LEARNING TO DRIVE is an exciting but nervous time for teenagers and their parents. If anything, it can be harder on mum and dad, as
the chances are you’ll foot the bill for lessons, insurance and maybe even a first car. Then there’s the worry of using the family wheels for practice as your child gets to grips with the basics of driving. Even the closest parent-child relationship can be put under strain with a teenager behind the wheel and mum or dad in the passenger seat...
Any parent wants to support their child in learning to drive safely and effectively. That’s where the Learning to Drive – The Parent’s Guide comes in. We’ll show you how to help your child become a safe and responsible driver. From choosing the right instructor to making the most of practice to finding affordable insurance cover, this guide is full of practical advice.
So, good luck to you and your learner driver. Here’s to making the start of their driving career a safe and happy one.
David Motton EditorTHE TEAM
Publisher: James Evans
Editor: David Motton
Head of digital: Richard Borges
Commercial director: Richard Storrs
Art director: Caroline Creighton-Metcalf
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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.
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...
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.
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 first-time buy.
Some simple DIY maintenance can save money. More importantly, regular checks will help your child to stay safe out on the road.
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
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UNDER-17
3 3 DRIVING
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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.
Nobody can jump straight into a car on their 17th birthday without having a provisional licence first. Don’t wait until the big day – your child can apply long before they turn 17. It’s easy to make an online application if they have a Government Gateway ID or otherwise fill out a D1 form which can be collected from the Post Office. Turn the page for more on applying for a provisional licence.
If you want to give your child the best chance of passing first time, you’ll want to find a really good instructor. Practising with relatives is important, but it’s no substitute for expert instruction from a professional. Turn to page 10 to find out more.
Before your child can take their practical test they have to pass the theory test. There are two parts, one with multiplechoice questions and one assessing their ability to spot hazards. Want to know more? Turn to page 16.
Has your child passed the theory test? Well done, but there’s still another hoop to jump through before they have their full licence: the practical test. This takes place on the public road with an examiner in the passenger seat and will last around 40 minutes. We’ll talk you through the practical test in more detail on page 18.
Passing the practical test isn’t the end of the road – it’s the beginning. Drivers never stop learning, and post-test training such as the Pass Plus scheme can really help guide young drivers through their first months on the road.
Drivers can learn on the road once they are 17, so long as they have a provisional licence
Once your child has their licence, it’s automatically theirs until the age of 70. But they will have to renew it every 10 years. They’ll no longer receive a paper counterpart; there’s just the photocard portion of the licence. The photo will be updated when they renew.
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.
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.
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 have a better feel for how a car works when they reach 17, and will hopefully be better able to learn about hazard perception and 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 more than 50 sites across the UK. The programme’s Kim Stanton comments: “At Young Driver, we strongly believe that catching youngsters when their attitudes towards driving are still developing is the key to producing a safer driver.”
Some other schemes are listed below.
Bennetts, Gloucestershire, bennettsdrivingschool.com
Castle Combe Startline, Wiltshire, castlecombecircuit.co.uk
Cats Eyes Driving School, Vale of Glamorgan, catseyesdrivingschool.co.uk
DriveB4Uturn17, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, driveb4uturn17.co.uk
Drive Safe, Lincolnshire, under17-drivinglessons.co.uk
Driving Ambition, Northamptonshire, drivingambitionbrackley.info
Gold, The Driving Academy, Dorset, golddriving.co.uk
Pro Scot, Fife, pro-scot.com
S.L.Y.D.E, Essex, slydeyoungdriver.co.uk
Under 17 Car Club, Various locations, under17-carclub.co.uk
Wunda Wheels, Lanarkshire, wundawheels.co.uk
S THE PARENT of a learner driver it is really important you find the right driving instructor. To help you find the ideal person to teach your teenager, the DVSA has improved its ‘find driving schools, lessons and instructors’ service.
You can now search the database of more than 26,000 approved instructors by the grade awarded to them by the DVSA. Instructors can add links to their website or Facebook page. This will help you find more detailed information, whether the instructor provides a photo
for security, whether they provide lessons for learners with a special need, the instructor’s availability/ working pattern and the price of lessons.
To find the best driving instructor for your child go to www.gov.uk/find-drivingschools-and-lessons
1 Is the instructor fully qualified (an ADI)?
2 If they are a PDI (an instructor who is still in training) will I pay less?
3 If I sign up for a course and my child doesn’t get on with the instructor, can we change to another?
4 Will my child get the same instructor and car for each of their lessons?
5 How long is each lesson? Can we choose 60, 90 or 120-minute sessions?
6 Is the instructor CRB checked? Are all the school’s instructors checked in this way?
7 Are there apps or online tools included in the price of lessons?
8 Will my child get help with passing both parts of the theory test?
9 Do you offer post-test training to improve my child’s skills after passing?
GO BY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION– ask other parents what they think of their child’s instructor.
You're paying a lot for an expert to teach your child to drive, so be sure they make the most of their time. Here's how:
● ENCOURAGE REST
Try to persuade your child to get a good night’s sleep before each lesson. A big night out before a morning lesson is a bad idea – they need to be alert and sober.
● KEEP ENERGY UP
It’s a good habit for your
learner to eat and drink before each lesson to boost their energy levels.
● GO LONG
When booking their lessons, think about 90-minute or two-hour sessions. They’ll have more time to get into a rhythm than if the lesson lasts an hour.
● TEACHER KNOWS BEST Instructors know what they are talking about, so encourage your child to pay close attention in lessons.
The FirstCar Awards celebrate the best products, apps and services for new drivers. Here are some of this year’s winners...
APP OF THE YEAR: DRIVING THEORY TEST 4 IN 1 KIT Within this one app, learners can revise with full confidence they have everything they need for the latest theory test – including hazard perception, The Highway Code, and road signs.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
● My Theory Test by James May
Help your child by allowing them to practise in between lessons. But make sure you stay below the level of difficulty your learner has reached with their instructor.
● ASK QUESTIONS
Talk to your child’s instructor about how the lessons are going, and what your child is learning. That way you can better support lessons with practice in the family car.
● TomTom GO Navigation
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: NEXTBASE
622GW 4K DASH CAM
This dash cam is packed with great features – 4k image quality with stabilisation and night vision, Alexa voice control, and integrated what3words, to name just a few. Having a dash cam could mean a discount on your young driver’s first insurance premium.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
● BriteAngle LED
Warning Triangle
● Road Angel Pure
YOUNG DRIVER INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR: JACK MASSEY WELSH
Jack’s channel is focused on his journey owning and testing his Tesla. He’s created tonnes of content on his YouTube channel and has quite a following.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
● Francis Noakes
● Johnny Brighton
Caitlin Huddleston was a front seat passenger in a car driven by her friend who had recently passed her driving test. With another friend in the back seat of the car, they were travelling on the A595 in Cumbria, to a local restaurant for an evening meal, when the newly qualified driver lost control of the car on a bend in the road and collided into a van. Neither driver was speeding but the road was wet. The Coroner put the crash down to the inexperience of the newly qualified driver. The third person in the car and the van driver were both severely injured in the crash. Caitlin was just 18 when she died. Her mother, Sharron, has imagined what warning Caitlin would now give to newly qualified drivers, their passengers and their parents if she could...
Hi! Congratulations on passing your test, I didn’t quite get around to mine...
When I was 18 I was applying for my provisional licence when one evening I accepted a lift from my 18-year-old friend. She was a novice driver... like you are now!
All the research on novice drivers and rural roads was proven right on that evening. If my parents or I had known this life-saving information, I wonder what I would be doing now?
My parents often wonder this. Unfortunately we will never know... I was tragically killed as a passenger in a fatal car crash on a rural road just 15 minutes after being picked up from my family home... So now I am forever 18.
I was looking forward that summer to going to my first music festival.... I had everything ready to go... but I was buried in my local churchyard on that day instead. Don’t ever think it won’t happen to you! My parents didn’t think it would happen to me. How wrong we were. Please share the advice on these pages with your family and friends to raise awareness among young newly qualified drivers and their parents and carers to help save young lives on our roads.
Please take care driving so you have a future. Mine was taken from me.
DID YOU KNOW THAT:
Some 71% of fatal crashes involving young drivers happen on rural roads. Yet eight in ten drivers (86%) underestimate the risk driving poses to their safety.
Road crashes are a bigger threat to young people than drugs, gun, and knife crime. Young drivers who follow Caitlin’s tips will be safer driving on country roads.
● Gain experience with
The Caitlin’s Hour radio show celebrated her life, and warned young people of the dangers of driving on rural roads. You can listen by going to TheAA.com and searching “AA Trust”.
your driving instructor or parents on rural roads in different weather conditions even after passing your test.
● With every extra sameage passenger, you are four times more likely to have a crash, potentially killing yourself and your friends, compared to driving alone.
● Consider not giving friends a lift until you have gained experience.
● As a passenger only travel with drivers with experience that you trust.
● Remember fatal crashes are more likely late at night or early in the morning.
● Take it easy, and slow
down before bends.
● Drive more slowly in bad weather – the speed limit isn’t a target.
● Expect the unexpected – there could be a walker, cyclist, tractor, or animal around every corner.
● Always be ready to stop in the distance you can see to be safe.
● Value your life as youth and inexperience puts you more at risk behind the wheel.
● Look at the AA’s interactive map to understand dangerous roads near you. Avoid them or take extra care.
https://bit.ly/3BNBEAP
Unless you are a qualified ADI, then you are almost certainly not the best person to teach your child to drive. But that doesn’t mean you won’t play an important role in helping your teenager to become a safe and responsible driver. Time spent practising between professional lessons can reinforce what your child has been learning. This is best done by working as a team with the instructor, and doing your best not to pass on any bad habits you may have developed. Try following these tips:
1 Parents should read a current copy of The Highway Code and work with their child on the theory exam.
2 Plan before you set out. Choose a suitable area and route, and know what you want to achieve before you get behind the wheel.
3 Use quiet roads until your child is confident, especially in traffic.
4 Stay below the level they’ve reached with their driving instructor.
5 Avoid carrying passengers – they’re a potential distraction.
6 Work with a professional instructor who tells you what your child is being taught and what techniques are being used. Then you won’t give conflicting advice.
7 A learner driver is not ready for all the challenges of the road, so you must be aware of the hazards around you. Constantly anticipate other road users and be ready to spot trouble your child has missed.
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.
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 have the changes happened?
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.”
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?
Although motorways are statistically our safest roads, learner drivers haven’t been allowed on them. That all changed on 4 June 2018. Learners now have the green light to get to grips with motorway driving before they have passed their practical 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 48% 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.
There’s a stack of aids to help your child get through their theory test. The apps here are a good start. The official theory test questions aren’t published anywhere, but the DVSA does publish The Official DVSA Theory Test for Car Drivers, and a similar title for motorcyclists. These feature hundreds of official revision questions, plus case studies on every topic, along with info to help understand and remember the theory. There are loads of real-life photos and diagrams, plus links to online resources and videos where your child can learn more. They’ll also need to study The Official Highway Code. Order a copy for your child from tsoshop.co.uk.
Because this was created by the same people who set the theory and practical driving tests, you’re not going to find a more useful app, and at £4.99 it’s a bargain.
This app from Webrich Software is user-friendly, interactive and your child can challenge their mates for some added fun. The full bank of questions costs £2.99, so this app is very good value for money.
Practise every official revision question from the DVSA with this app. Available for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire devices. View the full range of apps at theorytestapp.co.uk
Your child must spot hazards like this, early
Passed the theory test? Then the practical test is all that stands between your child and their full driving licence
HOW LONG IS THE DRIVING TEST?
They’ll spend around 40 minutes behind the wheel, driving on a variety of roads.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THEY START DRIVING?
First of all, they’ll need to show they can see well enough to drive. That means reading a numberplate from 20 metres away (or 20.5 metres if it’s an old-style numberplate). If they can’t, the test will be over before it has really started, so remind your child to wear contact lenses or glasses if they need them to see clearly.
They’ll also be asked a ‘tell me’ question, such as “How would you check the headlights and tail lights are operating correctly?” They don’t need to make the check, just prove to the examiner that they know how it’s done. It will help if you can practise these questions with your child in the weeks before their test.
If they get the ‘tell me’ question wrong they’ll have notched up a driving fault.
Any more than 15 minor faults results in failure.
WHAT CAN THEY EXPECT WHILE DRIVING?
For 20 minutes out of the 40 they’ll be driving independently. That means following road signs or a sat nav to a destination. They won’t have to enter the destination into the sat nav –the examiner will do that for them. They shouldn’t worry if they take a wrong turn, what’s really important is that they drive safely and legally.
They’ll be asked a ‘show me’ question while driving. It could be as simple as showing how they would turn on the rear demister, or wash and clean the windscreen.
As well as making a hill start, pulling out from behind a parked car, and making a normal stop at the side of the road, they may need to make an emergency stop. They’ll also need to carry out one of three reversing manoeuvres. If you can supervise lots of reversing practice before the test that will be a big help.
HOW GOOD DO THEY NEED TO BE TO PASS?
They need to prove that they are safe and competent – the examiner is not expecting perfection.
Any dangerous fault during the test means failure, but up to 15 minor mistakes are allowed. So they shouldn’t panic if they make the odd small mistake.
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.
The instructor wouldn’t encourage your child to take the test if they weren’t ready, so encourage self-belief.
Allow plenty of time to reach the test centre. Your child’s stress levels will go through the roof if they are running late.
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!
Suggest they wear comfortable clothes, and shoes which make it easy for them to operate the pedals safely.
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.
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.
If having friends asking about their driving test will make your child nervous, encourage them to keep the test date to themself.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Theory Test App from Driving Test Success allows your child to practise every official 2021 revision question from the DVSA. It’s great for practising on the move. There’s more attheorytestapp.co.uk
If your child didn’t pass their theory test, help them come back stronger by using learning aids such as apps to improve their knowledge. If they’ve failed the practical, discuss what went wrong and help them improve on any areas of weakness.
Failing the practical test can be a real blow to a young driver’s confidence, and they may be tempted to take a break from learning. Don’t let them take more than a few days off. They shouldn’t be allowed to get rusty, or to put off facing their nerves indefinitely. Be supportive, understanding and encouraging. It will give them a lift to know you are in their corner.
Anyone who passes first time is very proud of the fact. But did you know there’s plenty of evidence that people who fail their first practical test actually go on to be better, safer drivers? That’s because the extra practice and instruction will improve their skills, and delay the moment at which they are exposed to the risks of independent driving. So failing may seem like a big deal at the time, but help your child understand that, statistically, it’s going to make them a safer driver.
Instructors don’t set their pupils up to fail, so if they felt your child was good enough before they should be ready for a re-test. Allow time to work on weaknesses but book another test soon.
Learner driver insurance covers a young driver to practise in someone else’s car, most likely their parents’. Instead of being added to your insurance and bumping up your premium, they have their own policy.
How long does cover last?
It varies. Some insurers will ask learners to sign up for at least 30 days, others offer daily policies or will even cover youngsters for just a few hours.
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Why do they need it?
Well, insurance is a legal requirement, so they need to be covered one way or the other. Plus there are advantages to having a learner driver policy. Adding a learner as a named driver to your car insurance can be expensive compared with arranging separate cover. What’s more, if they do have a mishap, they can claim on their own policy, not yours, which should help keep the peace if they have a prang in the family car.
If
they have a mishap they can claim on their own policy, not yours, which should keep the peace if they have a prang”
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.
Try to get your child as much practice as you can, at least once a week. Two or three times is even better. It’ll build their confidence and skills.
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!
Black box cover could make insurance more affordable – and improve your child’s driving too!
Insurance is one of the most painful things about being a young driver –or a young driver’s parent, if you’re paying the premium. According to the Quotezone comparison site, the average annual car insurance premium for a 17-21 year old driver is £948.95. Telematics (or ‘black box’) insurance is one way to reduce the price of cover and encourage good driving habits at the same time.
What is telematics insurance?
If you and your child opt for a telematics policy, a ‘black box’ is fitted to their car. This combines a GPS unit, a motion sensor and a SIM card to transmit data. It detects where the car is, how fast it is being driven, and how violently the car is accelerating, braking and cornering.
How is the data used?
The information the black box collects is fed back to the insurer, and used to reassess the young driver’s premium at regular intervals.
Obeying the speed limit, avoiding harsh acceleration and braking, and driving at low-risk times of day can all contribute to a reduced bill.
In some cases there are other forms of reward or special offers for safe and responsible driving. This could mean extra miles are added to a limited mileage policy, or the driver receives vouchers and free gifts.
Can youngsters check how well they are driving?
Yes. Telematics insurance providers usually have a portal or app through which drivers can see if their driving is up to standard. By checking back regularly they can tell if they are improving or slipping into bad habits.
Are parents also able to see driving scores?
Typically any named driver will have access to the feedback scores, so if you are named on the policy you’ll be able to see how well your child is doing.
Some insurers have found that simply knowing that mum or dad can see their
Insuring your son or daughter to drive the family car is one way to get them cover, but with their own car and policy they’ll build a No Claims Discount.
feedback improves young people’s driving.
Can I have a telematics policy with my child as the named driver?
There are plenty of telematics insurance providers who insure older drivers as well as youngsters. But don’t be tempted to name yourself as the main driver unless you really are going to do most of the miles. If your insurer finds out that you’ve fibbed about who is really the main user of the car, then you’ve committed fraud. It could invalidate your insurance cover.
Also, if your child isn’t the main driver on the policy then they won’t build up their own No Claims Discount. So in the long run it’s best for
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.
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For one thing, every Yaris is a hybrid, with the promise of small fuel bills and low carbon dioxide emissions. It should be cheaper to fuel than most superminis.
You get plenty of kit for your cash, too, including autonomous emergency braking. It’s super-reliable, and looks good too!
As a parent, grandparent, or a concerned family friend you will always be worried about a younger person’s safety on the road. The risk of a younger driver being killed or seriously injured is much higher, due to the lack of experience regarding potential hazards and the excitement that being a new driver can bring.
For £65 our Young Driver Assessment Gift Voucher is the perfect way to help that younger driver in your life build on their skills and boost confidence on the road.
To purchase a voucher you can visit www.iamroadsmart.com/YDA or call us on 0300 303 1134
FROM £3995
EURO NCAP SAFETY RATING
FOUR STARS (2015)
WARRANTY DIRECT RELIABILITY
INDEX/REPAIR COST 14/£122.14
INSURANCE From GROUP 4
A used Hyundai is a safe bet, especially if you choose the excellent i20. It’s the winner of our Used Car of the Year Award for 2021.
FROM
One of the big plus points of choosing the i20 is the transferable five-year warranty. Even as the second or third owner, cover continues until the car is five years old with no mileage limitation. So you and your child should be protected against any unexpected bills.
There’s a good chance you won’t have to claim on the warranty, given how reliable Hyundais are.
EURO NCAP SAFETY RATING
THREE STARS/FOUR STARS WITH SAFETY PACK
WARRANTY DIRECT RELIABILITY
INDEX/REPAIR COST 18/£155.47
INSURANCE FROM GROUP 4
At FirstCar, we’ve always been big fans of the Kia Picanto. It’s great value as a used car. Fuel economy is impressive and insurance bills will be low.
EURO NCAP SAFETY
RATING THREE STARS (2019)
WARRANTY DIRECT RELIABILITY INDEX/ REPAIR COST NA
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 fun character, but at a lower price.
FROM £2300
EURO NCAP SAFETY RATING
FIVE STARS (2009)
FROM£2390
WARRANTY DIRECT RELIABILITY
INDEX/REPAIR COST 23/£184.27
INSURANCE FROM GROUP 3
The previous generation Polo makes a very grown-up, classy first car. Safety standards are high, reliability is good, and running costs are affordable. There are plenty around, so you can be picky.
FirstCar’s free prize draw offers you the chance to win one of 1,653 prizes worth over £50,000. We’ve sets of tyres, dash cams, sat navs, learner driving apps and even tickets to win your dream car! Everyone is automatically entered into our annual prize draw to win a brand new Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 SE worth £17,015, courtesy of ingenie, the young driver insurance brand. ingenie is on the side of young drivers, using black box technology to reward safe driving with more affordable insurance premiums. Drive well, pay less! You’ll also access special discounts from some of FirstCar’s Spin To Win partners too.
PRIZES INCLUDE...
34 x TomTom GO Basic sat navs worth £150
22 x Kwik Fit adventure days for 3 worth £220
12 x Michelin tyre sets worth £450
12 x Road Angel Pures worth £350
YOUR CHILD’S CAR is a complicated piece of machinery and there are lots of things that they won’t be able to do when it comes to maintenance. However, there are also loads of things that they can do, especially if you have time to give them some tips. Encouraging a young driver to look after their car will reduce the chances of a breakdown. What’s more, if you can tackle basic work between you instead of taking the car to a garage you could save yourselves a packet.
Most cars have power steering; read the manual to see where the fluid reservoir is, then help your child to check the level. This should never drop. If it does, there’s a problem to address.
Try to persuade your child to check their lights are working every week. With your help it’ll take just a couple of minutes. Check brake lights, indicators, headlights, tail lights and number plate bulbs.
Show your child how to check the level in the braking system reservoir. Expect the level to drop a little as the brakes wear, but never below the minimum level marked on the side of the reservoir.
Accelerating, braking and cornering all depend on those four patches of rubber in contact with the ground. Encourage regular checks to make sure the tyres have plenty of tread left and are inflated correctly.
If the wiper blades fail your child could struggle to see the road. So encourage them to replace the wiper blades every 12 months or so, and use quality screenwash to clean the windscreen.
Emphasise the importance of regularly checking oil levels. Warn your child against waiting for the oil light on the dash to illuminate – by the time it comes on the damage may already have been done.
tend to be maintenance-free, but if the battery is struggling to turn the engine over, suggest that your child replaces it. Fail to do so and when it packs in altogether it will leave them stranded.
To stop an engine overheating the radiator must be filled with coolant. An engine shouldn’t use coolant; if the level drops there’s a problem. Every few years the coolant should be replaced.
The Cooper ® Zeon 4XS Sport gives you ultra-high performance and grade ‘A’ grip in the wet
David Coulthard
ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE & SAFETY AMBASSADOR COOPER TIRE EUROPE