Janepie33 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 (edited) My son is due to take his driving test tomorrow and plans to drive to college on his own if he passes. I'm a bit confused about what happens re car insurance when a learner driver passes their test. I presume you have to inform the insurance company, but does the premium then go up massively? Will he have to have a different type of insurance? I'm afraid I am a bit clueless about this. Edited September 11, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phonix Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 We thought the same when I passed but when my mum called the insurance company they said that nothing would change and sent me a really nice letter saying congrats for passing the test! xXx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Good luck for your son tomorrow. I think a lot depends on the insurance company he's with but all of my daughters friends who are male have had to pay ££££ more when they've passed. I think one was even nearly triple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinkychick Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 doesnt it depend on your sons age and the type of car you have? I heard if the car is above a certain size then some places wont even insure young drivers I do hope you can get instant cover to. Hope he passes! Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Have just checked with OH (who is a police ossifer) and he says: He will not be able to drive to college alone UNLESS he firstly rings the insurance company and ensures they are aware of the change and that he will remain insured. If he doesnt do this and drives anyway, has an accident or gets stopped by the police, he will get 6 points on his new licence and it will be suspended for 2 years (plus a minimum fine of £200). He will then have to retake his test before he will be allowed to drive again. If he rings them (depending on which insurance co he's with) they can swap it over on the phone and will up the price from that day. How much is anyone's guess! Hope this helps. Kimmy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 Thanks everyone. That was really helpfull. We got a really good deal for when he was learning, so I expect the insurance will go up dramaticly. I did hear the 17 year old boys are very expensive to insure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I did hear the 17 year old boys are very expensive to insure. Yep, they are very expensive to insure-hence my brother never thought about learning to drive at that age! It's because he's inexperienced and generally women are safer drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 There is a way round the expensive insurance, buy a classical car, get classical car insurance, its really cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumpty Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Wishing him all the best, my daughter passed 4 months ago and it has allowed her to get to college, work, babysitting and out with mates! I still worry every moment she's on the road especially as she lost a friend in a car crash last week. Hope he does well and drives carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 Does a little old 1982 Austin Mini count as a classic car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I had a friend insured as a learner on my car, as she needed to get some practice in - I was surprised that when she passed and I rang up, they said there was no additional premium at all. She was older - over 25 - and female, which probably makes a difference. Unfortunately once your son has passed, he's able to go out unaccompanied and the accident rate for newly-qualified male 17-year old drivers is high, as you will no doubt be aware. This year I got quotes to renew my insurance, and thought I'd keep my friend on there as she sometimes borrows the car. Then I changed my mind, took her name off - and the premium went UP!! Even though she's held a licence for less than 12 months, it was cheaper to add her on as a named driver. Fingers crossed for your son tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I did hear the 17 year old boys are very expensive to insure. Yep, they are very expensive to insure-hence my brother never thought about learning to drive at that age! It's because he's inexperienced and generally women are safer drivers. The only problem with that is that sometimes it helps to have also been driving for a few years.........I think to drive in France, you need to be over a certain age and have been driving(held a full licence) for 3 (?) years ? I think it is easier to take the test early - more brain cells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 You ought to try learning to drive over here, they can start at 15 (I've got both of mine learning at the moment ).........and insurance is optional . We have insured our cars and all drivers, both the children and hubby and I, but I think that they're so impressed that we actually took the insurance option they forgot to charge us extra for the teenaged learners Hopefully by the time the children think about returning to the UK they'll count as experienced drivers and be a little bit cheaper to insure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phonix Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I took me nearly 18 months to get up the confidence to do my test - I didn't really want to learn to drive but knew I needed to Maybe that's why mine didn't go up when I passed as i'd been driving ages and also im female lol! Im insured as first driver also so it cost more to start with (my dads cheap - he only cost £1 to add to my policy! lol) Stacey xXx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 There is a way round the expensive insurance, buy a classical car, get classical car insurance, its really cheap. Fred Anyone want to buy my Triumph Spitfire then? It turns heads, I can tell you! It's going on the famous auction site at the weekend. I shall be heartbroken to see it go, but it is just standing there doing nothing & will be great for a classic enthuthiast. It never let me down either. I hope someone nice buys it. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Didn't cost anything to add me when I passed my test a couple of months ago, but I am a girl and I'm over 25. Needless to say, I immediately backed the car into a bollard. OH has not yet noticed. Don't tell him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 My husband (then BF)insured me as a learner on his car. When I passed, his premiums went down about 10% when he added me as a newly-passed driver. He'd never had an accident, etc etc. Yep, men under 25 are a really high risk group - it's all just statistics...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 DS just passed his driving test! I am a very proud mum. OH phoned the insurance company and he is insured to drive from this very moment, at no extra cost. It was all abit complicated, but we are expecting it to go up hugely in March when we have to renew. Now it's my turn to stay out late and then phone for a lift home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 ooh congratulations - yes, it's payback time surely, all those lifts you must have given over the years! Here's wishing him a long and safe driving career. Despite the statistics, it's actually not obligatory for young male drivers to have accidents, and I hope he is going to be one of the many who don't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Hi there, In France you are allowed to drive at 16 BUT must be accompanied by either your Mother or Father only At 18 , you can take your test and if you pass you may drive on your own but are restricted to 80 kms per hour for 2 years and you have to display an 'A' plate during that time. Also during those 2 years, if you get more 6 points or more on your licence, you lose it AND have to retake your test Jackiex P.S. That's if you get caught Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Congratulations to your son My 17 year old son was quite hard to insure on the car that he shares with me and my 20 year old daughter. In fact some companies wouldn't even do an insurance for him. Unfortunately he failed his test in August (he is a good driver - I've been going out with him) but hopefully will pass when he takes it next. I will be a complete bundle of nerves though once he's on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Congratulations to your Son got all this to come when DS turns 17 next May Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Congratulations to your son My daughter failed hers again recently and she was so cross and upset as she can drive. So was her instructor as he said she shouldn't have been failed on what she was which made it worse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinkychick Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Does a little old 1982 Austin Mini count as a classic car? hehe practically dont you get free tax or summit? I get free everything as i dont drive anymore, i just drool over classic cars and motorbikes whilst walking, blagging a lift or catching the bus Congrats to your son! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 This sounds really mean, but we insisted that all our children had their own insurance in their own names. By doing this they were able to build up a no claims discount whilst they were still young and without the added responsibility of mortgage, children etc. My DS didn't appreciate it then, but he does now at 25 with a wife and 2 little people It also encouraged them to drive more sensibly as they were paying for it! [We did help out though!] Jackiex ps....forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
