So the long awaited envelope from the DVLA has just dropped through your letter box and you tear open the brown envelope to happily find your provisional driver’s license and you’re itching to get behind the wheels right then. But wait, have you got your learner driver insurance documents ready? Remember that it is illegal to drive any vehicle in the UK without a valid insurance policy.

So, is it easy to get one or not? Well, yes, as long as you can afford to pay for it. The problem facing most learner drivers with provisional licences is the cost of insurance. The premiums are high because of the statistics which have been gathered over the years put learners at a disadvantage. Think about these facts and then you’ll understand why premiums are so high for new drivers, who are mostly in the 17-25 year old age bracket.

First of all, young male drivers in the aforementioned age bracket make up only 3% of drivers on UK roads, but these young men account for a quarter of all serious road accidents, such as death caused by dangerous driving. Then for another statistic; the risk of an accident involving a death or injury is 7 times greater for drivers aged between 17 and 20 compared to drivers aged 40+. Yet another unfortunate statistic is that drivers under 21 are responsible for 15% of all accident deaths on UK roads. If you need another statistic, try this one; new drivers make up only 10% of driving licence holders, but they are involved in 29% of all traffic accidents. So insurers raise their premiums because a provisional license holder is more likely, especially if in the 17-25 year old bracket, to be involved in an accident than other drivers.

However you can get insurance, at a price. Unfortunately relatives and friends are often unwilling to put the name of a young learner driver on their insurance policy, because if they are involved in an accident, then the policy holder will lose his/her no claims bonus, which was difficult enough to get in the first place. A learner driver should realize that it might be better to get their own policy.

Go online and get some quotes, and don’t be too dismayed, there are companies out there which will help you get good deals. Some offer you a weekly policy, renewable every week, and this can cost less than 20 pounds a week. If you are fairly confident that you will pass your test quickly, then this option is worth considering. Companies also offer short term policies for 3 months, another cheaper option. If you have a car with a 1 litre engine, then this will also lower the premiums you pay.

When you get Third Party, Fire and Theft insurance, you should be aware that this does not cover you or your car, only the person who is accompanying you in the car and people and their cars you are involved in an accident with. The more expensive fully comprehensive policy is just that and covers everything and everyone, although you may have to pay for some of the damage incurred too.

So shop around and get the best deal for you, and remember, it’s illegal to drive without a valid insurance policy even if you’re a learner driver.