Young Driver Car Insurance
Compare quotes for drivers under 25 from over 150 providers, including specialists in young driver cover.
- Cover for young and new drivers aged 17-25
- Over 150 car insurance providers
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Young Driver Car Insurance in short
Young driver car insurance is cover for drivers under 25. It costs more than standard cover because insurers see less experienced drivers as higher risk, and policies for this age group often include features such as telematics. Quote Goat gives you access to a comparison service so you can compare quotes from over 150 providers, including specialists, and buy directly from the insurer you choose.
Key facts
- Drivers aged 17-25 face some of the highest car insurance premiums in the UK, with average quotes hitting four figures.
- Young driver policies often use telematics (a black box or app) that tracks speed, braking, cornering, time of day and mileage.
- Cars are placed in insurance groups from 1 to 50, and lower groups cost less to insure.
- Buying your policy 20-26 days before you need it can lower the cost.
- After five years without a claim, your no claims bonus could cut your premium by 60-75%.
Michael's take
After 20-odd years in finance and insurance, my advice to any young driver is to sort the car before the policy. A small-engined, unmodified car in a low insurance group, bought and insured a few weeks ahead rather than on the day, will do more for the price than any amount of shopping around for the same risky car. Then compare a black box quote against a conventional one on the same details, because neither is guaranteed to be cheaper, and never be tempted by fronting.
What is young driver car insurance?
Young driver car insurance is a car insurance policy for drivers under the age of 25. It is the same legal cover as any other motor policy, but policies aimed at this age group may include features that are not typically found in standard car insurance, such as telematics (a black box or smartphone app that monitors how you drive).
You can choose from the same three levels of cover as any other driver: third party only, third party, fire and theft, or comprehensive. Some providers specialise in young drivers and offer policies tailored to them. If you have not passed your test yet, see our guide to learner driver insurance.
Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?
Young drivers pay more because they lack experience and are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, so insurers price the extra risk into the premium. Drivers aged 17-25 face some of the highest premiums in the UK, and average quotes have hit four figures for new drivers aged 17-22.
Even if you are a careful driver, your age remains a significant factor in how insurers assess risk. The good news is that costs typically decrease as you gain experience, keep a clean record and build up a no claims bonus. The first few years are the most expensive.
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How can young drivers get cheaper car insurance?
The biggest savings usually come from the car you choose, who else is on the policy, and when and how you buy. These are the legitimate ways to cut the cost without reducing your cover:
| Step | What the source guide says |
|---|---|
| Choose a low insurance group car | Groups run from 1 to 50; look for a 1.0 to 1.2 litre engine, good safety rating and no modifications |
| Buy in advance | Purchasing 20-26 days before you need cover can lower the price |
| Pass Plus | Costs around £200; some insurers offer a discount, not all |
| No claims bonus | After five claim-free years you could save 60-75% |
- Add an experienced named driver such as a parent with a clean record who will genuinely use the car occasionally.
- Get your job title right. "Kitchen staff" may be cheaper than "chef", for example. Be accurate but check variations of your real role.
- Pay annually if you can. Monthly payments include interest.
- Increase your voluntary excess, as long as you can afford the total excess if you claim.
- Be realistic about mileage. Lower mileage means lower risk, but underestimating can invalidate your policy.
- Consider advanced training from IAM or RoSPA, which can lead to premium reductions.
For the full list, read how to lower insurance costs for new drivers. If you have no bonus yet, see car insurance without a no claims bonus.
Is black box insurance worth it for young drivers?
A black box (telematics) policy can bring down the cost of cover for young drivers who can show safe habits, but it is not the right fit for everyone. The device or app tracks your speed, braking, cornering, the time of day you drive and your mileage. If you drive safely, your premium can decrease, and many policies offer monthly assessments and potential discounts. This is particularly useful for new drivers without a no claims bonus to prove their ability.
Telematics suits you less well if you work irregular hours, regularly drive late at night, share a vehicle or simply do not want your driving monitored. With some products, poor scores can lead to warnings, a higher renewal price or action under the policy terms. Before you decide, check what data is collected, whether there are night-time restrictions, how scores are calculated and what happens if the device stops working.
A black box is not guaranteed to be cheaper, because insurers use different rating models. Compare like-for-like cover both ways. See our guides to car insurance with no black box and black box alternative insurance options.
Which level of cover should a young driver choose?
Compare all three levels of cover, because third party only is not always the cheapest option for young drivers, and comprehensive is often only slightly more expensive than third party cover while giving significantly better protection.
- Third party only is the legal minimum. It covers damage you cause to other vehicles and property and injuries to other people, but not your own car.
- Third party, fire and theft adds damage to your own car from fire or theft.
- Comprehensive also covers damage to your own vehicle from accidents, vandalism and other incidents, and often includes extras such as windscreen cover and a courtesy car.
Look beyond the headline price. Check the compulsory and voluntary excess, including any extra excess for younger drivers, whether a courtesy car is included, and the level of windscreen, personal belongings and key cover. Optional extras such as breakdown cover and legal expenses increase the premium and may duplicate protection you already have.
What should young drivers avoid when buying car insurance?
Never list a parent or other experienced driver as the main driver when you will be driving most of the time. This is called fronting, it is insurance fraud and it invalidates the policy. Adding a named driver is fine as long as they genuinely use the car.
- Giving inaccurate information about mileage, where the car is parked or modifications. This can invalidate your cover.
- Changing your address details or guessing to get a lower quote.
- Missing payments or letting your policy lapse.
- Driving carelessly or accumulating points on your licence. Convictions make cover harder to find; see our guide to car insurance for convicted drivers.
- Making small claims you could afford to pay for yourself, which costs you your no claims bonus.
Being added to a family member's policy as a named driver can cost less than your own policy, but you will not usually build your own no claims bonus unless the policy specifically includes that feature.
How do I compare young driver car insurance with Quote Goat?
Enter your details once into the quote form and you can view live quotes from over 150 car insurance providers, including specialists that offer policies tailored to young people. Compare prices and features side by side, then buy the cover you choose online or by phone directly with the insurance provider.
Quote Goat provides access to a comparison service and does not sell insurance itself. To get a fair comparison, use the same details for every quote: a realistic annual mileage, your accurate occupation, and where the car is normally kept overnight. We are rated 4.8/5 on Reviews.io and 97% of reviewers recommend us. For other types of cover, visit our car insurance hub.
Frequently asked questions
What age counts as a young driver for car insurance?
Young driver insurance generally means cover for drivers under the age of 25. Drivers aged 17-25 face some of the highest premiums in the UK, and new drivers aged 17-22 tend to see the highest quotes.
Why is car insurance for young drivers so expensive?
Insurers charge young drivers more because they have less experience and are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. Age remains a significant factor in how risk is assessed even if you drive carefully, which is why average quotes for new drivers have reached four figures.
Do young drivers have to have a black box?
No. A black box (telematics) policy is one option that can reduce the cost for young drivers who can demonstrate safe driving, but conventional policies without tracking are also available. A black box is not guaranteed to be cheaper, so compare both types on like-for-like cover.
Is comprehensive cover cheaper than third party for young drivers?
It can be. Third party only is the legal minimum but is not always the cheapest option for young drivers, and comprehensive cover is often only slightly more expensive while covering damage to your own car as well. Compare all three levels of cover when getting quotes.
Can I be a named driver on my parents' policy instead?
Yes, being added to a family member's policy as a named driver can cost less than a separate policy, but the person who drives the car most must be the main driver. Listing a parent as the main driver when you do most of the driving is fronting, which is fraud and invalidates the policy. You will also not usually build your own no claims bonus as a named driver unless the policy specifically includes that feature.
Does Pass Plus make young driver insurance cheaper?
Sometimes. Pass Plus costs around £200 and covers motorway driving, night driving and adverse weather. Some insurers offer a discount for completing it, but not all do, so check before you sign up. Courses from IAM or RoSPA can also result in premium reductions.
When should a young driver buy car insurance to get the best price?
Purchasing your policy 20-26 days before you need it can lower the cost. Leaving it to the last minute suggests higher risk to insurers and tends to result in higher quotes.
Which cars are cheapest for young drivers to insure?
Cars in the lowest insurance groups, which run from 1 to 50. Look for a small engine of 1.0 to 1.2 litres, a good safety rating, a model that is popular with new drivers and no modifications. Avoid high-performance cars and large engines.
Car insurance for your situation
Other car insurance pages that may fit your situation, and guides on this topic.
Written by Michael Foote, Insurance & Finance Expert
Founder of Quote Goat, with over 20 years' experience in finance and insurance. He has appeared on TV and in Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro.
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Quote Goat provides access to a car insurance comparison service operated by Seopa Ltd. This page is general information, not advice. Always check the policy documents to make sure the cover meets your needs.