Learners Charged L of a Lot

By SONYA McLEAN

LEARNER drivers are charged 70 per cent more for car insurance than fully qualified drivers, it emerged yesterday.

And even those with experience are still being charged higher premiums.

A survey of Ireland's top insurance companies asked how much a 28- year-old Dublin man's premium would be if he had three years experience, had never made a claim and had no penalty points.

The applicant, a bank assistant, was insuring an Opel Corsa worth EUR14,000.

FBD quoted EUR565 for a fully qualified driver, but the premium went up to EUR958 - almost 70 per cent more, if he was still on a provisional license.

AXA's quote revealed a 65 per cent difference with Quinn Direct just 26 per cent apart.

A spokesman for FBD said it charged learner drivers more because of the "type of claims they typically made".

All learners now have until June to pass or be accompanied at all times by a driver.

But it was revealed just two of Ireland's 2,000 instructors are registered with the Road Safety Authority as Advanced Driving Instructors.

Under new legislation, any instructor who is not registered as an ADI will be breaking regulations "at a future date" if they "teach for payment".

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