Insuring your vehicle is becoming increasingly more expensive and in some instances is more expensive than the cost of the vehicle itself. You should always consider the cost of the insurance when you’re thinking of buying a vehicle...

CHOOSE THE RIGHT CAR
To begin with, the cost of your insurance will initially depend on what vehicle you have, the engine size and value of the vehicle. Generally, if the vehicle is considered as a desirable vehicle, thus at high risk of theft, the insurance will be more expensive. The larger the engine size and the more the vehicle is worth the higher the insurance will be.

SHOP AROUND
When insuring your vehicle you should always search around for the best deal. Although this can be time consuming and tedious you could potentially save hundreds in the end, so it’s definitely worth it! If you have access to the internet, why not try online comparison sites for example, www.bewiser.co.uk, www.gocompare.com, www.comparethemarket.com, www.confused.com etc. which are regularly advertised on TV. It may also be beneficial to go to some insurance companies direct as they may not feature on such comparison sites i.e. www.directline.com. Please ensure that you check the authenticity of an insurance provider before signing up to them, as many people, particularly young, are being ‘hooked in’ by low premiums only to find that they aren’t actually insured and have also lost their money.

NOTE: If your insurance is up for renewal it is advisable that you shop around for a better deal elsewhere before signing up for another year with the same insurance provider – most insurers will provide their best offers to new customers.

YOUR INSURANCE POLICY
You can reduce the cost of your insurance by agreeing to pay a higher excess should you ever need to make a claim, as will agreeing to a limited amount of miles each year – you must not exceed the agreed mileage though as this will invalidate your policy. Even changing the method of payment for the insurance can reduce the cost, usually opting to pay annually rather than in monthly instalments will work out cheaper, also giving you ample time throughout the year to save up for next year’s annual premium.

Storing your vehicle in a garage when it is not in use can reduce your insurance premiums, though if you are not able to keep it in a garage some insurers may discount your policy for other security devices, so be sure to ask the provider what these are. Even having the car parked on a driveway instead of the road can reduce the policy cost.

On the other hand, many people search for insurance based mainly on the price however, you should always verify what the policy coverage is, as you may end up paying more in excess premiums than necessary if you ever need to claim. If you have accumulated years of no claims discount it’s advisable that you have no claims discount protection on your policy, as the discount can considerably reduce the cost of your insurance and without protection you’re at risk of losing it if you should ever change insurers.

OTHER DRIVERS AND YOUR POLICY
If you are a parent you should resist the appeal to add your children to your insurance policy. As an additional driver they won’t build up a no claims discount, which will only delay their first few years of high insurance expenses until later and usually adding inexperienced drivers to your policy will raise the cost of your insurance as well.

Especially if you are new to driving, insurance can be very expensive so consider adding your parents/guardians or partner, who already drives, to your policy. This can drastically reduce your insurance cost however, before you add anyone to the policy you should always check with the insurance provider that you still qualify for a no claims discount.

TIP – You can reduce your insurance by taking advanced driving courses e.g. Pass Plus, got to www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers for more information on taking the pass plus course.

THE VEHICLE If you haven't got your own vehicle yet see our article on buying your first vehicle to find a car that suits you. Once you've bought a car you will need to get used to how it drives. We would recommend going out on quiet roads, out of peak times, to become accustomed to the new vehicle before driving in busy traffic - don't forget to adjust the mirrors and seat before you set off and ensure you have enough fuel to get you to and from your destination.

You should maintain and service your vehicle correctly, the service schedules are based on the age and mileage of the vehicle, see your car's manufacturers guide for details or contact your local garage. Make sure the tyre treads are legal and the tyre pressures are correct - this includes having a legal spare tyre. Ensure all the lights are working before heading off and if the weather conditions are poor make sure your windows are clear before moving. If you are ever in doubt of the safety of your vehicle seek advice from your local garage.

You are legally required to have a valid MOT, road tax and insurance on your vehicle which needs to be renewed every year.

For advice on driving in poor weather conditions see our blog: Vehicle winter checks and tips

READ THE ROAD AHEAD
Make sure you are extra vigilant when driving. Drivers of all different ages and driving experience are on the roads with you. Take some of the following precautions when driving:

- Maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front as this will give you more time to react to anything that happens ahead. For example, if the driver in front slams their brakes on then you have a time advantage and are less likely to hit into the back of them. Being able to brake in time instead of swerving the vehicle will prevent the possibility of you losing control of the vehicle. If someone is tailgating you stay calm and pull over when it is safe if you feel necessary to do so.

- Recognise and anticipate potential hazards before they develop. E.g. if you are coming up to a set of traffic lights and they turn red you should begin to slow down within plenty of time. You shouldn't need to brake heavily when the car in front slows down or once you are really close to the lights. By doing this you are driving economically and will cut down your fuel expenses, see our blog for further information on driving economically. Another example would be when the traffic lights turn green check that the intersection is clear before you go, another driver could have skipped a red light and could be driving in your direction.

- Mirrors, ensure that you check your mirrors when you change speed and direction.

IN-CAR DISTRACTIONS
Avoid having any distractions in your vehicle. You shouldn't drink or eat whilst driving or use your mobile phone, to prevent your phone from being a distraction you could consider turning it on silent. As a new driver even loud music can be distracting so whilst you are becoming familiar to the vehicle you could consider turning the radio down or off until you are completely comfortable with driving.

Driving with a group of friends can be off-putting even for the most experienced of drivers. You should experience driving on your own and/or with a responsible adult before giving lifts to friends.

ARE YOU IN THE RIGHT CONDITION TO DRIVE?
Before setting off on any journey, however short, you should always be in a good driving condition. So if you have had an argument with someone or are upset it is advisable that you don't drive as your judgement may be misguided. If you feel tired or feel yourself becoming drowsy whilst driving you should pull over at the next service station or next safe place to have a high-caffeine drink and a rest.

Although by law you are legally able to drive with a small amount of alcohol consumption we'd recommend not driving at all if you've been drinking. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect your reaction time and judgement.

For more advice on drink and tired driving see our blog: Driving in the festive season

 BAD DRIVING HABITS
Try to avoid picking up bad habits, you should comply with all traffic rules i.e. wearing a seatbelt, sticking to the speed limits, stopping at red lights and giving way at junctions etc.

Make sure all your passengers are also buckled up before you pull away.

ACCIDENTS
Vehicle shunts, crashes and breakdowns are inevitable, no matter how responsible you are. In case of an emergency you should keep the following items in your car:

- A phone with a substantial amount of battery
- Emergency phone numbers: Parents/Next of Kin & break down recovery
- Insurance details
- First aid kit
- Bottled water and long-life food
- Torch and extra batteries
- Blanket/jumper
- Money

If you are going on a long or over-night journey you should always tell someone where you are travelling to.
REMEMBER the more driving experience you have, the more you will increase in confidence and improve.

To begin with, congratulations for passing your driving test! You are now able to join the millions of people already on the roads. But remember, whether you passed first time or took a few attempts as a new driver you still have a lot to learn. You are most probably feeling excited, anxious or even scared about driving independently but don't worry this is normal - check out the below tips to help keep you safe.

Buying a new car in the UK

Twice a year the vehicle registration plates change (March and September) which causes the vehicles with the ‘old’ plates to be reduced in price. Therefore you have two opportunities a year (February and August), to grab yourself a good deal on a 1 year old car! Dealers will drop the price of the vehicles with the old registration plates as they are then classed as ‘dated’ – making room for the vehicles with the new registration.

SHOULD YOU WAIT FOR THE NEW NUMBER PLATES TO BE ISSUED TO BUY? The car dealers will see a boost in sales in March and September as many people will want to be seen driving vehicles with the new registration plates. If you are fortunate enough to have a large amount of expendable income and wish to have the latest gadgets then waiting for the new number plate to come out would be the best time to buy for you.  However, if you want a cheaper alternative to a new car then it is advisable to wait till February or August each year to buy a vehicle that has the ‘older’ registration plate.

REGISTRATION PLATES EXPLAINED Recently the registration plate system changed, the new plates are for example: XX12 XXX

- The first two letters represent where the vehicle was registered.
- The 3rd and 4th digits are numbers which identify what age the vehicle is:

If the vehicle was registered in March it would be the year e.g. XX12 XXX. However if the vehicle was registered in September it would be the year + 50 e.g. XX62 XXX

- The last three letters is a randomised combination which is collated when the vehicle is registered.

The old registration system explained
Example: X000 XXX

- The first letter identifies the age of the vehicle e.g. A = 1962 to 1963, B = 1963 – 1964, C = 1964 – 1965 and so on. The number plates changed each year in August until 1999 when it was then changed every 6 months.
- The three numbers and one letter from the final three are a random combination which is assembled when the vehicle is registered.
- Two of the final three letters represent where the vehicle was registered. 

WHAT VEHICLE WOULD BEST SUIT YOU?
First of all, before you start looking for a vehicle to buy, you should establish what you want from the vehicle and what you want the vehicle for - will you be buying the vehicle for the aesthetics or the practicality of it?

Before buying a vehicle, take the following questions into consideration...

DO YOU WANT A NEW OR USED VEHICLE?
NEW:
- If you are buying a new vehicle you should shop on price - every new vehicle will have similar guarantees and warranty wherever you buy it.
- To validate the warranty you must have the car serviced to the manufacturer's specification and at the specified time and mileage intervals.

NOTE - independent garages are generally cheaper for repairs and maintenance. Due to the Block Exemption Regulation they will not invalidate your warranty, therefore you are now not obliged to return your vehicle to the dealer during the warranty period.

USED:
- When buying a used vehicle you should always buy it locally, this is because if you incur any problems with the vehicle you should be able to easily access the previous owner.
- If the vehicle is sold with service & maintenance history, ensure that the paperwork is present before buying - don't give the seller the option to ‘send the paper work later'. Try to obtain the manufacturer's guide and service book also.
- Ensure the spare wheel and jack is present when purchasing the vehicle, these are often removed from the vehicle during the valet and sometimes not returned to the vehicle. Ask for the locking wheel nut key as well.
- Always ask if the car has been in any accidents, the seller is not required to disclose this information if you don't ask.
- Try to get a spare key for the vehicle and the security & radio code.
- Find out if the vehicle has been HPI checked - you don't want any outstanding payments from the previous owner(s) moved into your name.
- The best time to buy a newer used car is when it is about 3 years old, this is because the price would have significantly reduced from its initial bought price, yet it would have still been maintained correctly to validate its warranty.

IS IT FOR SOCIAL OR BUSINESS USE?
Whether you are using it for social or business, you may use the vehicle for commuting into London. As of the 3rd January 2012 the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) criteria will change, if your vehicle is not compliant with the criteria you will face a penalty charge every time you enter the zone - the emissions criteria is based on the age, weight and type of vehicle - usually only commercial & light commercial vehicles are affected. Click here to find out if the vehicle you're considering is compliant.

DO YOU WANT A VAN OR CAR?
If you will use the vehicle for a trade you will most likely require a van or a van derived car i.e. the Citroen Berlingo Multispace. This vehicle is ideal for people who may need the boot space for their business but alternatively need seats for passengers from time to time. On the other hand, for someone who will only use the vehicle for social use and possibly commuting you'll most likely require a car.

HOW MANY DOORS & SEATS DO YOU REQUIRE?
If you have children or are thinking of starting a family you'll ideally want a vehicle that has 5 or more seats and for easier accessibility a 5 door vehicle would be more suitable.

DO YOU NEED BOOT SPACE?
Boot space can be essential for a family, for someone who has pets or someone who regularly carries a load, ensure to take this into consideration before you buy a vehicle.

WHAT TRANSMISSION DO YOU WANT - MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC?
If you learnt to drive in a manual vehicle it is advisable that your first vehicle is manual and that you drive a manual for at least a year after passing, this is so you are completely competent and gain more experience driving a manual before changing to its automatic counterpart.

WHAT ENGINE SIZE?
If you're a young driver and/or have only recently passed your test, a vehicle with a small engine would be advisable as your insurance will be cheaper - consider adding your parent/guardian/partner, who already drives, to the policy as a ‘named driver' as this can drastically reduce the cost of your insurance. However, before adding anyone as a ‘named driver' to the policy you should inform the insurance provider, as you may now not qualify for a no claims discount.

WHAT FUEL TYPE?
There are a few different options - petrol, diesel, LPG, etc. If your predicted annual mileage is high this could influence the type of fuel you choose. For those who do high mileage you may consider having a dual conversion LPG vehicle which gives you the option of using either petrol or LPG, as LPG costs on average half the price of petrol & diesel, this can drastically reduce your annual fuel bill.

ADVICE ON BUYING THE VEHICLE
Before buying a vehicle once you have decided on a make and model you like, you should look at between 5 and 10 different examples of this vehicle which are in the same price range. This will give you an idea of what a good example of that particular vehicle is.

If you are ever in doubt about a cars condition you should have a general check over carried out by an independent garage before buying. They will give you impartial advice, and the seller should be more than happy to allow another garage to look over the vehicle if it is in good condition. Although a vehicle may have an MOT certificate this does not certify that the vehicle is in good condition, this is ONLY a sign that the vehicle was roadworthy AT THE TIME OF TESTING.

It is advisable to buy from a dealer with a premises over a home trader, the reasoning behind this is that if a dealer has a premises and possibly a website they are less likely to move out of your area within a short period of time, thus making them more reliable to contact if there was a problem with the vehicle.

TIP - consider buying a similar vehicle to that you learnt to drive in, most makes of vehicles will have the same gadgets and feel when driving them.

Before you can learn to drive you must hold a Provisional Driving Licence for Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

YOU CAN ONLY APPLY FOR A PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCE IF YOU...
- Are a resident of Great Britain.
- Meet the minimum age requirement (17 years of age, 16 years old for people receiving the higher rate of disability living allowance) For further information on any medical or health conditions that may affect your driving go to www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring.
- Meet the minimum eyesight requirements – you should be able to read a number plate from a minimum distance of 20 m. If you have any visual conditions that affect your eyes or sight, not including long/short sightedness and being colour blind, you must inform the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).
- Are not currently prevented from driving for any reason
- Are able to pay the fee by cheque, debit or credit card (Master Card, Visa, Electron or Delta)
- Hold a valid UK passport or another form of identity and a national insurance card/letter – To find out more about identity documents visit www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring
- Are able to provide a current address and previous addresses for the past 3 years.
- Have a passport photo that has been signed by a reputable person who you’ve known for at least 2 years.

NOTE: You will be required to send off your original documentation confirming your identity and it’ll take approximately 3 weeks to be processed and returned from the time the DVLA receive your application (if you have any medical conditions the application can take longer to process).

APPLYING FOR A PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCE
You can apply for your provisional driving licence up to three months prior to your birthday. You can apply online through the DirectGov website (www.direct.gov.uk) or by sending your application in the post. Pick up a provisional driving licence application form from your local Post Office (www.postoffice.co.uk) or apply to receive the form through the DVLA online order form service - www.dvla.gov.uk/dvla/onlineservices.

LEARNING TO DRIVE
Once you’ve received your licence you can begin learning to drive. However, you must ensure that the vehicle you choose to drive is in a roadworthy condition and is correctly taxed and insured. As you only hold a provisional driving licence you must be accompanied by another driver over the age of 21 that holds a full driving licence and has done so for at least three years. You are also legally required to display learner ‘L’ plates in a noticeable position at the front and rear of your vehicle - if you live in Wales you can display ‘L’ or ‘D’ plates.

Learning to drive can be a very daunting experience, but remember to just stay calm. You should be in safe hands if you are learning with an ADI instructor (Approved Driving Instructor who has been approved by the Driving Standards Agency) as they will have taken extensive tests to gain more driving experience, knowledge and instructing abilities. Most driving instructors will have a dual control vehicle which means they’ll be able to help you with the clutch and brake whenever necessary.

DRIVING TESTS
You must hold a valid provisional driving licence to take both the theory and practical driving tests. You’ll be required to pass a driving theory and practical driving test in order to obtain a full driving licence. To find out current driving test fees see Direct Gov's website (www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring). You must pass your theory exam before you can book and sit your practical driving exam.

THE DRIVING PRACTICAL TEST
- To take your practical test you must hold a valid theory pass certificate
- Find your local driving test centre on www.dft.gov.uk
- The most convenient method to book your practical test is to book online which you can do at: www.driverpracticaltest.direct.gov.uk -as with the theory test you will also be able to make any alterations or cancel your booking online. To book your practical test online you'll need to have your valid provisional driving licence, your theory test certificate and credit or debit card to hand - if you wish to take your test in your driving instructor's car you'll also need your driving instructors personal reference number (their ADI number). If you wish to use your own vehicle check that your car complies with the testing rules beforehand, see these at www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest. The alternative options are to book over the phone by calling 0300 200 1122 or to book by post by downloading the practical test application form and sending it to this address: Driving Standards Agency, Booking Department, PO Box 381, Manchester M50 3UW, along with a cheque or postal order payable to ‘Driving Standards Agency'.
- Once your application has been accepted you will be sent an ‘application reference number', you will need this if you wish to check, re-book or cancel your booking, you can do this on Direct Gov's website: www.driverpracticaltest.direct.gov.uk/
- The test will last approximately 40 minutes.
- At the beginning of the test you will be required to do the eyesight test by reading a number plate approximately 20 metres away.
- Before you begin to drive you will be asked two vehicle safety questions - you'll incur a minor fault for any incorrect answers.
- To pass your practical driving test you will need to incur less than 15 minor faults and no serious or dangerous faults - serious and dangerous faults will result in an immediate failure. A dangerous fault is when you not only put yourself, but also your examiner and the public or a property in danger. A serious fault is a fault that could have potentially been dangerous and a minor fault is a fault that isn't potentially dangerous i.e. sitting at a junction for longer than necessary, however if you continue to repeat the same fault it could become a serious fault.
- During the test you will be required to do one manoeuvre, which could be either a reversing park (parallel or bay-park), turn in the road or reverse around a corner. These manoeuvres are put in place to test the control you have of the vehicle, and your reversing ability.
- You may be required to carry out an emergency stop - this is generally carried out in 1 out of 3 driving tests.
- Throughout the test the examiner will give you directions, you will experience different traffic and road conditions i.e. roundabouts and junctions.
- As of the 4th October 2010 an independent driving section has been in place within the practical driving test.
- For the duration of the test, the examiner will mark you on your general driving ability, marking down any faults that you may have made. At the end of the test the examiner will tell you the result and then explain any faults you've acquired if you so wish.

INDEPENDENT DRIVING SECTION
The independent driving section will last the duration of approximately 10 minutes of your overall driving test. In this section you'll be asked to follow either a series of directions on a map or follow a series of road signs - you can end up with a combination of both.

Try not to be anxious about taking the wrong direction or forgetting what direction you should take, as this can happen to the most experienced of drivers. This section is not to test your navigational skills, it has been put in place to ensure you confirm within plenty of time what direction you are taking, and that you make the correct decisions of when it is safe to proceed.

HAVE YOU PASSED OR FAILED?
If you failed the test you can easily rebook the test using the same method as before and can usually do this as soon as you finish the test however, in some cases, it can take a few hours for your test result to be processed. It is advised that you go through the faults which you incurred in the test with the examiner as this will be beneficial and you can then focus on correcting these before you take your next test - you will be given a failure slip with the faults listed. Although failing your test will be disappointing and costly, you can easily book another test and even though it is expensive you have to remember that once you do pass the test you have it for life, so look at it as an investment.

If you have passed you'll receive a pass certificate and the examiner will give you the option to have your full licence to be sent automatically, which means handing over your provisional licence there and then. On the other hand, you can send off for the full licence at a later date - click here for further details on applying for a full licence. Once you've passed you can drive straight away, you don't need to wait for your full driving licence to arrive. However, your driving instructor will drive you home from the testing centre. A high percentage of new drivers will crash within the first hour of passing their driving test, usually due to the heightened sense of achievement. Therefore please ensure that you are extra vigilant when you are new to driving independently.

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