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Driving isn’t cheap. The costs can be even greater for new drivers – on top of the expenses of learning, new drivers also have to deal with higher insurance rates. Here are just some of the ways to reduce the costs of being a new driver.
Shop around for instructors
When learning to drive, spend time comparing instructors beforehand. Different instructors are likely to charge different rates. Positive reviews and recommendations from friends and family are also worth considering – a better instructor is more likely to get you through your test successfully, which could mean less money in lessons and tests.
Take advantage of free learning resources
There are lots of books and programs that you can pay for to help you through your driving theory test. However, there are also many free resources out there that can be just as effective. If you’re trying to save costs, use these free resources rather than buying books and software.
Opt for a used car
As a new driver, you don’t want to be splashing out on a brand new car. The risk of being involved in an accident is high for new drivers – while you hopefully won’t be involved in an accident, it’s better to own something cheap that you don’t mind writing off. That said, you also don’t want to be skimping on an unreliable car that’s going to cost you huge amounts in repairs. Look out for cars that are being sold by a reputable dealership such as these used cars at Dicksons. Always take a test drive and check the history of the vehicle so that you know what you’re getting into.
Consider black box insurance
New drivers often have to pay much higher insurance costs than those that have been driving a few years. One of the best ways to reduce costs is to look into black box insurance. This involves installing telematics equipment into your car, which then monitors your driving habits. Providing that you drive safely, your rates will remain relatively low. You can compare black box insurance at Quotezone.
Get insured on a parent’s car
Many young new drivers wait a while to buy their own vehicle, instead choosing to use their parent’s car. Getting insured on this vehicle as a secondary driver could be a lot cheaper than being insured as a primary driver on your own vehicle. Of course, it rates may also depend on the type of vehicle – if your parents have a sports car, you may find that insurance rates are extremely high (some insurers may even refuse to insure you).
Learn to drive economically
You can also save money by adopting economical driving habits. A few bad habits to iron out could include harsh acceleration, using lower gears than necessary, overusing heating/air conditioning and driving with unnecessary weight in the car (such as carrying an empty roofbox or work equipment when not working) – all of which could be causing you to consume more fuel. Driving more gently and smoothly can also put less strain on parts and could stop parts wearing out as quickly.
