learner car insurance Archives

When is The Best Time for Your Driving Test?

15 July 2024 09:45 Comments Off

Learning to drive can be an arduous process, but it’s all worth it when you finally get to upgrade from your provisional licence. After investing so much time in driving lessons and practice sessions (we have temporary learner insurance perfect for covering you for those), you want to have the best chance possible at actually passing your test.

It turns out that choosing the best time of day and time of year to take your driving test can help you get an advantage on the day. Whether you’re learning to drive automatic or manual these might just be the best times for a driving test…

**How Long to Practise Before Your Driving Test?**

Before booking your test, you need to learn to drive! It’s no good booking a test and hoping you’ll be ready. It’s recommended that learners need around 45 hours of driving lessons with an instructor, alongside 22 hours of practice outside of lessons.

For learners looking to practise outside of lessons, practice insurance provides an easy, flexible means of getting coverage for this period, and can be one of the best ways to insure a learner.

After you’ve had enough hours of learning, you should be ready for your driving test, but your instructor will be able to advise.

**How Long is the Wait for a Driving Test?**

Government data tells us that the average wait time in the UK for a driving test was at 18.8 weeks at the end of 2023. Since then work has been done to bring waiting times down to around 15 weeks, however, in some areas like London, the wait time for a driving test may still be over 20 weeks.

With waiting times being so long, it’s good to book ahead if you and your instructor agree you’ll be ready in four months time – start looking for a test sooner rather than later.

Knowing this will allow you to plan accordingly, and allow you to pick the best day and time for you.

**Best Time of Year to Take a Test**

DVSA data reveals April (50.12%), August (49.28%) and July (49.28%) to be the months with the highest pass rates in the UK. May, September and June all follow these months too, telling us that colder winter months are the worst times to take your test.

Due to better weather, the warmer months of the year are the best time to book your test. Learning to drive in winter can be difficult due to the bad weather, which could either make roads more dangerous or get your test and lessons postponed altogether. To avoid your test getting cancelled or having to take a test in harsh conditions, aim to book your test in the warmer months of the year. The last thing you want is to wait over four months to get a test and it be cancelled on the morning due to winter fog!

Things to Consider if Your Test is in Summer

Driving in hot weather still presents its hazards. Although pass rates are higher during summer or spring, there are a few things you should know before you head to the test centre. Being aware of these hot weather driving tips could be the difference between you failing or passing your test!

Wear The Correct Footwear

You should wear non-restrictive footwear when driving, meaning flip-flops are not a good choice when getting behind the wheel. Even if the weather is hot, you should wear a pair of shoes or trainers. Flip-flops could get caught under the pedals and make you lose control of the vehicle. Not only could this cause you to fail your test, but you could land yourself with a hefty fine if caught not in control of the vehicle.

Don’t Drink While Driving

We all know we shouldn’t drink alcohol and drive, but you also shouldn’t take a sip from your bottle of water while operating a vehicle. You should stay hydrated when driving on a hot day, but do not do this when your vehicle is moving. Doing this can take your concentration away from the road, potentially leading to you losing control of the vehicle. Again, this could cause you to fail your test.

Be Wary of Hay Fever Medication

Hay fever can be an impairing ailment. While you can drive with hay fever, it’s important you know when you’re not fit to drive. If your symptoms are bad enough to impair your driving ability, don’t risk taking your test on that day.

Also, ensure you don’t take drowsy antihistamines before your test, or any time you’re getting behind the wheel. Drowsiness can lead to you losing concentration and control of the vehicle. This is dangerous to yourself and other drivers, and would ultimately cause you to fail your test.

The Best Time of Day to Take a Test

Now we know warmer months are the best time of year to aim for, what time of day is best for your test?

You should aim to avoid rush hour periods, usually 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm, these are the hours when roads will be the busiest. Busy roads leave less room for you on the road, creating a tighter, more stressful situation for you on test day. You might want to take your test first thing to get it out of the way, but it’s worth remembering the roads could be busy.

So there you have it the best times for your driving test. It can’t always be possible to pick the perfect time though, as long as you have had enough lessons and are ready for your test, any time of year should be good for you. If it helps your confidence, try to avoid rush hour periods too. If you find yourself having to take your test in your own car to get your ideal slot, then our driving test insurance will cover you.

During your test, make sure you are in control of the vehicle at all times, wear the correct footwear, stay focused and don’t get distracted.

Learner drivers should take advantage of temporary learner insurance before taking their test. Secure insurance from one hour up to one month, so you can get all the practice you need before heading to the test centre. Get a quote now in under two minutes so you can see just how easy it is to get insured with GoShorty.

What Happens if a Learner is Driving Alone?

13 June 2024 13:56 Leave a Comment

Upon receiving your provisional licence, you’ll likely have some questions about the various rules associated with practising to drive – for instance, can a learner driver drive alone? Why not? And what actually happens if a learner driver is caught driving alone?

When learning to drive it’s important to drive responsibly to avoid getting points on your provisional or invalidating your learner insurance. Our learner guides are here to help you drive responsibly as you work towards passing your test.

In short, you cannot drive alone with a provisional licence, and it’s crucial that learners are aware of this vital rule of the road. The fact that a provisional licence does not allow learners to drive alone might seem obvious, but it catches people out every year. You can only drive on your own when you have passed your driving test, be that for an automatic or manual licence, and purchased the correct learner car insurance.

If you’re caught driving without the correct supervision, you’ll be subject to various penalties before you’ve even taken your practical test. Whether you’re practising in your own car (lucky you!), or borrowing a parent’s car for practice, you’ll always need insurance and a supervisor.

We have a whole guide explaining who can supervise a learner driver, so you can be sure you’ll never be caught out driving alone or without the correct supervision.

The consequences of driving on a provisional licence without a qualified driver supervising you are serious – with costly associated penalties. Often, learners caught driving alone will face an immediate driving disqualification, and the owner of the vehicle they’re using will also face legal repercussions if they knowingly allowed you to drive the vehicle alone with only a provisional licence. We’ve listed the most common results of a learner driving a vehicle alone below.

1. Your insurance will be invalidated.

Getting caught whilst driving alone on a provisional licence will invalidate your insurance policy instantly – irrespective of whether you’ve previously purchased a learner driver insurance policy. And that in itself is another cause for penalties, as you should never drive without a valid insurance policy. It’s also worth bearing in mind that should you be in an accident whilst driving alone as a learner, you won’t be able to make a claim without valid insurance.

Being caught driving alone as a learner will also make it extremely difficult to get cover in the future, as you’ll be regarded as a risk by insurers. Those willing to deal with you will likely charge an expensive annual premium. From an insurance perspective, being caught driving alone represents a costly mistake that you’ll be living with for years.

2. You will receive penalty points on your licence.

You can receive up to six points on your provisional licence if you’re caught driving alone as a learner. These points remain on your licence even once you’ve passed your practical test, but in some cases, you can be disqualified from driving entirely.

Penalty points will remain on your licence for four years before being removed by the relevant authorities. More serious offences can result in penalty points or endorsements remaining on your licence for up to eleven years.

3. A substantial fine will be issued.

If you’re caught driving alone as a learner, you’ll be issued a £1,000 fine.

4. You could receive a driving ban.

Once you pass your test, if you have 6 points on your licence from driving alone, they will roll over to your full driving licence. Should you accumulate twelve or more penalty points on your licence, you’ll be taken to court and will likely be disqualified from driving.

5. There will be a permanent mark on your driving record.

Getting caught driving alone on a provisional licence will result in you receiving a permanent mark on your driving record, which will increase the cost you can expect to pay for insurance.

The penalties learners face if they’re caught driving alone are significant enough to put the vast majority of prospective drivers off getting behind the wheel unsupervised, but there are a number of other important rules that provisional licence holders should familiarise themselves with too.

What are Other Provisional Licence Rules?

There are a whole host of other concerns for learners undertaking driving practice outside of being properly supervised. We’ve listed some of the most important to know below.

Always display your L plates.

Learner drivers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland must display L plates on any vehicle in which they are learning to drive. In Wales, D plates can also be used. These plates must be the correct size and colour. If they don’t meet the legal specifications, you may be fined and receive penalty points on your licence.

Don’t drive on the motorway without an approved driving instructor.

If you’re wondering whether a learner can drive on the motorway, the short answer is no unless you are with an approved driving instructor (ADI) in a dual-controlled car. In Northern Ireland however, learners aren’t allowed on the motorway at all.

Only Drive With the Correct Insurance.

You will always need driving practice insurance when having sessions outside of lessons. If you’re having a lesson with an approved driving instructor then you don’t need to worry about insurance as they are required to have that in place. If you are taking your test in your own car, you will also be required to have driving test insurance in place.

Always Have Your Provisional Licence With You Whilst Driving.

When going for your driving lessons or a practice session, you should always have your provisional licence with you in case you get pulled over. If you don’t have it with you, you and your supervising driver could be fined and receive penalty points on your licence.

Our temporary learner insurance options allow you to easily get covered whenever you’re having a driving practice session. So explore our learner insurance options, follow the rules of the road, and never drive alone and you’ll be on the road with your full licence in no time!

Dad’s Taxi Service? Survey Reveals Brits’ Parental Driving Preferences

3 June 2024 15:49 Comments Off

A recent survey* of 2,000 Brits revealed that they feel twice as confident in their Dad’s driving abilities than their Mum’s – with 17 percent trusting their Dad to drive them around versus only 8 percent preferring their Mum behind the wheel. Is this indicative of the wider social stereotype that men are better drivers than women drivers? Perhaps it’s simply that female drivers are held to an unfair standard when it comes to driving… especially by their kids.

98 percent of British men claim to be ‘confident’ drivers.
Over a third (36 percent) of Brits have asked their Dad for a lift late at night in the past year.
49 percent of learner drivers prefer to practise driving with their Dad.

We’ll delve into the implications of the survey data* below, to explore why the label of ‘bad driver’ is so often gendered.

Which Parent Do Brits Prefer to Ask for Lifts From?

Many of us will remember being chauffeured throughout childhood and beyond – from asking our parents ‘are we nearly there yet?’ five minutes into the big summer holiday drive, to the more mundane school run. But as we ‘age out’ of relying entirely on our parents to transport us around – once we’re old enough to navigate public transport solo, or our older mates have begun to pass their driving tests – often the most common travel we undertake with our parents is that of the late-night lift.

Essentially, once you’re legally allowed to partake in British pub culture, your parent’s taxi service really comes into its own when the long walk home following last orders doesn’t look all that appealing.

Our survey found that a fifth (20 percent) of respondents said they’ve asked their Dad for a lift at least 5 times so far this year – and over a third (36 percent) have asked their Dad for a lift late at night. Of those in need of a late-night lift, the majority were female – reinforcing that women travelling after dark feel greater concern for their safety than men do – preferring to pester their Dad for a lift than walk or opt for public transport.

Surprisingly, almost a fifth of 35 – 44 year olds (24 percent) have asked their Dad for between 2 – 5 lifts in the last year – suggesting that a parent’s job is never over. 35 percent of respondents (parents themselves) admitted to asking their own Dad for a lift up to 5 times in the last year alone – proving that Dad’s taxi service is a family business, through and through…or that Brits never really grow up. We’ll let you draw your own conclusions.

Which Parent Do Learners Prefer to Practise With?

Our survey found that as well as preferring to ask Dad for a lift, Brits also prefer to have their Dad supervise them as a learner driver. Almost half (49 percent) of learners opted to have their dad accompany them on driving practice sessions, compared to only 21 percent choosing their Mum as an instructor. Does this mean young drivers find their Dads are calmer when it comes to teaching them to drive, or that they simply can’t face having their skills critiqued by their mums when still learning?

Interestingly, we do know from our own internal data that those taking out temporary learner insurance are far more likely to be male (79 percent) than female (21 percent), so could it just mean that men prefer having practice sessions outside of their lessons, and for them they choose Dad?

Preferred Passengers: Mums Vs. Dads

Whilst Brits might prefer Dad’s taxis for lifts – when it comes to which parent we prefer to ferry around, our survey reveals Mum is the preferred passenger, with only 7 percent claiming to feel confident driving their Dad around.

This might correlate with the fact that we know dads are the preferred driving supervisor for learners. Would you still want to drive your instructor around after you’ve passed? Probably not.

Who Are the Most Confident Drivers?

We asked our Founder and Managing Director Andy Moody about driving stereotypes. He said: “Our survey found that three times more women than men claim that they’re ‘not confident’ in their driving ability. Combine that with the fact that there’s such a disparity between the confidence we feel in the driving of our Dads versus our Mums and it certainly looks like some outdated attitudes towards gender and motoring – namely, the sexist idea that men are better drivers than women still prevails. Could it be that these stereotypes in turn are damaging the confidence of female drivers on the roads today?”

Are Women Safer Drivers?

Examining our internal data, we found that women are 15 percent less likely to be involved in a road accident than men are – including both learners and fully licensed drivers – suggesting women are actually significantly safer drivers than their male counterparts, despite feeling less than confident behind the wheel – and often being perceived as the worse drivers.

Whilst Dads might be the go-to when your local cabbie isn’t picking up, there’s nothing to suggest Mums aren’t just as reliable behind the wheel. Survey respondents saying they prefer their Mums to their Dads as passengers might actually reinforce the idea that Mums are more conscientious road users, able to impart their wisdom from the passenger seat more effectively than Dads – even if you think he’s the better driver.

*The research was conducted by Censuswide, sampling 2,052 drivers aged 17+ in the UK. The data was collected between 14.05.2024 – 20.05.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

Learner Insurance Cost Guide

30 May 2024 12:42 Leave a Comment

If you’re about to start learning to drive, you may be asking yourself: how much is learner insurance? When it comes to getting insured as a learner, there are a few options available at different price points and with different levels of flexibility. The best type of learner insurance depends on your needs, learners can consider traditional long-term insurance, black-box insurance, getting added to another driver’s insurance as a named driver, or the more flexible temporary learner insurance option. Learn about the cost of provisional insurance here, to help you make the best choice.

**How Much is Learner Insurance?**

The more traditional options that offer long-term coverage allow learners constant access to a vehicle, as long as they are supervised. However, these long-term policies can often be costly, sometimes accompanied by restrictions that end up costing you more in the long run.

Temporary insurance offers learner drivers a much more flexible option. Short-term provisional insurance allows drivers to choose from daily, weekly, or even monthly policy options. This makes it a great option for learners trying to get in some extra practice outside of lessons, without having to commit to long-term policies.

The table below shows the low costs you can get temporary learner insurance from. There are many factors that affect the price of insurance so the exact quote you get will differ.

**Find Learner Insurance Prices From*…**

Duration	Hours	Days	Weeks
1	£15.01	£20.09	£44.38
2	£15.38	£25.38	£51.94
3	£16.83	£28.79	£55.55
4	£18.98	£32.90	£56.46

*Based on minimum retail prices charged between March’23 to Feb’24

Starting as cheap as £15.01 for one hour, or £20.09 for one day of insurance, short-term insurance provides learners with an affordable, flexible option.

On top of the low cost of temporary provisional insurance, it’s also quick and easy to get covered. Learners looking to practice can get a quote and be insured in under two minutes.

This means you can be on the road learning valuable driving skills without having to wait around speaking to insurers.

Temporary insurance is a quick, flexible, and affordable option for learner drivers, whilst the more traditional method of adding a learner to insurance could be costly and unnecessary.

Adding a learner driver as a named driver on an already existing policy could cost an average of £1300 a month! Compare this to the potential £56.46 cost for four weeks of temporary insurance (this is based on average minium prices, individual quote will differ), and the difference is staggering. This type of insurance also risks the original driver’s premiums increasing and it puts their no-claims bonus at risk, whilst a temporary learner policy wouldn’t impact these areas.

With more traditional learner insurance approaches like this, you also risk paying for more time than you need. You may end up paying for a year of insurance, but only use the car for a month’s worth of practice. This is another advantage of temporary insurance, as it allows learners to cover themselves just for the time necessary.

Temporary insurance presents learners with a safe, flexible, and affordable option to getting insured. Our quick service lets learners get to practicing quickly, without having to go back and forth with insurers or break the bank. Get a quote in under two minutes to see how easy it can be to get insured, so you can focus on passing your test!

Points on a Provisional Licence Guide

28 May 2024 11:48 Comments Off

Learning to drive is an exciting time, but learner drivers must understand that their driving behaviours still have consequences even if they haven’t passed their test yet. In case you didn’t know, you can accumulate points on a provisional licence. Points accumulated during this period will carry over to a full driving licence once a learner has passed a test too, meaning it’s important that learners follow the rules of the road and drive safely whilst learning.

Failure to follow the rules may lead to points on your provisional, which will then stay on your record when you pass your test. Fines can also be issued to learner drivers, or in extreme cases, you may receive a driving ban before you’ve even passed your test!

Can You Get Points on a Provisional Licence?

You can get points on a provisional licence, just like you can on a full one. There are a number of reasons why learner drivers can receive points on their licence and even fines. Some causes are as expected, such as speeding, but there are a few specific rules for learner drivers only, let’s take a look at these.

Driving Without Proper Supervision

By law, learner drivers are required to be supervised by either an instructor or another driver who has held a valid driving licence for at least three years. If a learner is caught driving alone it can lead to a number of potential punishments:

Your learner insurance policy will be invalidated, and any future policies you take out are likely to have higher premiums as a result of your actions too.
You can receive up to six penalty points on your provisional licence. The points will carry over to your full licence once you pass too.
You can face a substantial fine of £1,000.
A potential temporary driving ban if enough points are accumulated, which will have long-term impact on future insurance premiums.
A permanent mark on your driving record.

Driving Without L Plates

In the UK, learner drivers must display L plates at all times. They need to be the correct size and colour too; failure to follow this rule can result in up to six penalty points placed on your provisional licence.

Driving on a Motorway Without an Instructor

To drive on a motorway, learners must be with their ADI (approved driving instructor) in a car with dual controls. Breaking this rule can land learners with three penalty points and a £100 fine.

Driving Without Insurance

All drivers need insurance, including learners! Driving without insurance is a serious offence, potentially leading to an unlimited fine, eight penalty points or even a ban from driving. There are plenty of ways to insure learners if you only need to insure a car to practise for a few days we have daily learner insurance options.

Speeding as a Learner

Speeding is an offence for all drivers, but for learners, you could face even more consequences. The minimum penalty for this offence is three points on your licence and a £100 fine. But learner drivers should know speeding may also cause a delay in taking your driving test, meaning you’ll have to wait longer to get your full licence.

What Happens if You Get Points on Your Provisional Licence?

Points that are accumulated on your provisional licence WILL carry over to your full driver’s licence.

Learners and qualified drivers alike should avoid accumulating points. If a driver has only had their licence for less than two years and has six or more points, your licence can be revoked! This means driving carefully in the first few years of your driving life is vital, otherwise, you risk setting yourself back, costing you time and money.

Penalty points can last on your record from four to 11 years depending on the offence!

How Many Points Can You Get on Your Provisional Licence?

Learner drivers can gain up to 11 points on their licence and still take their test, but that doesn’t mean they should. Accumulating points on your provisional licence means you put yourself at risk of a driving ban, even once you have your full licence.

In the first two years of driving after passing your test, drivers cannot surpass six points on their licence, otherwise, they could have their licence revoked. Penalty points on a provisional licence will set you up negatively for when you pass your test, as you’ll have to be extra careful not to get any more points during the probation period.

Also, accumulating points or having previous driving bans will impact the cost of insurance for you. This means it’ll be more expensive to get insured as a new driver due to having a poor record, and with insurance premiums at an all-time high, this is something all drivers will want to avoid.

If there is anything to take away from this, it’s that driving carefully and within the rules of the road is the most important thing a driver should do whether you have a provisional licence or a full one. As a learner, mistakes will happen naturally, but by taking care on the road and following simple protocols such as having supervision, being insured and displaying L plates, you’ll be able to keep your record clean as you work towards passing your test.

Fortunately for learner drivers, our flexible temporary learner insurance provides a great option for practising outside of lessons. Choose from daily, weekly or monthly options so you can get those extra practice hours in outside of lessons and get your full licence in no time!

Everything You Need to Know About Supervising a Learner Driver

2 May 2024 09:04 Comments Off

Learning to drive can be a daunting prospect – but supervising a learner can feel just as – if not more – intimidating. On average, learners require 45 hours of driving lessons with their instructor, but it’s recommended they bank 22 extra hours of independent driving practice, too. To ensure they’re able to continue their learning outside of lessons, learners can purchase temporary learner driver insurance and practise privately with a supervisor of their choice.

Learner practice insurance is one of the best ways to insure a learner – it represents a cost-efficient, flexible way for learners to build up their road experience, without having to pay their instructor every time they get behind the wheel. But there are some specific requirements for who can supervise a learner driver, to ensure the safety of both the learner and supervisor throughout the sessions, and to make sure that the learner gets the most they can from their private practice.

Who Can Supervise a Learner Driver?

If you’re wondering who can supervise a learner, how old you have to be to supervise, or how long you have to have been driving to sit with a learner – don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

You must adhere to all the following requirements to supervise a learner driver:

Be at least 21 years old
Have held a full and valid UK driving licence for a minimum of 3 consecutive years
Be qualified to drive the type of car the learner is practising in – for instance, if your licence is only for automatic vehicles, you can’t supervise a learner practising in a manual car.
You’ll need to be insured to drive the vehicle being practised in, should you need to take over the driving at any point.

If someone without the necessary credentials is found to be supervising a learner driver, the learner can face hefty penalties before they’ve even passed their driving test – facing a fine of up to £1000 and 6 penalty points on their provisional licence for driving without the correct supervisor. The repercussions are even worse if a learner is caught driving alone – so it’s very important to always have an appropriate supervisor whilst practising!

Rules for Supervising a Learner

Once you know you’re legally fit to supervise a learner driver, you’ll need to ensure you’re also following all of the rules to supervise correctly. For instance, you must never use your mobile phone or travel on the motorway whilst you’re supervising a learner driver. Ideally, you should take the learner to practise in quiet areas with fewer road users around – like car parks, industrial estates, or less congested rural areas.

When supervising a learner driver you have to sit in the front of the car, as sitting anywhere but the front passenger seat diminishes your capacity to supervise safely and correctly. It’s worth noting that learner drivers can have passengers – as long as you or another supervisor is in the front with them, they can carry up to 3 other passengers (including children) in the backseat.

Before you so much as open the passenger door, you also need to ensure that the practice vehicle meets the necessary standards to be roadworthy. The vehicle the learner driver practises in should be registered with the DVLA, hold an up to date vehicle tax certificate, have a current MOT certificate, and have a valid insurance policy in place, too.

What Insurance is Needed for Supervising a Learner Driver?

Many people are unsure about whether the person supervising a learner driver needs to be insured. The short answer is yes, they do. The supervisor must have their own insurance in place if they’re not covered by the learner driver’s insurance policy, as they might need to take control of the car at any point during the practice session. Temporary car insurance is the easiest and most affordable way to get insured on the learner’s own car as a supervisor – allowing both supervisor and learner the freedom to switch positions should the learner require a break, for the supervisor to demonstrate a manoeuvre, and so on. What’s great about temporary cover is that you can just get insured for an hour or two, so you only have to pay for how long you need, rather than dealing with expensive annual costs.

Don’t forget the learner must also be insured to drive the car – our temporary learner insurance is a great option for that.

Requirements of the Learner to Go Out on Driving Practice

To be able to go out on driving practice the learner must hold a provisional driving licence and be at least 17. The learner will also need to meet the minimum eyesight standards – a good test is whether you can comfortably read a number plate from 20 metres away, or about 5 parked cars away. It’s okay if the learner driver needs glasses or contact lenses to achieve this, provided they’re wearing them at all times when driving.

When on a practice session L plates should be correctly displayed in a prominent position on the back and front of the car, to signal your presence to other road users. Not displaying your L plates can result in 6 penalty points on your provisional licence!

Unfortunately, being a learner doesn’t exempt you from speeding fines or tickets, and if you’re caught speeding the blame lies with you (the learner), not the supervisor. Should the learner be practising in someone else’s car, as the perpetrator of the offence, they’re still responsible for settling the fine and dealing with any other consequences.

The learner driver must be supervised by someone at least 21 years of age, who has held a valid driving licence for at least three consecutive years. In scenarios where supervisors are flouting motoring law (for instance, using their mobile phone, being under the influence of alcohol) learner drivers can also be penalised, as they’re not being supervised by someone who can control the vehicle if they need to. Learners need to pick their supervisors carefully in this respect! It’s best to choose an experienced driver, as the secondary controls your instructor has won’t be available for the supervisor to take control over the vehicle with.

Rules for Supervising a Learner Driver

It’s a big responsibility to take on the role of supervisor for the learner driver in your life – not only will you be helping them to build their confidence before their driving test, but they’ll also be relying on the knowledge you have accrued throughout your year.

Remember when you are supervising you must also behave as if you are behind the wheel. This means that you can’t be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and that you can’t use your mobile phone while supervising a learner driver.

In fact, the supervisor can receive up to 6 penalty points on their licence as well as a £200 fine if caught on their mobile phone. If caught over the legal alcohol limits while supervising a learner driver, the supervising person could face charges, fines, and even lose their driving licence entirely. It is also illegal for the person supervising to fall asleep while they are in a driving lesson with a learner driver – this is not your opportunity to nap, no matter how confident you are in the learner’s capabilities!

The supervisor must be fully qualified to drive the type of car being used for driving practice, meet the legal minimum eyesight standards, ensure that the car being used to practise in is safe and roadworthy and sit in the front passenger seat of the car at all times. Whilst you’re not their official instructor, you’ll be playing a large role in their learning experience – so we’ve put together a few handy tips for supervisors.

Get up to scratch on the Highway Code so you can impart correct, up to date information to the learner.
Consider talking to the learner’s driving instructor before your practice session, so they can give you an honest idea of where the learner’s up to and what they need to work on – there’s no point trying to show them how to parallel park before they’re comfortable changing gears.
Choose the areas and times you practise in wisely – a busy roundabout at rush hour is unlikely to inspire confidence in your learner.
Be alert and responsive – you might spot potential hazards faster than the learner and they’ll need your expertise to guide them through any tricky spots.

Encourage the learner to take driving breaks when needed.
Be specific with your feedback, so that the learner fully understands what you’re telling them.
Always stay calm to ensure the learner feels comfortable and doesn’t panic.
Be patient and empathetic! Learning how to drive can be extremely nerve-wracking, and it’s vital that the learner is able to learn from their mistakes to (eventually) feel confident behind the wheel.s

Supervising a Learner Driver’s Practice FAQs

Do learners have to have a supervisor when practising?

It’s illegal to drive a car with a provisional licence without a supervising driver with you. If caught driving without a supervising driver, you can face up to 6 points on your licence and a fine of up to £1000.

How old do you have to be to supervise a learner driver?

To supervise a learner driver you’ll need to be at least 21 years old, with a valid UK driving licence for the past 3 consecutive years. It’s worth noting that some insurers won’t insure a supervisor under 25 years old – so make sure you check the policy carefully before purchasing.

Can a learner driver have passengers?

As long as the person supervising a learner driver meets all the requirements, it’s perfectly legal for the learner driver to have passengers in the back. This also includes children. It’s not always advisable, however, because passengers can be distracting, especially for someone still coming to grips with driving.

When supervising a learner driver do you have to sit in the front?

You must sit in the front passenger seat at all times when supervising a learner driver.

Can learners practise at night?

Learner drivers are allowed to drive at any time of the day as long as they meet the necessary legal requirements. Driving at night is a great way to prepare for the driving test, as it teaches learner drivers to drive in different conditions and might be a good time to avoid busy traffic.

Can you supervise a learner driver if you have points on your licence?

Yes! It’s legal for someone with points on their driving licence to supervise a learner driver. They must, of course, still meet the other requirements.

What happens if there’s an accident whilst you’re supervising a learner?

In most cases, the person behind the wheel takes complete responsibility for an accident. However, if the supervising driver was intoxicated or in the wrong in some capacity, they too would be penalised.

Do you have to be insured to supervise a learner driver?

Yes – in order to legally supervise a learner driver, you’ll need cover. There are multiple insurance options for supervisors, but temporary cover is usually the most affordable, flexible choice if they are not already insured personally on the car being used.

Can you charge for supervising driving practice?

Unless you’re a qualified, approved driving instructor, you can’t receive any payment for your supervision.

Learning to drive is a huge milestone in anyone’s life – and helping a friend, family member or partner as they practise their driving is a really kind way to show your support. Whether you’ve been drafted in to help the learner in your life out the week before their practical test, or want to be on hand throughout every stage of their driving education, our temporary car insurance will ensure you’re covered, and our learner practice insurance will ensure they are – so you can run safe practice sessions with the right insurance for all.

Should You Learn Automatic or Manual?

23 April 2024 09:59 Comments Off

If you’re about to begin to learn to drive and need some guidance on whether to choose a manual or automatic car, or feel confused about if it’s better to learn in a manual or automatic – we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you decide which type will be best for you to learn in. Whichever you choose, our temporary learner driver insurance is always here for you to bank all the extra practice you need.

Is It Better to Learn Automatic or Manual?

There are pros and cons to learning in both automatic and manual cars. Depending on your personal preferences, you should be able to deduce which car type will suit you best. And whilst there’s no definitive answer to whether learning in an automatic or manual car is better per se, there are certainly compelling arguments to be made in favour of each, and a whole host of motoring attitudes to contend with, to boot.

Is Learning to Drive Automatic Easier Than Manual?

Typically, learning in an automatic car is regarded to be easier than learning to drive in a manual car. In an automatic car, learners don’t have to worry about clutch control – and certainly won’t have to contend with stalling on hill starts – which can alleviate a lot of anxiety for driving beginners. If you suspect you might feel a bit overwhelmed behind the wheel, you could consider learning in an automatic for this reason alone. Although road sense, steering and parallel parking (sorry) remains the same across both automatic and manual – not having to learn clutch control does make it technically easier to learn in an automatic car. It’s also worth mentioning that there’s no shame in choosing to learn in either type of car – there’ll always be negative connotations to both, but learning in an automatic doesn’t make you lazy, and learning in a manual doesn’t make you a superior driver to other road users!

How Long Does it Take to Learn to Drive Automatic Vs Manual?

Everyone learns to drive at a different rate, so there isn’t one hard and fast rule for how long it will take you to learn in an automatic or a manual car.

There’s no set amount of lessons or practice time you need to have before you take your test. However, it’s widely recommended to have 45 hours of driving lessons combined with 22 hours of driving practice with a supervisor. How much practice you need to feel ready for your test is entirely subjective though, everyone is different.

If you are looking for a quicker way to learn to drive – automatic can be a good option as it takes away the need to learn clutch control – allowing you to focus more on all the other elements of driving.

Pros & Cons of Learning to Drive Automatic

With more and more automatic cars on the roads these days, you’ll need to weigh up whether you stick to learning to drive manual or opt for an automatic licence.

Pros include:

No clutch control necessary

Automatic cars select the gears for you, meaning you don’t need to use a clutch or learn clutch control, which people sometimes struggle with. Not having to learn clutch control might also mean you need fewer lessons, and are able to pass your test quicker.

Plus, stalling in an automatic car is rare – even on tricky hill starts – and the ride feels less jerky all round. Drives on winding countryside roads or inching forwards in heavy traffic are also easier because there’s no need to constantly switch gears, lessening the stopping and starting.

Less to worry about for nervous drivers

A nervous learner has far less to focus on driving an automatic car (no clutch pedal or gear stick to contend with), which can lessen the pressure they might feel driving.

Inclusivity

People with physical disabilities or medical conditions which restrict their movement might prefer to choose an automatic car to learn in, as they require less physical operation.

Quicker reaction times

In an automatic car you can brake without needing to adjust the clutch – which can improve your reaction times in difficult situations on the road.

More automatic cars becoming available

As popularity for automatic cars continues to rise, and demand for manual cars has declined, many car makers have been phasing out manufacturing manual cars entirely, in favour of making more automatic vehicles. Learners today should consider that there’s a good chance they’ll end up driving an automatic car in the future – and could maybe skip the manual lessons altogether.

Cons include:

Your licence doesn’t cover manual vehicles

If you know you’re only ever going to drive an automatic car, don’t worry. But if for whatever reason you find yourself wanting or needing to drive a manual car, you’ll need to take another test.

Switching from manual to automatic can be a big change

Learners are unlikely to get bored behind the wheel whatever type you choose – being assessed on everything from checking your mirrors, blind spot and road position constantly doesn’t allow for laziness – but drivers making the switch from manual to automatic (once they’ve passed) might find the driving experience less stimulating overall. Of course, whether you’re driving an automatic or a manual, you should be actively engaged behind the wheel – but bear in mind that there’s definitely a big difference between the two, and adjusting to not using a clutch can be tricky.

Higher Costs

Although there isn’t a huge disparity in the cost of automatic and manual cars, the mechanical complexity of automatic transmission systems and technology can sometimes contribute to a higher price. Those learning automatic might have to pay more to buy a car once they’ve passed, and can even face higher insurance premiums, too.

Pros & Cons of Learning to Drive Manual

Learning to drive in a manual car might be the traditional approach, but it’s still worth weighing up the pros and cons before you book your lessons.

Pros include:

Your licence covers automatic vehicles

If you learn and pass your test in a manual car, you’re legally allowed to drive an automatic vehicle as well, without any further examination or paperwork. You’ll be able to borrow a friend’s car, even an automatic one (with the correct insurance), or hire an automatic car, using your manual licence.

Greater control of the vehicle

If you prefer a more interactive driving experience, driving a manual car entails greater control of the vehicle – you’re not relying on the automatic transmission to make your decisions for you – and necessitates a particularly active role behind the wheel. As operating the gears gives you direct control over the engine, driving a manual can feel reassuring in difficult road conditions or instances where you’d prefer to manage every aspect of the vehicle.

Cons include:

Requires more coordination

Getting used to using all of your limbs separately to nail clutch control, steering, and indicating can be really difficult for some learners – and even significantly hinder their progress.

Stopping and starting

Most drivers will agree that they hate sitting in traffic, but tackling traffic in a manual car can be especially frustrating – as there’s typically a lot of stopping and starting, requiring diligent clutch control and hyper-vigilance behind the wheel. For many learners, constantly stopping and starting can feel daunting, and distract them from other important lessons.

Automatic vs. Manual – Is Popularity Changing?

Whilst historically, learning to drive a manual was the norm – it seems the tables are turning… We see that 35 percent of all our temporary learner policies are for automatic cars nowadays, they are becoming the more popular option for many learner drivers. Interestingly we are also seeing the assumption that most learners are 17-18 being flipped on its head – 51 percent of our learner policies are for over 25-year-olds! Is learning to drive an automatic the obvious choice for older learners looking to pass quickly – or is it just becoming the more sensible option?

Whilst the debate between manual and automatic cars doesn’t look likely to be resolved anytime soon, data from the DVSA does suggest a couple of things it’s worth bearing in mind before you choose which you’d rather learn in. They found that the average pass rate for automatic driving tests between 2022 and 2023 was 42 percent – whereas the average pass rate for manual tests was 48 percent. It’s worth bearing in mind that unrecorded factors like anxiety play a part in these test outcomes – like, nervous drivers being more likely to choose automatic (as the perceived easier option), or more automatic tests being taken in urban areas (with more challenging routes than rural ones).

Despite a lower pass rate for automatic tests, our partners, PassMeFast, report that demand for driving lessons in automatic cars has risen by 89 percent from 2019 to 2023 – reflecting the greater demand for electric and hybrid vehicles that can be seen across the motoring industry. There have also been a few instances of celebrities opting to learn in automatic vehicles – with footballer Phil Foden’s automatic pass and singer Jade Thirwall’s celebrations garnering national media coverage recently – potentially swaying younger learners (or fans) to choose automatic.

It does seem certain that learning to drive in 10 or 20 years will look significantly different from how it looks today – with plenty of prospective motorists more than happy to skip those clutch control lessons…

When it comes to deciding which type of car to learn to drive in, we’d recommend making your own pro and con list, taking into consideration any personal factors that might influence your decision. You’ll undoubtedly face challenges in both manual and automatic cars, but that’s a natural part of the learning process!

Whichever you choose, make sure you’re getting plenty of practice in, with our temporary learner driver insurance.

What is the Best Way to Insure a Learner Driver?

16 April 2024 16:11 Leave a Comment

Learning to drive can be incredibly exciting and nerve-wracking, with many new drivers plagued with questions before they hit the road – like whether they should learn to drive automatic or manual, what’s the best way to insure a learner driver, or even how to insure a learner driver…

We understand that knowing the cheapest way to insure a learner driver is of the utmost importance, lessons don’t come cheap so you don’t want to be spending a fortune on insurance for practice too.

While there are a host of long-term insurance options available for learning, we recommend utilising short-term learner insurance as a means of covering yourself. After all, there might not always be someone available to accompany you on your practice drives – meaning that long-term insurance is money being wasted, when short-term insurance provides you the option of insuring yourself as and when you need – in minutes.

We’ve put together a complete guide to the best ways to insure learner drivers – so you can hit the road as soon as possible knowing you’ve chosen the best insurance for your driving practice!

The Importance of Insuring a Learner Driver

When learning how to drive, practice makes perfect – with research showing that it takes people 45 hours of driving lessons in addition to 22 hours of private practice to pass their test. It’s not just good practice to insure a learner driver – it’s a legal requirement to be insured whilst driving, even if you don’t have a full licence. This means that you’ll always need valid insurance when you get in the car – with the exception of when you’re getting into a car with a qualified driving instructor, as they will have that in place already.

In addition, learner drivers are a lot more prone to bumps and scrapes than a veteran driver due to their experience. This means that having insurance in place is essential to safeguard your finances – and our short-term insurance protects the vehicle owner of the practice vehicle’s no-claims for this exact reason.

What to Look for in a Learner Insurance Policy

Flexibility

When insuring a learner driver, there are several things to look for to find the best policy. The first of these is the flexibility of coverage available. While short-term insurance can be purchased on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis (up to 24 weeks), ‘typical’ insurance works differently, locking you into the policy for roughly a year. As a learner might not require this long to pass their test, this could become a costly endeavour.

It’s also important to consider that the hours when you can get in this practice are limited by several factors, including the availability of a supervisor, working hours, inappropriate weather conditions and much more, meaning that finding the best way to insure a learner driver can be difficult. This means that the ‘as and when’ opportunity provided by short-term insurance gives you the perfect opportunity to practise without any wasted time – and you can secure a quote within minutes, which means sporadic practice sessions are easier than ever.

Affordability

Another thing to look for is the affordability of your learner insurance policy. There are multiple factors that affect the cost of insurance, and being a learner or new driver is one of them. You can’t lie to bring insurance costs down, as a learner you will typically face higher insurance costs. Just make sure to select a policy that accurately reflects your needs, instead of selecting one that sounds better due to add-ons that won’t impact your driving. Practice in a sensible car that won’t drive your insurance costs up, and consider temporary cover to help bring costs down too.

Coverage

A key factor of any insurance policy is what it covers. For learners, we always recommend comprehensive (fully comp) insurance, as inexperience behind the wheel makes the risk of an accident more likely. While this type of insurance is more expensive than third-party only or a policy that combines third-party, fire and theft, it will cover damage to both your vehicle and another vehicle, even if the learner is at fault. This makes investing a bit more money worth it in the long run.

No Claims Discount

It’s essential to look for mention of protection of the car owners’ no-claims discount when seeking the best policy for a learner driver. This is because your no-claims discount (not having to make a claim on your insurance in the event of an accident) might be impacted in the event of a learner crashing. Whether it’s their own fault, or the fault of another party, not having no-claims discount protection could lead to the vehicle owner’s no-claims discount being lost, and their insurance premium subsequently rising.

Comparing Learner Driver Insurance Options

The best way to insure a learner driver is to research all of your options thoroughly before you purchase a policy – which is why we’ve gone through each of the learner driver insurance options below.

Temporary Learner Options

Temporary insurance is one of the best options for learner drivers purchasing a policy. This is because you can take out cover for exactly as and when you need it – or extend it on an ongoing basis – and the price will be much cheaper than traditional long-term insurance. This also means that if you pass your test quickly, you won’t be locked into an expensive, long-term policy. We offer specialised learner insurance at GoShorty, which makes insuring a learner very easy, and quick.

In addition, our policies ‘protect’ the owner of the car as their no-claims bonus will not be impacted in the event of the learner being in an accident.

Traditional Insurance

Some insurers offer longer-term coverage, which can be purchased until the day you pass your test. This is a great option for learners who have ongoing access to a supervisor or individual who can jump in a car with them at any time. However, these policies are often accompanied by strict regulations and can be very costly – meaning the longer it takes to pass your test, the more expensive it will be.

Adding Learner to Your Insurance

Another means of insuring a learner driver is by adding them onto your car insurance as a named driver. This is sometimes the best option for anyone learning to drive in a car owned by a family member, such as a parent, or a close friend. The policy provides flexibility and one swift call to a current insurer, but there’s a risk of the original driver’s premiums increasing, or an accident impacting their no-claims bonus. Plus, you can often end up having to pay for a longer period of cover than you might need.

The Cheapest Way to Insure a Learner Driver…

For flexibility and protection short-term learner insurance remains one of the best – and most cost-effective – choices for learners.

With short-term insurance, you can purchase up to four hours of cover from £19.99. With the cost of learning rising by 47% since 2023, being able to just pay for cover when you are going out practicing can be a big money saver.

Alternatively, four weeks of coverage will only cost you from £66, which is just over £15 a week. This is compared to adding someone as a named driver to an existing policy, which can cost up to £1,300 per month – a saving of over £1,200.

In addition, short-term insurance caters to the needs of anyone who will be driving intermittently, meaning if your supervisor is going away for a few weeks, you won’t find your expensive long-term insurance going to waste

And that’s why temporary insurance is the best way to insure a learner, you’ll just be paying for cover when you need it – making it far cheaper than more long-term options. You can get a quote and try it for yourself in under two minutes, start getting your practice in today with our learner driver insurance options…

Learning to Drive in Winter: Tests & Lessons Guide

11 January 2024 09:34 Comments Off

So it’s time to pass your test we hear? Well, it’s hard enough at the best of times, but in today’s learning environment you’re fighting just to get a teacher, then a test date, and then the all-important pass or fail. It might seem like everything is geared towards making life difficult for those learning to drive and taking lessons – but we’re on hand to help.

As winter wraps its chilly embrace around us, the journey towards obtaining a driver’s licence becomes even more of a challenge, with roads ranging from slippery ice to aquaplaning wet. Driving test pass rates decline throughout winter and with a substantial backlog of learners eager to hit the road, waiting for the summer sun isn’t an option.

Fear not, for GoShorty is here to guide you through the intricacies of driving lessons in winter as well as tests. We’re also available to cover all your learner insurance needs. In this comprehensive manual, we’ll explore the considerations, tips, and invaluable insights to equip you for a successful journey on the frosty roads.

So, let’s dive into the winter driving mastery guide and turn the challenges of the season into stepping stones towards your driving licence.

Understanding Driving Challenges in Winter

Embarking on the journey to obtain a driver’s licence during the winter season adds an extra layer of complexity to an already transformative experience. Winter comes with unique challenges for both driving lessons and tests. In this chilly landscape, the skills acquired during lessons and tested during assessments are not only a testament to driving proficiency but also an assurance of safety on frosty roads. We have plenty of winter driving tips to help you be prepared for what to expect…

Navigating Icy Roads

Winter introduces the peril of icy roads, turning routine drives into what feels like shark-infested waters. In your lessons, learn the art of controlled braking and steering to navigate safely on icy surfaces. A driving test in the snow is not unheard of. One thing that can’t really be taught is knowing how to control a skid (always turn into it). Your natural reactions will tell you otherwise, though!

Driving in the Dark

The winter months usher in longer nights, requiring learners to adapt to reduced visibility or driving with headlights. Discover tips for driving in the dark, emphasising the importance of well-maintained lights, effective scanning, and defensive driving. You can practise this fairly easily in all months of the year, you’ll just have to make sure your instructor is still awake if you’re driving during the summer months!

Adapting to Unpredictable Weather

It’s often joked that the UK can see all four seasons in a single day. Who are we kidding, we can often see all four seasons in a single drive! Winter weather can be precarious and change at a moment’s notice, transforming a clear day into torrential rain in the blink of an eye. Lessons in all weather conditions will prepare you to handle sudden changes in road surfaces and visibility.

Vehicle Maintenance in the Cold

Cold weather can impact your vehicle’s performance. Gain insights into winter vehicle maintenance, ensuring your car is in top condition for your lessons and tests. P.S. Knowing all this will definitely help if you haven’t conquered your theory test yet.

Road Safety Protocols

As winter alters road conditions, understanding safety protocols becomes paramount. Your lessons will focus on adapting your driving style to different surfaces, such as icy patches, wet roads, and snow-covered lanes.

Tips for Winter Driving Lessons

Choose Optimal Lesson Times

Schedule your lessons during daylight hours to maximise visibility and once you’ve refined your abilities, you can test them in the dark. It’s wise to avoid extreme weather conditions to ensure a safe and effective learning experience, but be sure to practice in adverse conditions as you progress (under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor, of course).

Mastering Vehicle Control

Winter conditions demand heightened vehicle control. Focus on honing skills like controlled braking, steering on slippery surfaces, and maintaining a safe following distance. Don’t forget to give vehicles in front plenty of space, braking times are extended on wet roads.

Emergency Manoeuvres

Equip yourself with the knowledge of emergency manoeuvres, including skid control and recovery. These skills will prove invaluable when navigating unexpected situations on winter roads.

Extra Practice

It’s important to get as much driving practice in as possible before your test. In winter, when driving tests can be even more stressful than usual, this is even more important. To safely practice driving you will need learner driver insurance, and an appropriate driving supervisor in the car with you. Our temporary learner insurance options range from the usual short-term policies we offer, all the way up to six months of learner insurance. So you can practice your driving and get ready for your test whatever the season.

**Tips for Winter Driving Tests**

Preparation is Key

Approach your winter driving test with thorough preparation. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges winter poses and practice relevant manoeuvres in various weather conditions. Know where your lights are (and how to turn the correct ones on). Lucky you if your car is new enough to do it automatically, but make sure it’s set up correctly! Same goes for wipers, you don’t want to be thrown on your test by struggling to get your wipers working during a sudden downpour.

Familiarise Yourself with the Test Routes

Adhere strictly to speed limits, know where there are roads that have quick braking zones and roundabout exits that drop from 40 to 20mph. Practice the tricky junctions, know the giveaway spots and once you’ve done all this, you just need to turn up on time!

Master the Manoeuvres

You’re going to be asked to do at least one of the stated manoeuvres – practice, practice, practice! They are tricky when you have to do them in winter conditions, so make sure you’re comfortable and work on the ones you struggle with most.

Stay Calm Under Pressure

Winter driving tests might throw unexpected challenges your way. Stay calm under pressure, apply the skills you’ve learned, and communicate effectively with the examiner. You’ve got this!

Alright, buckle up, winter learners! Learning to drive and conquering that test during the frosty season is no small feat, but with a dash of determination and a sprinkle of savvy, you’ll be cruising through the challenges like a seasoned pro.
From gracefully gliding on icy roads to mastering the art of emergency manoeuvres, the season’s winter wonderland becomes your training ground. Optimal lesson times? Think daylight to show off your skills, saving the dark for the victory lap. And hey, understanding weather reports is your secret weapon. So, embrace the chill, conquer those roads, ace that winter test, and remember, GoShorty’s got your back when you’re ready to hit the road regarding all your temporary insurance needs.

Taking Your Driving Test in Your Own Car

6 November 2023 17:24 Comments Off

Getting through your driving test in your very own car is possible, and easy to do thanks to our temporary learner driver insurance.

With booking a driving test these days feeling as difficult as securing front-row concert tickets to your favourite artist, and driving instructors juggling schedules like seasoned circus performers, it might feel like you’re having to get the stars to align just to swap out that learner’s licence for the real thing.

The prospect of taking your driving test in your own vehicle could be a game-changer for all learners out there. Bid farewell to the stresses of aligning schedules with busy instructors and embrace the freedom of acing your driving test in the comfort and familiarity of your own vehicle. Easy!

We’ve detailed this comprehensive guide to completing a driving test in your own – or somebody you know’s car – ensuring you’re fully covered and compliant with the DVLA’s specifications every step of the way.

You know all about driving practice insurance, but ensuring you have the right driving test insurance is equally important. It’s the secret sauce that ensures your journey to driving success remains smooth and hassle-free.

So if you finally get a test date but your instructor’s car isn’t available, don’t worry – with our driving test insurance you can go ahead with that gold-dust test date, by using your own car.

What Insurance is Needed for Taking Your Driving Test in Your Own Car?

Dreaming of cruising into your driving test in the comfort of your own car? Or perhaps a relative has helped you practise all this time and you would find it more comfortable to complete your test in the car you’re most used to. We get it, and we’ve got you covered!

Taking your driving test in a car of your choosing could be your golden ticket to that prized pass; but as with everything, there’s some rules to follow.

Insurance for driving tests can be confusing, but here at GoShorty, we offer our support making sure you’re fully-equipped to tackle the test behind a trusted set of wheels.

So, “What kind of insurance do I need to take my driving test?” we hear you ask. Our temporary learner driving insurance is of course the answer! Whether you’re 17 or 74 we’ll cover you, with a super low excess, and comprehensive cover. Our temporary learner insurance for a day is perfect for your test day, covering you for some practice beforehand, the actual test and the victory drive back home!

What Criteria Your Car Needs to Meet to Be Used for a Driving Test

If you don’t have a car but you’re looking at purchasing one as soon as you pass, this may be your sign to make that exciting milestone purchase prior to your test. It goes without saying that it helps to get plenty of practice in the car you plan on using on your driving test to give you the best chance of passing. And with our learner driver insurance, you can do just that – your dreams of freedom right at your fingertips!

Consider yourself a car novice? No worries, we’ve done the research for you and highlighted the best cars for new drivers. Equally, you can also check out what the most popular cars to learn to drive in are for inspiration.

Whether it is a new car, one you are borrowing or a car you have been practising in already, it needs to meet certain criteria in order for it to be test worthy.

A few things to note, in order to take a test in your car, you’ll need to have the following:

No warning lights on the vehicle
No tyre damage, or space saving tyres
Be roadworthy
Have L-plates fitted
A working speedometer
Be clean and tidy, not smelling of smoke
Have an interior mirror fitted for the assessor

Unfortunately, if your car doesn’t meet the DVLA criteria, your assessor has the right to cancel your test, something you definitely want to avoid.

Why You Might Want to Take a Test in a Car That Isn’t Your Instructor’s

Let’s break down why you shouldn’t delay your test just because your instructor is unavailable.

Imagine the disappointment when trying to borrow your instructor’s car for a spontaneous test that’s just become available on a week’s notice, only to find their schedules swamped with other commitments. Having your own car could be the answer, allowing you to take a test at your convenience.

Taking your test in a private vehicle not only has the potential to save you headaches but also your wallet! Say goodbye to the additional costs associated with booking your instructor and their car for your test, and save those additional pennies for perhaps a set of wheels of your own?

Should you have a generous family member or friend who is kind enough to lend you their car whilst you earn your driving stripes, you will need to look at the costs of adding a learner driver to their insurance, you will find temporary learner insurance is the best option in that scenario.

The Benefits of Taking Your Test in Your Own Car

Taking your test in your own car offers a multitude of advantages. You’re already familiar with every aspect of your vehicle after all your driving practice, from the positioning of the mirrors to the precise way it handles corners, giving you that extra edge when manoeuvring those tricky turns and nail-biting parallel parks.

You would have been practising in this car outside of lessons and the safety of your instructors dual controls – so you should be extra confident in your solo driving abilities in your own vehicle.

And as long as you have had enough lessons and practice and are ready, you will be fine to take your test in your own car, just make sure you are comfortable with all the controls.

Driving tests are always a nerve racking experience, but not being able to use your instructors shouldn’t be seen as a cause for more nerves!

In a nutshell, mastering your driving test in your own car is within easy reach, and with the right driving test insurance in hand, you can navigate this journey with confidence and ease. So, rev up your engines and get ready to conquer the roads with the assurance that GoShorty has your back, every step of the way.

“Can I use my own car for a driving test?”. With GoShorty, the answer is always yes. Get a quote today!

The UK’s Most Popular Learner Cars

8 August 2023 16:03 Comments Off

It’s hard to deny that Brits love their cars. Maybe that’s why there are over 40 million of them on our roads. Plenty of us could spend hours arguing over which is the best – or at least our favourites – so we thought we’d find out the real answer for ourselves.

Learner drivers often face a host of problems when getting behind the wheel. From finding the best car insurance to finding the right vehicle for them to practise in.

Practical driving pass rates are steadily dropping year on year. But, this year alone another 1.3 million drivers will be eager to get behind the wheel and do their best to secure their licence. So it’s more important than ever for learners to find the car perfect for getting temporary learner cover on and of course practising in…

**What Makes A Popular Learner Car?**

The best learner cars have a few things in common. They’re reliable, sturdy and guaranteed to start in the morning – even after a few dicey emergency stops or a missed gear or two.

Smaller cars are usually more popular as they have less powerful engines, so allow learners a bit of leeway, especially when it comes to narrow streets and tight parking spots. Anything that can help a learner avoid a bashed door or bumped bumper is high on the list of wants.

**What Is The Most Popular Car To Learn To Drive In?**

We set out to discover which cars are the most popular to learn to drive in, across the UK. After diving into our internal data, looking into the cars most commonly covered using temporary learner insurance, one car came out on top.

According to our data, it seems that learner drivers up and down the country find it hard to beat the Ford Fiesta. One in ten UK learners choose the Fiesta to get some well-needed practice in, before trying their hand at the practical driving test – making them the most popular learner car on the market.

But it’s not just learners that are fans. Our previous survey on driving behaviours and attitudes revealed that 22% of UK motorists think Ford drivers are the politest on the road, beating other popular brands like Vauxhall and Volkswagen to the title.

So learning to drive in the popular Ford Fiesta might just mean you turn into a particularly polite road user too – great news!

Which Learner Cars are Popular and Where?

Ford Fiestas are popular learner cars all over the UK, but our research has shown a clear North / South divide with regard to other practice cars.

Northerners seem to be especially fond of the Fiesta, with 33% of learners in the North West choosing it as their preferred car to insure for driving practice. Liverpudlians were the model’s biggest fans, with 18% of learners in the region choosing the classic model to motor around in.

Down South it’s a slightly different story. While 8% of the UK put Vauxhall Corsas at the top of their list of popular learner cars, in London 18% of learners are opting for the versatile car – a huge increase on the national average. Scottish learners are also Corsa fans, with 9% of aspiring drivers getting insured on the iconic Vauxhall.

Interestingly, the Midlands showed split results – with 15% of learners getting covered on the Fiesta, whilst another 15% were taking out insurance on a Corsa.

While there are some clear favourites, the most popular cars to insure for learner practice is still a hotly contested race, nationwide.

In Wales, the Mercedes A-Class was a clear favourite, beating the Corsa, Fiesta, and Nissan Micra. Sadly, the Volkswagen Polo didn’t crack the top five and instead was narrowly beaten by the Golf, Toyota Aygo and even the larger Nissan Juke. Learner cars are getting fancy these days!

**What Do Learners Need To Consider Before Taking Their Test?**

Finding the right car is just one piece of the puzzle. From discovering the right instructor for you, to passing your theory exam and getting the right car insurance for practising, costs can quickly add up.

Since the pandemic, learners are facing longer and longer waiting times for tests, so it’s important that every driver heads into their exam, happy and confident. So, being able to get all the practice that you can, to make sure you do your very best is crucial.

Before passing your test, being added to someone else’s annual policy can become expensive, making it difficult for learners to practise on a schedule that works for them. Even new drivers can be stuck with pricey long-term policies that lack flexibility. That’s why car insurance for learner drivers can offer you flexibility to save costs and just get insured when you want to practice.

GoShorty offers comprehensive learner cover for as little as one hour to 28 days. Our quick and easy quoting process allows learner drivers can get behind the wheel in as little as 90 seconds. Take a look at our learner policies and find a deal to suit both your wallet and lifestyle.

Insuring a Learner Driver Guide

27 June 2023 10:33 Leave a Comment

Learning to drive can be as challenging as it is exciting, necessitating plenty of practice. In addition to lesson time with an instructor, the DVSA advises spending time driving another car to finesse your skills. All of this means that learning often comes with a hefty price tag – both for lessons and the associated learner insurance needed for extra driving practice.

Fortunately, there are options available to ease the financial burden – whether you’re looking to cover yourself, or if you’re a parent wondering how much it might cost to add a learner driver to your insurance policy.

The common scenario of parents looking to insure their child on the family car for practice sessions presents two main options. The first option is to add the learner driver to an existing annual insurance policy, and the second is to consider temporary learner driver insurance, where you can insure a car temporarily for the duration of a practice session.

**What is the Best Learner Driver Insurance?**

There are a few options when looking at the best options for insuring a learner driver.

Black Box insurance

This is a good option if you have your own car while you’re learning, but it will add an additional cost to the overall process. If you pass your test, you’ll need to update your policy and might be liable for a cancellation fee, too.

Adding a learner driver to your existing policy

This might seem like a convenient choice, but it’s essential to consider the costs involved – as provisional drivers are regarded as higher risk by insurers – and how often the practice will take place. You don’t want to pay an additional premium to add a learner driver to the insurance policy, only for the car to be used a handful of times!

Depending upon your existing policy, you might also face losing your no claims bonus if a provisional driver is behind the wheel.

Temporary learner driver insurance

This offers a flexible and much more cost-effective solution. With temporary cover, you only pay for the times when the learner will actually be driving the car, making it an excellent choice for occasional practice sessions. Temporary learner driver insurance also provides the added benefit of protecting your no claims bonus, while keeping ongoing costs significantly lower than other options.

Whichever solution you opt for, it’s worth comparing prices and using a cost calculator to work out which option gives you the best bang for your buck.

**How Much Does it Cost to Insure a Learner Driver?**

Adding a learner driver to your annual insurance policy can result in significant expenditure, and ultimately affect your own policy. Opting for temporary learner driver insurance with GoShorty can save you a considerable amount of money and provide the peace of mind that you won’t lose your no claims bonus.

Let’s take a closer look at our pricing options:

Daily Learner Driver Insurance

For an extended session, or if out and about for the whole day – daily learner driver insurance typically costs around £29. This option is ideal if your learner driver needs extended practice periods.

Monthly Learner Driver Insurance

For the regular, fastidious learner, monthly coverage could provide a great, cost-effective option. With prices averaging around £58 per month, it provides comprehensive coverage for regular practice sessions.

Remember, ensuring that your learner driver is adequately protected while practising is crucial for their safety – and your peace of mind! With the right insurance solution, you can make the learning journey more affordable and enjoyable for each of you.

Opting for temporary learner car insurance will save you money, provide full coverage and empower the learner in your life to confidently begin their driving journey, with GoShorty.

Tag Archive: learner car insurance

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