We, the undersigned, call on the UK Government to urgently address the excessive cost of car insurance for young drivers, which has become unsustainable and unjustifiably high. The cost of insurance has spiralled out of control, with many young drivers forced to pay more than double the actual value of their vehicle for coverage. This financial burden is unfair and disproportionately affects young people who need vehicles for work, education, and daily life.

Issues with the Current System

• Excessive Premiums: Young drivers face insurance costs that are disproportionately high, often making car ownership financially unviable. This cost barrier limits their ability to travel to work, university, and other essential destinations, further exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis.
• Black Box Policies: Many young drivers are forced into telematics (black box) insurance policies that monitor their driving behaviour. These policies create unnecessary stress, as drivers focus more on speed monitoring rather than road awareness, potentially increasing accident risks rather than reducing them.
• Family Car Insurance Restrictions: Young drivers often struggle to get insured on family cars, pushing them to purchase separate vehicles, which increases financial strain, contributes to traffic congestion, and negatively impacts the environment.
• Increase in Uninsured and Unsafe Driving: Due to the exorbitant insurance prices, many young drivers are left with no choice but to drive uninsured, increasing the number of illegal drivers on the road. This not only puts them at legal and financial risk but also leads to more unsafe driving practices, as they attempt to avoid detection. The root cause of this issue is the excessively high cost of insurance, making legal driving an unrealistic option for many.

Proposed Solutions

• Introduction of a Young Drivers Insurance Scheme: The Government should establish an affordable insurance scheme specifically for young drivers, allowing them to be insured on any car at a reasonable cost without the need for a black box. The scheme should ensure that young drivers are not unfairly penalised with excessive premiums simply due to their age.
• Aligning the UK with European Insurance Models: In many European countries, car insurance is tied to the vehicle rather than the individual driver. This means that as long as a car is insured, any licensed driver can operate it. Implementing a similar model in the UK would alleviate costs for young drivers, allowing them to use family cars instead of being forced to take out individual policies at extortionate rates.
• Economic and Social Benefits: Making car insurance affordable for young drivers will increase mobility, allowing them to access jobs, education, and training opportunities that are not easily reachable by public transport. Reduced insurance costs would help alleviate the financial pressures of the cost-of-living crisis. Enabling young drivers to use family cars rather than purchasing separate vehicles would reduce road congestion, lower emissions, and make roads safer for all.

We urge the Government to take immediate action to reform the young drivers’ insurance market, ensuring fairer pricing and removing unnecessary restrictions that hinder mobility, employment, and financial stability for young people in the UK.

Sign this petition to demand a fair and reasonable insurance system for young drivers!