New Drivers Getting Older

Fewer and fewer young drivers are getting their licences at 17, new motor insurance research has revealed.

The average age for drivers to gain their licence has now increased to 21, with teenagers daunted by the motor theory test and busy with education, the motor insurance research suggests. Also the increasing costs of learning have hindered younger drivers to wait until they are earning to take lessons and pass their test.

But when they do manage to get on the road they have a far better time of it than previous generations, with ten per cent buying a brand new car compared to just one per cent of their parents' generation.

"We've seen that first time drivers are getting older, and that they are more likely to buy newer cars once they get on the ladder," said a motor insurance spokesman.

"Cars are not only more affordable these days, but first time car buyers seem to be more image conscious and want the latest makes and models compared to a decade or so ago, when first time cars were often 'old bangers'," he added.

Being older can also help with insurance costs as younger drivers are often given higher premiums as they are seen as a higher risk.

Be Wiser is a quality provider of Motor Insurance.