In the end, there needs to be some sort of normality or people will question why they still have cars," said Steve Young, managing director of automotive analysts ICDP.
The pairing of a resurgence in car use and the UK's commitment to banning sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 is incompatible. The importance of public transport use reviving is manifest.
The next few months will be telling as to whether it remains in the Covid doldrums or makes a recovery, Mr Young said.
Even in London, where public transport infrastructure is sprawling and comprehensive, Apple data showed that throughout the pandemic levels of use fell well below pre-pandemic norms.
Mr Foulser is optimistic that public transport will recover but said that the government must embark on a PR campaign to reassure people that it is "a clean and appropriate way of getting around".
He raised an important caveat about the Apple data, which is based on requests to Apple Maps software: many people making regular journeys on public transport do not require it.
This could explain why in the first few months of 2020 there was a spike in the percentage of people walking as they became accustomed to new routes using neither cars nor public transport.
Apple data also revealed the challenges of national policymaking when trends across the UK's regions differ so markedly.
In Glasgow car use currently exceeds pre-Covid levels by 6 per cent.
Compare this with Bristol where it is 19 per cent below normal.
Mr Foulser believes such disparities can be assigned to a combination of employment and demographic characteristics.
"Cities like London have big services industries where people can work from home a lot more, unlike in Glasgow, where there is more manual industry forcing people to go work."
But whether in London or Glasgow, Mr Foulser is clear on the challenge faced by the UK government: getting people to share transport again.
"You can't sustain low levels of public transport use on a revenue basis – the taxpayer can't sustain it."
The UK's secession from the EU is also a factor.
"Given Brexit, we need to think in terms of freeing up road space for logistics which need to be as efficient as possible," he said.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
SQUADS
Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed
Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran
Last five meetings
2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil
2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil
1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil
1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil
1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil
Note: All friendlies
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Aahid Al Khalediah II, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Whistle, Harry Bentley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup - Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alsaied, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mumayaza, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
8pm: President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Medahim, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
