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How much is car insurance for 18 year olds in the UK? 

24/03/2025

Car insurance for 18-year-olds can come with a hefty price tag. Our latest average car insurance cost data shows, the average premium for drivers aged 17-24 is £1,986.

This has fallen from a high of £3,056 in February 2024. However, it is still a long way off the current average for the whole of the UK, which is £769. Meaning young drivers pay an average £1,217 more a year to meet legal requirements for UK roads.

But don’t forget prices fluctuate depending on a range of variables, like your car model, where you live, and what type of coverage you opt for. The silver lining? Even as a young driver, you have options to cut down on costs. 

Young driver car insurance costs across UK regions

Reference – Data from Quotezone.co.uk, this data uses a random sample of over 100,000 UK car insurance policies from October 2024 – December 2024.

Average car insurance cost for young drivers in UK

RegionAverage for 17-24 year oldsOverall UK Average
London£3,229£1,240
North West England£2,589£882
Yorkshire£2,542£847
West Midlands£2,626£972
North East England£2,208£688
East Midlands£2,327£791
South East England£2,145£730
East of England£2,140£732
Scotland£2,005£652
Wales£1,991£675
South West England£1,788£590
Northern Ireland£1,748£671
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Why is car insurance more expensive for 18 year olds? 

Car insurance costs more for 18-year-olds because they pose a bigger risk as young inexperienced drivers. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reports that one out of five new drivers has an accident within their first year of passing their test. 

Data from the road safety charity, Brake supports this. It reveals that drivers under the age of 20 are 33% more likely to be killed in a car accident than someone in their 40s or 50s.

How can I get the cheapest car insurance for 18 year olds in the UK? 

1. Carefully choose the car you get insured on 

Choosing the right car can significantly reduce your insurance cost. Go for cars in lower insurance groups, which will generally be smaller cars with less powerful engines. These vehicles are cheaper to insure because they cost less to fix and are less likely to get into serious accidents. 

3. Consider a black box insurance policy 

A black box policy also called telematics insurance, can cut down on premiums. It will keep an eye on how you drive, giving you cheaper premiums if you’re safe behind the wheel. It’s a smart choice for 18-year-olds who drive responsibly. 

5. Keep your car as safe as possible 

Did you know that where you choose to park your car overnight affects your insurance cost? More than half of people park their cars in private driveways at night, cutting their car insurance costs by about £140 compared to street parking. 

At Quotezone, we looked at data from over 850,000 drivers and found that carports are the cheapest place to park, while parking on the street can make your insurance go up by as much as £400.

7. Add an experienced driver to your policy 

Adding an experienced named driver with a clean record can sometimes lower your premium. But don’t be tempted to “front” your insurance. This is when you declare experienced drivers are the main driver when they’re not. This is illegal and could invalidate your insurance.  

2. Pay your premium annually instead of monthly 

It might feel like a big hit at the time, but paying your insurance annually usually works out cheaper in the long run compared to monthly payments. This is because monthly payments come with added interest charges.  

4. Keep a clean driving record 

Our research shows how penalty points impact car insurance premiums. Getting three penalty points can cause your car insurance costs to go up by 5%. The increase gets much bigger with more points. Six penalty points can push your premiums up by 25% or even more. So safe driving doesn’t just keep you out of accidents – it also helps keep your insurance premiums down.

6. Don’t modify your car

Modifications such as tinted windows, neon lights, exhaust modifiers and even stickers can increase insurance premiums. Some modifications can even void your insurance policy, so check that any modifications made are compliant with UK road regulations.

8. Shop around and compare quotes for 18 year olds car insurance 

Don’t just go with the first quote you get. At Quotezone, we make it easy to see what different insurers are offering. Never let your policy auto-renew as it will often be much more expensive than comparing the market again.  

What is the best car insurance for 18 year olds? 

Choosing the best policy for you is easier when you know all your options. Learn what each level of coverage means and choose accordingly, but be aware that less cover doesn’t always mean cheaper insurance. Your main coverage options include:

Third-party only cover 

The law requires third party cover as the bare minimum. It protects you if you harm other people’s property or hurt someone. But it won’t help if your car gets damaged. It’s the most basic insurance option but may not always be the cheapest available. 

Contrary to popular belief, third-party policies are now 73% more expensive than fully comp car insurance for an average driver. This is because it’s often the go-to option for young drivers, and they are seen as more of a risk in the eyes of the insurer due to having no driving or no claims history.  

Third-party, fire and theft 

Third-party, fire and theft covers claims from others and also helps if your car is damaged by fire or gets stolen. It gives you more protection than just third-party coverage, but not the same level as fully-comp. 

Comprehensive cover 

Comprehensive or fully comp cover is the highest level of protection for your car. It covers damage to your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. This means you’re covered for accidents, theft, fire, and vandalism, providing full insurance protection. It’s the option that gives you the most peace of mind – especially if you’re a young driver.  

What are the cheapest cars to insure for 18 year olds? 

Smaller, less powerful cars with lower insurance groups tend to be the cheapest cars to insure for young drivers. 

The more valuable, specialised or powerful your car is, the higher its insurance group is likely to be. And higher insurance groups generally mean more expensive premiums. So it might be worth considering a more modest car that falls into a lower insurance group category if you’re a new driver.

Insurance groups run from group 1 to group 50, and are used by insurers to determine the risk of insuring a specific car model. Insurance groups can change over time, but to get an idea of some of the best options for 18 year old drivers, here are some examples of cars currently in insurance group 1:

  • Chevrolet Spark 
  • Citroën C1 
  • Fiat Panda 
  • Ford Ka Plus Studio  
  • Volkswagen Polo Beats 
  • Skoda Fabia  
  • Smart ForFour Pure 
  • Hyundai i10 
  • Fiat Panda

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18 year-old car insurance FAQs

Can an 18 year old pay monthly for car insurance?

Yes, an 18 year old can pay monthly for car insurance. However, monthly payments usually come with added interest, making it more expensive overall than paying annually. So if you can afford it, it’s always best to try and pay your insurance in one lump sum as it can save you any added interest costs.  

Will an 18 year old’s car insurance for men be more expensive?

Insurance costs cannot be based on gender alone. However, insurers do consider the risk profile of the person they insure when setting premiums. The ABI reports that young men behind the wheel are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared to drivers over 25​. This means insurance for 18 year old males could be higher than their female counterparts.   

Is car insurance for 18 year olds compulsory?

Yes, regardless of your age, all drivers must have appropriate insurance to drive legally on UK roads. The law says you must have at least third-party coverage, but it’s a good idea to look around and get prices for other coverage options too as third-party isn’t always the cheapest way to go. 

If I take an advanced driving course will I get cheaper car insurance for 18 year olds?

It is possible that advanced driving courses can help lower your insurance premiums. It shows insurers that you are committed to being a safer driver, reducing the perceived risk. 

Courses like those from IAM RoadSmart, Pass Plus RoSPA, and the AA all aim to boost driving skills. They can help with things like driving on motorways, at night, and in the countryside. 

Better driving skills could also help you save on fuel and reduce wear and tear on the car, offering money savings in the long run.

Can I earn a no claims bonus if I’m added to a family members policy?

Unfortunately, you cannot build a no claims bonus whilst you are on another person’s policy. Insurers only offer a no claims bonus to the main driver of an insurance policy. The good news is some insurers will consider the time you have spent driving as a named driver, when it comes time to take out your own policy, and this could be rewarded with similar discounts. 

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References:

https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2024/1/motor-insurance-premiums-continue-to-rise-as-insurers-battle-costs

https://www.brake.org.uk