First time car insurance news - Over 50s still keen to pass test

Young driver news - First time car insurance for over 50s may be cheaper

While most first time car insurance customers will be young drivers aged between 17 and 24 years of age, a significant amount of drivers take their test once they have reached the age of 50.

Sussex newspaper The Argus reports that the most elderly driver to take a driving test in the county did so last year at the grand age of 91.

However, due to Data Protection rules, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) was unable to confirm whether the driver passed.

In 2010 more than 500 drivers aged 50 and over took their practical driving test in Sussex. These drivers included 13 who were aged above 71 and two 88-year-olds.

According to the DSA, over the last three years the number of 71-year-olds, and older, taking a driving test has remained stable although the group's pass rate fell from 25% in 2008 to 10% in 2010.

While an older driver may be able to get cheaper car insurance than a teenager, it appears they don't find it as easy to perform well in the test once in their fifties as the group's pass rate in 2010 was 35% as opposed to 43% for all other age groups.

However, older drivers who do pass their test, and plan to use a car for short journeys only, may be well advised to get a quote for first time car insurance from an insurer which offers great deals for low-mileage drivers. insurethebox offers competitive quotes on low-mileage cover for drivers of all ages.