ONE of the most liberating things for a young person to do is pass their driving test and get behind the wheel of their new car or be included on their parents’ insurance policies.
This rite of passage opens up a multitude of social and employment options, especially in Northern Ireland where so many people live in rural areas away from public transport links.
For many young people the wheels came off their drive to obtain their full licence over the past year as Covid-19 struck and the country was placed in lockdown.
But as of April 23, driving lessons and test were allowed to resume, as Northern Ireland began the process of returning to more normal times.
Unsurprisingly, demand is very high with over 20,000 people currently with valid theory tests needing to take their practical tests.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has said it is making all efforts to clear the backlog.
Roads minister Nichola Mallon has also confirmed there will be extended opening hours at test centres with a temporary theory test centre opening in Ballymena to help cope with demand.
As it may take longer for a test date to be secured it is a good opportunity to complete extra driving practice with a qualified driver in addition to ongoing driving lessons.
For those doing additional practice, learner driver insurance will cover you to drive your own, a friend’s or family member’s vehicle on a short-term basis. It should not be confused with adding a learner driver to an existing policy. Learner driver insurance is a separate standalone policy from the car owner’s policy, meaning if a learner has an accident, it won’t impact their no claims discount.
Learner driver insurance is an affordable, flexible and comprehensive insurance policy that covers provisional driving licence holders for as little as seven days, up to six months.
As a learner driver, you can put in some extra practice around your driving lessons with short-term car insurance for your own car or a car belonging to a parent, family member or friend.
AbbeyAutoline can stay with you for your entire motoring journey. Once you have successfully obtained your driving licence you can move from our learner driver insurance to our young driver’s product ChilliDrive.
ChilliDrive provides young drivers with affordable car insurance and promotes safe driving. It uses telematics technology which automatically monitors your driving by recording your journeys.
For every journey you make you will be given a score which is calculated based on your driving behaviours. This takes into account your accelerating, cornering, speed and braking.
Our experts will help you assess the cover that is right for you and be with you every step of the way as your motoring career begins.
:: Jeni McKelvey is personal lines director at AbbeyAutoline (https://www.abbeyautoline.co.uk)
