BUYING... HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT FIRST CAR FOR YOUR CHILD PAGE 28
OWNING... SIMPLE TIPS TO SAVE MONEY AND AVOID HASSLE PAGE 34
6 LEARNING
Your child is about to start their driving career. We’ll help you to support them, with advice on choosing an instructor and helping with practice between lessons.
16 THE TESTS
You probably took one test when you learned to drive. Now learners must pass a theory test as well as the practical test. Here’s what you need to know...
22 INSURANCE
Insuring a young driver is expensive, but there are ways to make it more affordable. We’ll talk you through learner driver insurance and the advantages of telematics.
28 CAR BUYING
Nobody forgets their first car. Whether you and your child plan to buy new or used, we’ll help you pick a safe and reliable firsttime buy.
34 OWNING
Passing the driving tests is just the start. There’s a lot for a new driver to learn about running a car on a tight budget. We’re here to help.
THE ROAD TO YOUR CHILD’S DRIVING
Your child is starting on one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys of their life. Nothing beats the thrill and freedom of having a full driving licence, but there are plenty of steps along the road first. Over the next few pages we’ll talk you through them.
4 4
UNDER-17 1 1
3 3 DRIVING
2 2
1 UNDER-17 DRIVING
Is their 17th birthday still a few months away? Or maybe it’s years off? Your child can still get behind the wheel, just not on the road. There are loads of young driver schemes all over the country from the likes of youngdriver.eu and under17carclub.co.uk which put younger teenagers in the driving seat on private land. The best schemes place a strong emphasis on road safety as well as car control. Sign up, and your child will be better prepared when they do get on the road.
AS WATERSHED MOMENTS in a teenager’s life go, the 17th birthday has to be right up there. Forget cards and presents or a night out with friends – what they’re probably more excited about is finally being able get behind the wheel of a car on the public road.
To make sure their licence arrives in time for their birthday, it’s possible to apply several months in advance. However, regardless of when it arrives they can’t get behind the wheel until they are 17. Just as importantly, even if they’ve applied for their licence in good time but it fails to arrive before the big day, they can’t start driving until the licence turns up. However, as it should take just one week to arrive if you apply online, or three weeks by post, allowing two months should be more than enough time.
Applying for a provisional driving licence is simplicity itself. Just have your child complete the relevant application form. The one they need is called a D1 form and should be available from most post offices. They’ll also need to hand over the fee. At the time of writing it’s £43, but you can check the current cost by logging on to gov.uk/driving-licence-fees.
Your child doesn’t have to apply for their provisional driving licence through the post though. The online service at gov.uk/ apply-first-provisional-driving-licence is quick and easy. What’s more, it’s cheaper than a postal application, saving £9 at the time of writing. That’s not a huge amount but every penny counts when learning to drive is so expensive.
Learning to drive for THE DISABLED
Having a disability need not be a barrier to learning to drive. There are many modifications and adaptations that can make driving possible.
If your child receives the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) then they can apply for a licence at 16, not 17.
UNDER-17 DRIVING
Although your child can’t legally drive on public roads until they are 17, on private land they can drive at any age. As a result, in recent years there’s been an explosion in under-17 driving opportunities. By starting young they’ll know how a car works when they reach 17, and should be better able to learn about the rules of the road if they can already control a car.
The biggest under-17 driving scheme is Young Driver (youngdriver.eu), launched in 2009 and available at around 60 sites across the UK. Marketing director, Sue Stait, says: “We’re teaching those who are not legally able to be on the road yet, but they get a massive boost when they can control a car safely and can tackle a manoeuvre that even parents might struggle with.”
Safe4Life Driver Training, West Midlands, safe4lifedrivertraining.co.uk
Under 17 Car Club, Various locations, under17-carclub.co.uk
Why do thousands of parents go with Veygo?
Veygo can work out cheaper.
If you’re only occasionally using your car for driving practice, short-term cover could work out cheaper than putting your child on your existing policy. And, there are no admin fees.
Veygo is there for you as long as you need it.
We know there are no guarantees in life, so we have a subscription offer to give you rolling cover as long as you need.
Cancel anytime, with no fees – just like your favourite TV streaming service.
Veygo protects your no claims bonus.
Our flexible car insurance policies run alongside your existing car insurance policy so your no claims bonus won’t be affected if a claim is made.
Veygo can be used for your child’s driving test.
Please bear in mind that the car needs to meet certain legal requirements, which can be found at GOV.UK, and they may be asked to take a copy of their certificate of insurance with them.
Important: If they pass their test, this insurance will no longer be valid. This means they won’t be able to drive home from the test centre. But you can get a quote for our temporary cover if you continue sharing the car.
8 Be sparing with your comments, but problems must be identified while still fresh in the memory. Confidence needs to be built first, though, so don’t forget to praise good driving.
9
Keep calm – shouting won’t help. And don’t get angry if they find constructive criticism hard to take.
10 Make learning enjoyable. You need to keep your cool so that you both enjoy the process. You and your teenager shouldn’t dread getting into the car.
MOTORWAYS
Although motorways are statistically our safest roads, learner drivers haven’t been allowed on them. That all changed a few years back. Learners now have the green light to get to grips with motorway driving before they have passed their practical test.
Will I be able to drive on the motorway with my learner?
No. The rules allow learners onto the motorway, but only in cars with dual-controls and accompanied by an approved driving instructor. So you won’t be able to practise on motorways with your child between professional driving lessons.
Is motorway driving now compulsory for all learner drivers?
There is no requirement for your child to drive
on the motorway if they don’t want to. Depending on where you live it may be impractical. It will be up to you, your child and their instructor to decide whether to drive on the motorway.
Why were the rules changed?
In the words of Road Safety Minister, Andrew Jones: “To allow learner drivers to take lessons on motorways will enable novice drivers to experience the broadest possible range of driving experiences in a supportive environment, helping them to be better, safer drivers.”
TEACHING GOOD HABITS
Learning to drive doesn’t start when your child is 17. It doesn’t even start a few months before, if you book your son or daughter an under-17 driving course. You’re teaching children how to drive from a very early age through the example you set. If they see you checking text messages on the move, gambling at amber lights, or cutting up other drivers, can you really expect them to behave safely and responsibly when they get behind the wheel?
THE THEORY TEST
BEFORE YOUR CHILD can take their practical test they must pass the theory test. Book via the official website at gov.uk/booktheory-test. There are third-party websites through which you can book, but they charge extra fees on top of the £23 cost of the test. However, third-party websites often offer unlimited retests for free. With a pass rate of 44% for the theory test, there’s a good chance of having to retake, so you could save cash. Just check any terms and conditions.
To take the test your child will need to go to a
suitable centre where they’ll be allocated a booth with a computer, along with instructions on how to use it. They will work their way through both parts of the test (multiple-choice questions then the hazard perception section) before being given the results for both tests at the end of the session. To give your learner driver the best chance of passing, encourage them to take the theory test seriously –they won’t be able to bluff their way through it.
To find out more about the theory test visit firstcar.co.uk.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TEST IS OVER?
The examiner will talk your child through any faults. If they make the grade, they’ll be given a pass certificate. They’ll be able to start independent driving immediately – there’s no need to wait for their full licence to arrive. To find out more about the practical test visit firstcar.co.uk.
YOUR CHECKLIST FOR
PRACTICAL TEST
SUCCESS
If your child can put a tick in all these boxes they won’t go far wrong
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
The instructor wouldn’t encourage your child to take the test if they weren’t ready, so encourage self-belief.
GOOD TIMEKEEPING
Allow plenty of time to reach the test centre. Your child’s stress levels will go through the roof if they are running late.
THEIR PROVISIONAL LICENCE
Your child needs to take their provisional licence with them to the test centre. They need their theory test pass certificate too. Don’t let them forget!
SENSIBLE CLOTHES AND FOOTWEAR
Suggest they wear comfortable clothes, and shoes which make it easy for them to operate the pedals safely.
BE WILLING TO LEARN
Just over half of practical tests end with a thumbs down from the examiner. Don’t be surprised if this happens to your child, even if they’ve been flying in their lessons. They’ll be told why they have failed at the end of the test so they can correct what went wrong next time.
HOW TO HELP WITH TEST NERVES
There’s no point in pretending your child won’t be nervous as their tests loom. But there are steps you can both take to prevent nerves taking over.
1 AVOID PEER PRESSURE
If having friends asking about their driving test will make your child nervous, encourage them to keep the test date to themself.
2 PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE
Talk to your instructor and your child about the manoeuvres they have been practising, in particular the
skills they need to improve upon. Then make time so they can practise with you in the passenger seat. Getting a manoeuvre right time after time without the safety net of dual-controls will really help their confidence.
3 REMEMBER, WORRY MAKES IT WORSE
The trouble with worry is that it interferes with concentration. The mind focuses on what might go wrong instead of what needs to be done next. Encourage your child to block negative thoughts and give driving their full attention every time they get behind the wheel.
4 THINK SUCCESSFUL THOUGHTS
The instructor wouldn’t put your teenager in for their test if they didn’t think they were ready. Encourage your child to remember all the times they have successfully tackled tough manoeuvres. If they’ve done these things well before, they can do them again.
5 GO EASY ON THEM
However well they are driving in lessons, your child could still fail. Make sure they understand this isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it will probably make them a better driver in the long run.
Let’s face it – driving lessons aren’t cheap. If you want to maximise your child’s time behind the wheel without maxing out the cost you’ll need to get them some practice in between lessons. That way their confidence and experience will improve much faster. But they’ll have to have insurance!
How much does it cost?
Learners should find cover for around £70 month, or less than £2 per day.
Any restrictions?
Kids won’t be able to borrow their rich uncle’s Range Rover – policies place restrictions on the insurance group and the total value of the car they drive. Typically the highest insurance group allowed will be around group 30-35, and the maximum value of the car somewhere in the region of £30,000 or so.
Anything else I should know?
Policies usually cover learners to drive in one specific vehicle – expect to take out another policy if they want to practise in a second car. There may also be restrictions on the age of whoever is supervising and their driving experience, so an older brother or sister may not have been behind the wheel for long enough. Also, if a young driver has already made a claim due to a crash while learning, they may not be eligible for cover.
TOP TIP
Try to get your child as much practice as you can, at least once a week. Two or three times is even better. It will build their confidence and skills.
them to be the main driver, even if the car is also used by a parent.
What are the drawbacks of telematics insurance? Some policies set curfews that restrict young drivers from getting behind the wheel at night. Whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on your point of view. A teenager may be frustrated they can’t give their mates a lift home from the pub, but a parent may be relieved... Also, just as good driving can be rewarded with a
lower premium, so poor driving can lead to a higher insurance cost – even if the young driver hasn’t had an accident. That’s not universal, though. Some companies are all carrot and no stick, and don’t increase premiums for aggressive driving unless it has led to a claim.
Will my child face any restrictions?
We’ve mentioned curfews, which are actually quite rare. Mileage limits are a lot more common. Generally these are set when the policy is taken
out, and can be extended at extra cost. Some insurers offer bonus mileage as a reward for safe and careful driving.
Is telematics right for me and my young driver?
In most cases, yes. You should be able to find a better price by choosing a telematics policy rather than conventional insurance cover. And it encourages safe driving, too.
To find out more about insurance for young drivers, visit firstcar.co.uk.
THE BEST
USED CARS FOR YOUNG DRIVERS
These cars are good value and cheap to run
HYUNDAI I20
(2015-2020)
Euro NCAP safety rating
Four stars (2015)
Insurance From Group 4
A used Hyundai is a safe bet, especially if you choose the excellent i20. It’s our favourite used car, thanks to an impressive range of talents.
One of the big plus points of choosing the i20 is the transferable fiveyear warranty. Even as the second or third owner, cover continues until the car is five years old with no mileage limitation. So depending on the age of the i20 you are thinking of buying, your new
driver may be protected against any unexpected bills.
There’s a good chance they won’t have to claim on the warranty, given how reliable Hyundais are. The i20 performs really well in reliability surveys and owner satisfaction studies, and if problems do crop up the car is usually cheap to repair.
The Hyundai has a fourstar rating from the safety experts at Euro NCAP, and while some rivals go one better with the full five stars, a score of four out of five is still very respectable.
From the driver’s seat, the i20 is very easy to get on with – just what you want from a first car. The light controls make for easy
manoeuvring, and the soft suspension makes the i20 very comfortable.
It’s practical as well as comfy. Passengers won’t feel cramped in the back seats, and the boot is big enough for festival camping gear. It also makes a very good car for anyone with a young family to take care of.
There’s a choice of petrol and diesel engines. The diesels are best for fuel economy, but you'll be able to afford a newer, lower mileage car if you stick with petrol. The 75PS 1.2-litre petrol is the cheapest, achieves decent fuel economy, and sits in Group 4 for insurance. That should make for an reasonable premium.
KIA PICANTO
(2017-)
Euro NCAP safety rating
Three stars/Four stars with safety pack
Insurance From Group 4
At The Parent’s Guide, we’ve always been big fans of the Kia Picanto. It’s great value as a used car and, thanks to impressive
fuel economy and low cost insurance, it will be cheap to run. The Picanto is cheerful as well as cheap, with good looks, a nippy drive, and lots of equipment.
The little Kia is reliable, while the seven-year warranty should guard against unexpected bills.
There are plenty around, so you and your child can be picky about colour and spec.
SKODA CITIGO
(2011-2019)
Euro NCAP safety rating Three stars (2019)
Insurance From Group 1
Take off the Skoda badges, and the Citigo is much the same car as the Volkswagen Up. You get the same cheap-to-run, fun-
to-drive car, but expect to pay a little less than you would for a VW. There’s more space inside than you’d think from the outside, and the Skoda is extremely reliable.
Look for an early car, and used prices start from under £3000. That's a keen price for such a dependable first car. More recent examples are still good value.
what you need to
LONDON’S ULTRA LOW EMISSIONS ZONE (ULEZ) expanded on 29 August 2023. From this date on it has covered all London boroughs.
If your child lives in London, or plans to head into the capital, they will be charged unless their car meets the required emissions standard:
❏ A petrol car must meet the Euro 4 standard (NOx)
❏ A diesel car must meet Euro 6 (NOx and particulate matter)
❏ Electric cars are exempt.
You can check if a car meets the standard by entering the reg at tfl. gov.uk/modes/driving/ check-your-vehicle.
If your child drives an older car that doesn’t meet the standard they can still drive in London, but will have to pay £12.50 per day. That’s on top of the Congestion Charge, which is £15 per day.
Many other cities have low emissions zones. If there’s one where you live, check what the requirements are and don’t buy a car unless you know it’s green enough to avoid any daily charge.
, 518
OF PRIZES TO BE WON
Enter for free to win one of 2,473 instant prizes worth over £51,000. Everyone’s automatically entered into our annual ‘Win A Car’ prize draw to win a brand-new Renault Clio worth £19,395 in partnership with Veygo.
Veygo offers flexible car insurance for learners, newly qualified and experienced drivers. Whether you own your own car or you’re borrowing someone else’s, you can get cover in minutes for as little or as long as you need.
INSTANT PRIZES INCLUDE
X 360 Official DVSA Theory Test Kit subscriptions
X 1,000 BOTB £5 Vouchers
X 200 annual subscriptions to onlinedrivinglessons.co.uk
Toyo Tires
X 180 Confident Drivers’ Nervous driver’s calming kit
X 1 8 TomTom sat navs
X 600 Driving Theory Test 4 in 1 apps
X 4 se ts of Toyo Tires
X 80 £20, £30 or £40 vouchers towards Road Angel dash cams
X 20 Retroscents assorted car air fresheners
... look after a car. Following these simple tips will help your new driver to stay safe and save money!
HOW TO...
CHOOSE BREAKDOWN COVER HOW TO...
It makes sense to have cover in case a car breaks down, as even simple faults can be costly to fix. Don’t just go for the cheapest breakdown policy, though. Here’s what to look for...
● Make sure the package covers everything your child needs. Some include homestart (fixing the car if it breaks down at home), some don’t.
● Don’t pay for something your child won’t use. There’s no point in having European cover if your new driver never expects to leave the UK.
● If your child drives more than one car, consider a breakdown package that covers them personally rather than a specific car.
