High costs of driving causes downward trend in young drivers getting their own wheels
It’s not just the housing market that young people are being priced out of - the car-ladder is also proving to be a struggle for Britain’s younger generation, according to Direct Line.
The spiralling cost of motoring is one of the main reasons four in 10 (43 per cent) non-driving 18-25 year olds are without a licence and a quarter of drivers who have passed their test do not have their own set of wheels – with the majority of these blaming the high costs.
With the cost of buying and running a car nearing £5,700* in its first year, joining the car-ladder is out of reach for many wannabe motorists, with university costs (21 per cent of those who can drive but do not own a car), debt (12 per cent) and low wages (42 per cent) as the top three unavoidable expenses preventing them from getting a car of their own.
High costs of car-ownership are also causing young drivers to consider alternative ways to buy their first motor. One in 10 (11 per cent) have considered buying a vehicle with friends, with a quarter (25 per cent) agreeing it’s a good way to share costs. An eco-friendly 45 per cent of these youngsters also believe buying a car with friends is better for the environment. Statistics reveal that over 20,000 ** 18-25 year olds currently share a car with friends.
The first ever Young Drivers’ Poll from Direct Line, the UK’s largest private car insurer, reveals that despite the high cost of driving, three quarters of young drivers now own a car, with many (25 per cent) of these being given one by their parents to help them get onto the car-ladder.
As for those whose parents haven’t supplied them with a car one in 10 (eight per cent) have financed their motor by paying for it on credit, 13 per cent have taken out a loan from a bank and 10 per cent have borrowed money from a family member or friend.
Emma Holyer, Direct Line’s Motor spokesperson, said:
“It’s expensive for anyone getting on the road for the first time and we see many youngsters driving their parents car for the first few years. So to help young drivers Direct Line now allows named drivers on all policies to build up their own No Claims Discount (NCD) which should help to reduce the cost of insurance when they take a policy out in their own name meaning insurance costs are one less thing for them to worry about.”
And it’s not just financial pressure that young drivers who have access to a car face - 17 per cent feel required to run a taxi service for their non-driving friends. Close to one in five (18 per cent) young drivers sometimes feel so pressurised they dangerously overcrowd their car, despite four in 10 (41 per cent) admitting it’s difficult to concentrate due to passenger interruptions.
Emma Holyer, added:
“With fewer first time drivers owning their own car there can be increased pressure on those with one to drive all their friends around. We’re calling on all drivers and especially young drivers to avoid overcrowding cars and ensure all passengers are wearing seatbelts at all times.”
For more information, log on to www.directline.com.
-ends-
Emma Holyer, Direct Line Press Office
0208 256 2182 / 07725 944910
Email: emma.holyer@directline.com
Notes to Editors:
The research was carried out on behalf of Direct Line car insurance by YouGov Plc. A sample of 1,048 drivers between 18-25 were questioned online between 28th April to 2nd May 2006. A sample of 289 non-driving 18-25 year olds were questioned online between 5th and 8th May. Results are unweighted. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.
*According to the YouGov findings young drivers on average spend £4,212.76 on buying their first car and spend £129.72 per month on its running costs £129.72 x 12 = £1,556.64 + £4,212.76 = £5,769.4.
**According to the YouGov findings one per cent of young drivers have bought a car with friends which equates to 21,350. There are currently 4,994,229 young people between 18-25 in the UK and of these 57 per cent drive (2,846,710). 75 per cent of young drivers own a car (2,135,032) therefore 0.01 x 2,135,032 = 21,350.
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