Members of Parliament have put forward proposals that aim to cut car insurance prices for younger drivers as costs continue to skyrocket.
MPs have suggested that young motorists, who see the most expensive prices, could have a limit on the number of passengers in their car.
Another solution could include restricting driving hours at night to force down costs and potentially even reduce accidents.
Carla Lockhart MP led a debate in Westminster Hall on Government support for young drivers in an attempt to slash coverage prices for motorists.
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MPs have supported the use of graduated driving licences
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She said that high premium costs were a barrier for young people getting a licence as some people face quotes above £3,000.
The DUP MP for Upper Bann said: “For 17-year-olds, premiums surge by an average from £1,423 to £2,877, for 18-year-old drivers the average policy price reached £3,162, and I have had constituents contacting me having had quotes of between £5,000 and £7,000 for a vehicle worth half the price.”
According to Confused.com, drivers aged between 17 and 20 experience the most expensive car insurance increases.
On average, 17-year-olds have seen a £1,423 jump in price over the last 12 months while 18-year-olds are paying £1,447 more than at the same time last year.
British drivers of all ages below 43 can now expect to see prices of £1,000 or more, on average, for their car insurance.
Carla Lockhart added: “I know many of these may not be what young drivers wish to see explored, as all bring with them some form of restriction on that freedom they desire, but given the situation now with insurance costs we must look at all ways that young drivers can force the hand of insurers to reduce those premiums.”
She suggested that the “most effective intervention” in reducing accidents would be a graduated driving licence scheme.
This would see a number of restrictions put on motorists who have recently received their driving licence for a short period of time.
Proposals include a 12-month minimum learning period, a ban on intensive driving courses, lowering the age at which people can learn to drive, lowering the blood alcohol limit for young drivers, as well as restrictions on the number of young passengers and driving at night.
Sir Bill Wiggin, the Conservative MP for North Herefordshire, expressed support for the scheme, saying: “One of the most important steps forward I think we could have is an industry supported training solution so that once you’ve passed your driving test, if you go on to further training you will get cheaper insurance.
“Having one passenger makes another difference to the insurance industry on a rather dark side, it means that if there is an accident there are less people involved, and therefore the cost of those life-changing injuries is reduced.”
In response to the proposals, transport minister Anthony Browne, warned that Government intervention in insurance could “damage competition overall”.
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New proposals have been put forward to help newly passed drivers
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He added: “I should say that insurance is a free market and it’s not one that is run by the Government and I think we’ve got a very strong regulatory regime in place, it does need to work to make sure those markets work fairly and in the interest of consumers.
“The Government does not intervene or seek to control that market, and nor should it try and control that market.”