Young drivers 'facing high costs'

28/09/11

By Shane Gladstone

A road safety charity has highlighted the cost of motoring to young drivers.

IAM said that before they have even driven their car alone they're likely to have paid out more than £12,000 in motoring costs.

The charity said that some £1,128 would be spent on driving lessons, and a further £100 on tests.

But the costs don't end there, as the road safety charity cited the average cost of an insurance policy at £7,900, with a five-year-old run-around likely to cost around £3,000.

But the average wage for a young person in full-time work between the ages of 16 and 21 ranges between £9,300 and £14,440 - meaning there isn't much left after getting on the road.

Insurance costs are often higher for young men as they're deemed to be a bigger risk when it comes to getting behind the wheel.

However, insurance reforms will prevent gender affecting policy quotes from the end of next year.