IAM say young motorists are being priced out of driving

According to road safety charity the IAM, learning to drive for young motorists can cost them more than their modest average income, with insurance being the highest proportion of cost when learning to drive. When IAM visited a popular price comparison site, the cheapest insurance quote available to a 17-year-old male driver in full-time employment is £7,868.38. The cheapest quote with a telematics box is £4, 464.69. IAM figure that in 2009, the average full-time salary for 16-17 year olds was £9300 and compared to now, salaries have actually gone down by about 9%. What makes it difficult for young drivers is how the cost of learning to drive has not gone down to match salaries. IAM calculate that it costs on average, £12,345.23 to start driving, but the average young person’s wages have fallen to well below this, meaning they may now have to forego driving until later or ask parents to help with the start up costs. IAM have also included a handy breakdown of the costs associated with young drivers, see below.

A breakdown of additional costs not including insurance is:

• 2007 1.1l Kia Picanto, £3000


• Theory and practical driving tests, £106


• Provisional and full UK driving license, £100


• Tax and MOT, £189.85


• Average number of driving lessons to pass, £1081


• Fuel and maintenance, £600

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “The expense of learning to drive may affect young people’s chances of getting a job, especially in rural areas where it is essential to get to work, creating a vicious cycle. The challenge faced by the government, insurance companies and road safety experts is striking a balance between much-needed experience and manageable costs.”

The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. To read more, please view the IAM article in its entirety by clicking here.