How New & Learner Drivers Can Save Money on Driving Costs
Passed Your Driving Test? How New Drivers Can Save Money on Motoring
Passing your driving test gives you freedom and independence – but unfortunately, it also introduces you to the rather expensive world of running a car.
Insurance, fuel or charging, road tax, servicing, tyres, MOTs and repairs can quickly add up. For younger drivers in particular, insurance alone can sometimes cost more than the first car.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce those costs without cutting corners on safety.
Whether you're currently learning to drive, looking for your first car or you've recently passed your test, here are some practical ways to keep the cost of driving under control.
1. Check insurance before buying your first car
One of the biggest mistakes a new driver can make is buying a car and then finding out how much it costs to insure.
Two cars with similar purchase prices can produce very different insurance quotes.
Before buying a car, get some example insurance quotes for that particular make, model and engine size.
And don't automatically assume third-party insurance will be cheaper. MoneySavingExpert points out that fully comprehensive insurance can sometimes actually cost less than third-party cover.
For younger drivers, it's also worth comparing conventional insurance with telematics or black-box policies. These policies can monitor things such as speed, acceleration and braking and may offer savings depending on the driver and insurer.
Useful guide: MoneySavingExpert – Young Driver Insurance
2. Learners: compare the cost of learner-driver insurance
Professional driving lessons are important, but private practice can be extremely useful too.
If you're practising in a parent's or family member's car, don't simply assume that adding the learner to their existing insurance is the cheapest option.
Separate learner-driver insurance policies are available and can sometimes be more economical. They can also help protect the car owner's no-claims discount depending on the policy.
Always check exactly what is covered before driving.
Useful guide: MoneySavingExpert – Learner Driver Insurance
3. Learn economical driving while you're learning to drive
Eco-safe driving isn't simply something to think about for the driving test.
Good forward planning can save money throughout your driving life.
Look well ahead, anticipate changes in traffic, accelerate progressively and avoid unnecessary harsh acceleration and braking. If you're driving a manual car, use an appropriate gear without unnecessarily over-revving the engine.
In an automatic or electric vehicle the principle is much the same: smooth inputs and good forward planning.
Instead of accelerating towards a queue, red traffic light or junction and then braking heavily, recognise what is happening early and adjust your speed progressively.
That's not just economical driving.
It's good driving.
4. Don't drive around on under-inflated tyres
Tyres are something every learner should become familiar with before passing their test.
Incorrect tyre pressures can affect safety, handling, tyre wear and efficiency.
Learn how to find the correct pressures for your vehicle and check them regularly – particularly before a long journey.
Don't simply inflate every tyre to a pressure you've seen online. Use the pressure recommended for your particular vehicle and load.
While you're there, check the condition and tread of the tyres too.
Useful information: GOV.UK – Vehicle Safety and Maintenance
5. Shop around for fuel
Once you've passed, it's easy to develop the habit of using the same petrol station every time.
But fuel prices can vary.
Price comparison services can help you find cheaper petrol and diesel nearby. Just don't drive miles out of your way to save a tiny amount per litre – the extra journey can wipe out the saving.
MoneySavingExpert suggests comparing local fuel prices before filling up.
Useful resource: PetrolPrices
6. Driving electric? Think about where you charge
For an EV driver, where and when you charge can make a substantial difference to running costs.
If you have access to home charging, check whether your electricity supplier offers an off-peak EV tariff.
When travelling, compare public charging prices rather than automatically using the first charger you find.
Some locations also provide free charging, although availability has reduced over recent years.
Useful resource: Zapmap – UK EV Charging Map
7. Don't automatically buy premium fuel
Your first car probably doesn't need the most expensive fuel on the forecourt.
Unless the vehicle manufacturer specifies otherwise, premium or higher-octane fuel is unlikely to be necessary for an ordinary car.
Check the vehicle handbook and use the fuel recommended by the manufacturer.
Paying extra for something your car doesn't require isn't necessarily giving it better care.
8. Learn basic car checks before something goes wrong
This is another reason the vehicle safety questions covered during driving lessons are genuinely useful.
Learn how to check:
tyres and tyre pressures
lights and indicators
engine oil where applicable
coolant where applicable
screenwash
warning lights
brakes
windscreen and wipers
Finding a small problem early can sometimes prevent it becoming a much more expensive one.
It's also worth checking your car before its MOT. Some MOT failures involve relatively straightforward problems such as defective lights or tyres.
You can check your vehicle's MOT status and history for free:
9. Check a used car's MOT history BEFORE buying it
This is a particularly useful habit for somebody buying their first car.
Enter the registration number into the Government MOT history service and look through its previous tests.
Don't just look at whether it passed.
Look at its failures, defects and advisories.
Repeated advisories involving tyres, suspension, brakes, corrosion or other components may give you useful questions to ask the seller and may indicate costs that could be coming your way.
An MOT history isn't a substitute for properly inspecting a used car, but it's free information – so use it.
10. Remember that buying the car isn't the full cost
A £2,000 car doesn't necessarily cost £2,000.
Before buying your first vehicle, work out the likely cost of:
Purchase price + insurance + vehicle tax + fuel/electricity + servicing + MOT + tyres + breakdown cover + repairs.
A slightly more expensive car that is cheaper to insure and maintain could potentially cost you less overall.
This is particularly important for new drivers working with a limited budget.
11. Make sure your car is taxed
There hasn't been a paper tax disc for years, which can make vehicle tax easier to forget.
You can check the tax status of a vehicle online for free.
If you've just bought a used car, remember that vehicle tax doesn't transfer to the new owner. You'll need to tax it yourself before using it on the road.
12. Don't blindly accept renewals
Once you've been driving for a while, insurance and breakdown-cover renewal notices will start arriving.
Don't assume your existing provider will automatically give you its best price.
Shop around, compare the cover as well as the headline price and make sure you're comparing like with like.
A cheaper insurance policy isn't necessarily better if the excess is huge or important cover has disappeared.
Saving money starts with becoming a better driver
There is an interesting connection between safe driving and economical driving.
Good observation helps you anticipate.
Anticipation allows you to plan.
Planning reduces unnecessary acceleration and braking.
And smoother driving can reduce energy consumption, fuel use and wear on the vehicle.
So some of the skills you're developing during your driving lessons aren't just there to help you pass a driving test.
They're skills that can potentially save you money for years afterwards.
At 4front Driving School, we want pupils to become confident and independent drivers – not simply people who can pass a driving test.
That includes understanding the vehicle, planning ahead, driving efficiently and knowing how to look after a car once you've passed.
If you're learning to drive in Loughborough, Quorn, Mountsorrel, Barrow upon Soar, Shepshed, Sutton Bonington or Sileby, 4front Driving School provides automatic driving lessons designed to develop those real-world driving skills.
More useful resources
This article is intended as general guidance. Insurance prices, tax rules, fuel prices and other motoring costs change, so always check current information before making financial decisions.
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