Young driver insurance

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How can I get cheap young driver car insurance?

In the UK, insurers usually class young drivers as those aged 17-24. Young drivers often pay more for car insurance because they're more likely to claim than more experienced drivers. But there are steps you can take to try and reduce your premium.

Choose a car in a lower insurance group

The insurance group of your car can have a big impact on how much you pay. Cars in lower insurance groups are generally cheaper to insure as they’re usually smaller, less powerful, and cheaper to repair.

For young drivers, cars in insurance groups 1-19 are usually the most affordable to insure. Think along the lines of a Vauxhall Corsa, Nissan Micra or a VW Golf.

Got your eye on a car? Check what insurance group it falls into first to get an idea how much it might cost to insure.

Consider black box (telematics) insurance

We've found that 69% of young drivers save on their car insurance by choosing a black box policy³.

Telematics policies use a device fitted to your car or an app on your phone to monitor how you drive. They record things like your speed, braking, and the time of day you drive.

Insurers use this information to see how safe a driver you are. The safer your driving habits, the lower your premiums are likely to get.

But black box insurance won't be right for everyone. If you don’t want your driving to be tracked, there are other things you can try to save money.

Add an experienced named driver

Adding an experienced named driver to a policy for a young driver could save you around £422.

The typical price is £1,579without an additional driver. That comes down to £1,157 when you add an experienced named driver to a young driver's policy³.

However, it’s important to avoid fronting, which is when the main driver is misrepresented on the policy. This is a form of insurance fraud and it will invalidate your cover.

Pay a higher excess

The excess is the amount you must pay towards a claim.

There’s compulsory excess – the amount you must pay, set by the provider – and voluntary excess – the amount you agree to pay on top of that.

Offering to pay more upfront could lower the cost of your car insurance. Our data shows that young drivers pay up to £394 less by choosing a £100 voluntary excess over £0 voluntary excess³.

Just be sure you can afford to pay both the voluntary and compulsory excess if you ever need to make a claim.

Consider annual over monthly payments

Paying monthly for car insurance typically costs £225 more than paying upfront.

The typical annual price for car insurance is £500, while drivers who opt for monthly instalments pay £714³.

If you're able to pay in one lump sum, it could lower the overall cost of your policy.

Compare early

Get new quotes around 21-28 days before renewal to maximise savings. Insurance providers tend to see those who leave it to the last minute as higher risk.

The easiest thing to do is check when your current policy runs out and set a reminder on your phone for around three weeks before.

You can choose the exact date you want your new policy to start.

Shop around

Prices can vary between providers. The best way to make sure you’re getting the right price for you is to compare what’s out there.

It takes minutes to get your quote through Compare the Market – and as a young driver, it could save you up to £820¹.

Looking for more ways to save? Read our full guide to top tips for getting cheaper car insurance.

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Text transcript

Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?

Unfortunately, car insurance is usually most expensive for young drivers. That’s because they’re statistically more likely to be in an accident, which means they’re more likely to make a claim.

Older drivers also have the benefit of potentially having built up a no claims discount. If you’re a young driver, you won’t have had a chance to build one of these. Unfortunately, if you’re a young driver, you’ll need to drive safe and be patient for that to benefit you.

Who’s considered a young driver?

Car insurance providers consider anyone aged 17-24 as a young driver.

How can young drivers get cheaper car insurance?

Here are our top five tips to getting cheaper car insurance for young drivers:

1. Pick your car carefully

The value of your car can affect your insurance. If your first car is a new, high-powered or luxury vehicle, your premium will probably be more expensive. A more basic model, with a smaller engine, might not be what you’d dreamed of, but it could save you money.

2. Add an experienced named driver to your policy

Adding an experienced named driver to your policy is a great way for young drivers to get cheaper car insurance. But you have to make sure you don’t give false information about who the main driver is. This is known as ‘fronting’ – a type of fraud that may invalidate your policy.

3. Consider a black box policy

Car insurance providers consider young drivers to be higher risk. Prove them wrong with a black box policy! Black box insurance uses a device to monitor your driving and usually rewards safe drivers with a cheaper premium.

4. Take a Pass Plus test

Similarly, you could prove you’re a safer driver by getting a Pass Plus driving qualification. Insurance providers will see this and could lower your premium.

5. Compare quotes online

One of the quickest and easiest ways to get cheaper car insurance is through Compare the Market. We compare car insurance quotes from dozens of providers to find you our cheapest price.

Simples.

How much does car insurance cost for young drivers?

Here's how much different age groups tend to pay for car insurance³:

Age group	Comprehensive	Third-part, fire and theft	Third-party only
17-24	£1,219	£1,464	£1,963
25-29	£679	£976	£1,226
30-39	£539	£811	£1,055

Young drivers' car insurance quotes fell by almost £500 between June 2024 and June 2026, according to our Premium Drivers Report. This is positive news, but car insurance is still a big cost for young drivers to swallow – so it's always worth comparing quotes to find the right policy at the right price for you.

And it’s important to remember that premiums can vary widely depending on factors like your age, driving experience, the car you drive, where you live, and the type of cover you choose.

Because of this, the price you end up paying could be higher or lower.

Compare quotes for young driver insurance

What type of car insurance do young drivers need?

There are three main types of cover:

Third-party only

By law, you need at least third-party insurance to drive on UK roads
Covers you for damage to another person’s vehicle or any injury you cause to someone else as the result of a collision
Young drivers typically pay £2,162 a year for third-party only insurance³
It won’t cover you or your vehicle if you're at fault for the accident relating to your claim

Third-party, fire and theft

On top of what's included in third-party cover, this insures your vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged by fire
Young drivers typically pay £1,619 a year for third-party, fire and theft insurance³
Won’t cover the costs of repairing or replacing your car following an accident

Comprehensive

Includes everything that comes with third-party and third-party, fire and theft insurance
Also includes cover for you and your car if you’re involved in an accident – even if you're at fault
Can sometimes work out to be the cheapest option – even for young drivers
Young drivers typically pay £1,302 a year for comprehensive cover³

Did you know?

17-24-year-olds can save up to £744 by choosing comprehensive cover over third-party³.

Insurance prices are based on risk, not just cover level, so choosing less cover doesn’t automatically mean a lower price.

Car insurance options for young drivers

There are a handful of different policy types that could be suitable for younger drivers, including:

Black box insurance

Black box, or telematics, insurance monitors your driving through an app or small device in your car. Insurers use it to see how you drive. The safer you are on the road, the lower your premium is likely to be when you come to renew.

Temporary insurance

Might be useful if you don't have your own car yet. You can get temporary cover from an hour up to a month, or anything in between.

Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) insurance

You could pay less with pay-as-you-go (PAYG) insurance if you don't drive much. Instead of getting annual cover, you only pay for the distance you drive, plus a base rate to cover your car while it’s parked.

Named driver insurance

You could lower your car insurance costs by adding an experienced named driver (e.g. a parent) to your policy. Just be mindful of ‘fronting’. This is a type of fraud where you mislead insurers about who does most of the driving.

Learner driver insurance

Learning in a parent's car? Learner driver insurance gives you separate cover from the owner's policy. If you have an accident, their no-claims bonus won’t be affected.

What do our customers say about our car insurance comparison service?

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Very easy to use website. Quickly sorted my car insurance

Ron - 21/09/2026

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Rob - 21/09/2026

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MG - 12/09/2026

What does car insurance for young drivers cover?

Young driver insurance typically covers...

Damage to other people’s vehicles or property if you’re involved in an accident
Injuries to other people resulting from a collision
Fire damage or theft of your car (with third party, fire and theft or comprehensive cover)
Damage to your own car following an accident (with comprehensive cover)
Personal injury cover for you and your passengers (with comprehensive cover – policy limits apply)
Some comprehensive policies may include additional features, such as windscreen cover or a courtesy car, but these can vary between insurers.

Young driver insurance doesn't typically cover...

General wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns
Damage caused while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Using the car outside the terms of your policy, such as for business use if it’s not included
Driving without valid insurance, or providing incorrect information when taking out a policy.

Optional extras and add-ons for young drivers

Some add-ons may be included as standard in policies, but in others they may bump up your premium. So always double-check and think about whether you really need them.

Breakdown cover

Personal accident cover

Motor legal protection

Lost keys cover

No claims discount protection

Windscreen cover

What our expert says...

“As a young driver, it might feel like a long road to cheaper premiums, but every year you drive without a claim brings your price down. Focus on staying safe on the road and it’ll pay off later. "Don't immediately dismiss black box policies if offered. They could shave a few pounds off your initial quote, and crucially, they’ll give your insurer a true picture of your driving style. Prove that you’re a responsible driver and you’ll likely be rewarded with cheaper car insurance.”

Amy Rootham, Insurance expert

What do I need to get a quote for young driver insurance?

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Young driver essentials

Find out all you need to know, from safe driving tips to the cheapest cars to insure

Cost & savings

Young drivers: cheapest cars to insure

We explain how insurance groups affect the price of cover

Driving tips

Top tips for new drivers

See how to stay safe on the road and find the right cover

Policy & cover

Car insurance fronting

The basics about why fronting is illegal and how insurers spot it

Policy & cover

Can I learn to drive in my parents' car?

Discover the pros, cons and rules of learning with parents vs an instructor

All car insurance guides

Car insurance group checker

Check your car's insurance group and how it could affect your premium

FAQs

How much does it cost to run a car as a young driver?

On average, it can cost around £2,500 a year to run a car as a young driver under the age of 25, according to our Young Drivers research from December 2025.

Car insurance is typically the biggest expense, often making up over half of the total cost, with fuel, vehicle tax (VED) and MOT costs accounting for the rest.

Can you get car-sharing insurance for young drivers?

Yes, a car-sharing policy (also known as temporary car insurance) is ideal for young drivers who only drive occasionally.

It’s a short-term, standalone policy that typically ranges between one hour to a month.

This type of policy will let you get behind the wheel of someone else’s car – with their permission – while protecting their no claims discount.

What’s the cheapest young driver insurance?

The cheapest car insurance for young drivers will depend on your personal circumstances.

Young driver car insurance is expensive, but steps such as getting black box insurance, adding an experienced named driver to your policy, or paying in full could all make a difference.

The best way to find cheap insurance for young drivers is to compare deals.

Are newer cars cheaper to insure for young drivers?

Newer cars can be cheaper to insure than older models because of their advanced safety features such as automatic braking.

But a whole range of factors influence how much you pay for car insurance, not just the age of your vehicle.

What should I do about my car insurance when I go to university?

If you’re taking your car to university and keeping it there for most of the academic year, you should update your policy to reflect your change in address.

If you're leaving your car at your parents’ house, you could keep the policy running and let your provider know you won’t be using it much. This will let them know your annual mileage will change, and that can affect your premium.

Alternatively, if you know you won’t drive at all while you’re at uni, you can register your car as off the road with a SORN. It’ll save you money on tax and insurance during that time, but you won’t be able to drive or park your car on a public road.

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Reviewed 18 Sept 2026 byAmy RoothamInsurance expert

Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.

Methodology

¹Based on Online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during June 2026, 51% of customers age under 35 could achieve this saving on their car insurance through Compare the Market.

² Based on the % of respondents claiming they have used Compare the Market in the last 12 months vs. other leading PCWs. Source: Savanta BrandVue Financial Services, National Representative Survey of 12,257 respondents (June 2026)

³ Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in August 2026.