Driving up the cost of learning by MORE THAN

If you’re the parent of a teenager learning to drive, you’re probably amazed at how difficult and expensive learning to drive has become. Let’s face it, there used to be a time when all you needed to pass your test was a copy of the Highway Code, ten lessons with a driving instructor and a few hours of arguing, sorry, practising, with your dad.

These days kids need to revise for a written theory exam, check their reflexes with a hazard perception test then swot up on what goes on under the bonnet in case their examiner asks any questions on car maintenance.

As if that wasn’t enough, the government announced this month that the UK driving test is set to get its biggest overhaul in years. It’s an attempt to cut the number of young drivers killed on Britain’s roads, but the bad news is it looks like learning to drive is going to become more expensive and complicated than ever.

According to road safety charity Brake, the under 25s make up only one in ten of all car drivers yet they represent one in four of those killed or seriously injured. In order to reduce this horrifying statistic, the government wants young drivers to gain more experience in areas where they are at increased risk of having an accident.

To do this, learners will have to pass a series of modules on topics like driving at night or on high speed roads. The modules will be marked by driving instructors, before the learner does the practical test itself.

So what will this mean to you if you’re the parent of a teenager itching to get behind the wheel? Well, you’ll all need to start saving – The Times estimates the price of learning will increase by £500. Eddie Barnaville, the chief executive of the Driving Instructors’ Association, said the extra cost will come from the extra lessons learners will need, plus the increased cost of the lessons themselves due to the extra training needed by instructors.

Mr Barnaville said: “It may sound a lot of money but isn’t much when you consider you are obtaining a skill for life.

The new rules will also effectivelyraise the driving age to 18. Although your kids will still be able to get a provisional licence at 17, the new rules mean it will probably take a full year of training before they’re ready to take their test.

But there is some good news – the new driving test may end up saving you money in the long-term. According to the Driving Standards Agency, there’ll also be an element called Eco Safe Driving. Already part of the driving test in countries like Sweden, candidates will be asked to demonstrate ‘eco safe driving techniques’, such as anticipating road conditions and changing up before hitting 2,000 revs.

Apart from helping the environment by cutting back on emissions, the Energy Saving Trust estimates driving like this can save £120 per year in fuel – so at least your kids won’t keep coming to you for more petrol money.

And if money saving tips are what you’re interested in, you should probably look beyond the cost of running your car and try Digital Look’s financial health check tools and best buys guide. Then talk to MORE THAN about how you can find a great deal on your car insurance.

Parent of a young driver? You’ll find a great deal at MORE THAN Car Insurance

MORE THAN is the direct financial services arm of Royal & SunAlliance. It offers motor, home, pet, life and travel insurance by phone and via the internet. It also offers van, shop, office, business car, hotels, property club and contractor insurance direct to small businesses

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