Insurance shocker
Young people are giving up on the idea of learning to drive, according to new research - and it could be due to the cost of insurance.
The number of 17- year olds taking the practical driving test has fallen by more than 100,000 since 2007- 08, while the overall number of under- 25s in the UK that are learning to drive is down by 20 per cent.
Recent figures show that a citybased teenager driving a small hatchback worth £ 8,000 can be quoted up to £ 13,498 for a comprehensive 12- month insurance policy.
And according to motoring consumer website Honest John those living in rural areas will be asked to pay a staggering £ 8,750 – with the rising cost of car insurance deemed to be the major contributor in young people delaying the decision to start driving.