Spare car for teenagers to learn to drive and share...!?!

[Sssloou]

Looking at getting a car for my teens to learnt to drive on and to keep at home for use during uni breaks (shared) is this going to cost me ££££ to have it insured for most of the year not in use ..... and then other issues with them sharing it?

Anyone been through this successfully

@PegasusReturns

I personally would feel very nervous about travelling in a car without dual control unless my child was at the point of taking their test

I’d personally feel very anxious about a child who had only had perhaps 20 hours of lessons driving, despite the fact they’ve passed their test.

Whereas id feel much more confident about a child who had done another 40 hours practice.

I think this is a really good point. There are lots of people who never have a lesson in the dark for example, or during rush hour. Practice in different conditions with mum or dad helps prepare them better for going out on their own whenever they like post test.

Not a necessity as lots of people have already said, but certainly useful.

We were unable to insure the teens on either of our cars (insurance company had a minimum age policy). We bought a small car with a low insurance group, shopped around for the best insurance quote, included the adults on the policy - the car was legally owned by me and driven by me regularly - the insurance company did check that the car was in my name (documents sent for proof) and that we weren't FRONTING for one of the teens.

We also had to have a BLACK BOX to monitor the driving - speed, braking, time of day, journey duration etc. Good driving is rewarded with bonus miles (we bought the policy with 6000 annual miles, 100 bonus miles could be earned monthly, extra miles could be bought if necessary).

It's worked well for us so far. Pre passing the test we insured with GO GIRL. After passing we went with INSURE THE BOX.

Mumoftwo Child who walks into the house, knocks over a drink and trips over the cat - they are going to need lots of practice.

I have one of these. Hence the automatic and 70hrs driving before taking test (and passing first time).

I’d personally feel very anxious about a child who had only had perhaps 20 hours of lessons driving, despite the fact they’ve passed their test.

Surely the point of passing the driving test is that the examiner felt they were ready to drive in a car on their own?

Surely the point of passing the driving test is that the examiner felt they were ready to drive in a car on their own?

There’s a reason why the majority of accidents occur 6mths after passing a test.

Like with anything, generally, the more your practice the better you will be. Passing a test evidences a minimum capability in so what artificial conditions. Most people who pass their test will be exponentially better drivers a year after doing so.

@TeenMinusTests

Mumoftwo Child who walks into the house, knocks over a drink and trips over the cat - they are going to need lots of practice.

I have one of these. Hence the automatic and 70hrs driving before taking test (and passing first time).

It was based on me!

I’m not against the idea (if you have the money and space, go for it), but I disagreed with the comment that you need a car to practice in in order to pass the car test.

I never said you NEEDED a car. Just that lessons on their own wasn't the ideal way to learn. In general learners make quicker and better progress if they are able to practise between their lessons. I personally also think it often makes for a safer learner driver as they tens to have more miles behind them when they pass.

So yes, you can pass without your own car. I did myself many years ago. However I still believe, like when learning many other new skills, where it is possible practising on top of the formal lessons is a better situation and progress is usually faster.

Obviously many people can't provide a car for a learner driver. I don't, however, believe that it is the wrong thing for a parent to do if they can.

Surely the point of passing the driving test is that the examiner felt they were ready to drive in a car on their own?

To an extent yes. However, like most exams, it often depends on what happens on the day. A good driver can have a bad day. A poor driver can have a good day.

We already know that new drivers are more likely to have accidents. Often this could be put down to inexperience of situations.

Id actually prefer a whole new system to replace the driving test as it currently is. I'd prefer it to be a continual assessment type thing with a minimum number of hours (a little like you have to when learning to fly) and a series of skills and scenarios that need to be better, on more than one occasion. I would also include things like driving in the dark, driving on a motorway, etc in this.

To ensure consistency the examiners could be used to do random spot checks of driving instructors. They turn up with short notice and accompany the instructor on some lessons, sat in the back, focusing on the competency of the instructor and how they are teaching and assessing the driver.

we bought a small Peugeot something for DS1 to learn on and to drive (and whichever kid is learning next) on DH's name.

we've already had 2 cars but both automatic so not suitable for a learner driver.
apart from the fact they are automatic the 9-seater VW "bus" would've been too big and hard no to driving the Jaguar!

the insurance is reasonable because he's 2nd driver not owner.

I bought a small car to share with my DS and to help him to learn to drive. DS turned 17 in July 2020 and sat his test in April, due to covid we could not get a driving instructor, I put hours into teaching him to drive, he knew every road, roundabout and junction. Everytime we left the house, he drove. When he finally sat his test he was happy and confident and passed first time with far fewer minors than his friends. As soon as he passed I called the insurance company and had him put on the insurance as a named driver, both I and the insurance company were shocked to find out that this did not increase our premiums.
The only problem was that I loved the small car so much I wasn't willing to share and he's had to buy himself a car. His new car is in his name and he is insured as the main driver, DH and I are named drivers with no convictions or claims and again I was surprised at how cheap his insurance was.

We did this, one at home and one away though. It's worked out well. Mine are only a year apart, eldest used it in his last year at school and gave DS2 lifts, he used it half and half in his first year uni to get to the station and DS2 in his last school year. They'd coordinate with one maybe dropping the other at school or the station depending on their schedule.

DS2 went away to uni so would just use it when home, now that they are 20 and 19, I have them insured on my car too and as Ds1 isn't travelling to uni and I'm working at home, DS2 has taken their car up to uni to make sure it's being used and Ds1 and I share my car.

Both dc are reasonable.

It initially cost about £650 to insure the car for Ds1, DH and I and then an extra £100 to add DS2 when he passed. Both were driving at age 17. The car is in DHs name, insurance in DS1s and all of us as named drivers. Recent renewal via admiral multi car for all 3 cars, DSs on both smaller cars but DHs just him and I as its a larger engine was just over £700. If it looks like DS2 will do more miles then we'll swap the insurance to his name as main driver.

Our second car was written off recently and since we didn't use it much in the last year or so and DD is about to turn 17 we are looking at a replacement that will suit her learning then driving once she passes. We are going for a second hand Toyota Aygo as they are reasonably priced and the fuel, tax and insurance will be low.

I'd also look at a skoda citigo, fantastic cars and very easy driving.