Saving Money as a New Driver

*Collaborative Post

Getting your first car is one of the most exciting things to experience.

Whether you’re a young driver or you’ve passed your test in your 30s, now is the time to discover a whole new meaning to independence. But for any new driver, there’s no denying that life might suddenly get a little bit more expensive.

Keeping on top of things will help you to enjoy your car more, so here’s how to save money on motoring.

1. Know the regular costs

Being a new driver comes with high costs at first, so it’s worth getting to know which of these will be recurring. Of course, the price paid upfront for the vehicle may be the highest, especially if you’re paying outright from money that you’ve saved up.

After that, you should expect to pay for insurance and fuel on a regular basis. And unless your car is exempt, you’ll also need to pay road tax according to its carbon emissions. However, there are a few ways to reduce these expenses with some savvy planning.

Smooth, efficient driving makes a great starting point. Steady acceleration and gradual braking mean lower fuel consumption, saving you money.

• Choose the right insurance policy

By choosing the right insurance policy, you can cut costs significantly. Many young drivers find that telematics insurance can be a great way to save, especially for those hoping to lower their premium over time. Safe, sensible driving earns a discount on renewal.

If you haven’t arranged car insurance yet, take the time to compare quotes from different providers. It may be worth exploring specialist cover for new and young drivers, especially if the policy includes reliable and on-demand customer service support.

• Drive a car in a lower insurance group

Vehicles with smaller engines and higher safety ratings usually cost less to insure and maintain. Every car falls into a separate category, usually according to a combination of factors including its engine power, market value, and risk.

If a particular vehicle is statistically linked to a higher-than-average number of collisions, it may be deemed higher risk by insurance brokers. Do your research and get insurance quotes for different types of car before you commit to buying a particular model.

• Improve your driving skills

Taking an advanced driving course like Pass Plus can demonstrate responsibility and may lead to insurance discounts. It’s worth checking with insurance providers beforehand though, since some won’t lower the premium even if you can prove your certification.

Policies with telematics cover offer favourable rates in reward for safe driving, usually applied on an annual basis at renewal.

• Plan fuel-efficient journeys

Finally, don’t forget that the way you drive matters hugely. To avoid spending more money than necessary, you should try to put the following habits into practice:

• Avoid short trips
• Car share whenever possible
• Keep your vehicle well-maintained
• Check your tyre tread depth and condition
• Drive at an appropriate speed

It doesn’t take much to improve your safety, save money on fuel, and make driving more affordable long-term. Time to hit the road!

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.