Car insurance for young drivers news - Driving test pass rates are falling

Young driver car insurance news - Driving test pass rates fall

Finding a good deal on car insurance for young drivers has been made a little easier recently as insurers such as insurethebox have entered the market providing telematics car insurance.

However, while this type of cover is especially good for inexperienced motorists who wish to prove that their driving is safe, actually passing a driving test, and getting to the point of needing car insurance, is getting more difficult.

According to figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) driving test pass rates are falling. The figures revealed that at a number of test centres' first-time pass rates were as few as or fewer than 30% in 2010, while only 152 of the 340 test centres around the UK recorded a pass rate of more than 50% during the same period.

The 319,228 driving test candidates aged 17 had a pass rate of 54.9% – higher than the national average pass rate for all age groups of 42.8%.

DfT reports revealed that the top five most common faults in 2010/11 were:

1. Observation at junctions;
2. Use of mirrors when changing direction;
3. Control during reverse parking;
4. Control during reversing;
5. Moving off safely.

Figures were also released showing pass rates per test centre, however, a spokesperson for the Driving Standards Agency said the high percentage of failures at certain test centres was not attributable to any single reason.

"Pass rates are influenced by various factors, and there will inevitably be some variation from one test centre to another," he said.

Likewise, the price of car insurance for young drivers will be affected by a number factors relating to, amongst other things, the driver, the vehicle and where the owner lives.

Drivers who have recently passed their test may wish to consider taking a Pass Plus course as many insurers, including insurethebox, will offer a reduction on the price of car insurance for a driver with a Pass Plus certificate.