News Insurance shocker

Young people are giving up on the idea of learning to drive, according tonewresearch-anditcouldbedue 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.