Question regarding a provisional driver looking for car insurance. Please advise.

another question

Situation is as follows -

A young female has 2 EXPIRED provisional licenses.
She will only be issued a third provisional on presentation of (Confirmation of Driving Test Booking).

She is only intending to sit the AUTOMATIC driving test and hence intends to purchase an automatic car.

Problem arises here -

There are no driving instructors with automatic cars for her to practice or sit the driving test in so in order to learn/sit the test she needs to buy a car. However, the insurance quotes are huge and drop about €600 for a full license.

One company quoted €1500 for the year (provisional) and €850 for a (full license with 0 years experience).

Is it logically to ask the insurance company if they would refund the difference when she passes her test?

Please bear in mind that she cannot drive until she gets a third provisional which will only be issued on test booking confirmation, which gives her only about 11 weeks driving practice before the test. It seems ridiculous to pay a full years insurance quote on a provisional when she will have the full license for the remaining 9 months of the year based on the above situation.

Is it possible for an insurance company to quote for a provisional driver for say 3-4 months only.

Please advise as we are finding this incredibly confusing. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Marcusm

What part of the country is she in? Would it not be easier to travel for instruction in an automatic car?

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It would be so much easier but we have looked and we can't seem to find any instructor with an automatic car. They all say they are able to provide instruction if she had a car but they all have manuals. We're in Sligo. We would much prefer that she got her test / full license before looking for a car if at all possible. It's actually turning out to be a bit of a headache.

athtrasna

Most companies will refund the difference or if you're paying by direct debit they will reduce the amounts deducted to adjust for the difference.

Senna

Unless there is an actual need for an automatic, then I would suggest she learn in a manual and do the test in the manual. My mother only ever had an auto license and buying cars for her was always a PITA.
It just means a lack of choice in the used car market, especially if she wants a mid-size car (civic, focus, golf etc), plenty of large cars and plenty of city cars, but few in between in auto.

another question

athtrasna wrote: »

Most companies will refund the difference or if you're paying by direct debit they will reduce the amounts deducted to adjust for the difference.

It helps to know this, thank you.

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Senna wrote: »

Unless there is an actual need for an automatic, then I would suggest she learn in a manual and do the test in the manual. My mother only ever had an auto license and buying cars for her was always a PITA.
It just means a lack of choice in the used car market, especially if she wants a mid-size car (civic, focus, golf etc), plenty of large cars and plenty of city cars, but few in between in auto.

Without going into it, it does have to be an automatic unfortunately but we were actually quite surprised at the choice available. That side of it doesn't worry us too much to be honest.

blindside88

Most companies won't refund the difference in the two premiums as stated above. Why would they? They already have your money/business for the year and they're aware that there is no loyalty in the motor insurance market. They would usually refund a small amount and reduce the premium the following year. TBH €1500 is very good considering the gender equalisation legislation which came in in December

Marcusm

another question wrote: »

It would be so much easier but we have looked and we can't seem to find any instructor with an automatic car. They all say they are able to provide instruction if she had a car but they all have manuals. We're in Sligo. We would much prefer that she got her test / full license before looking for a car if at all possible. It's actually turning out to be a bit of a headache.

A quick google search throws up this crowd claiming to offer lessons in an automatic throughout Sligo; have you asked them?

http://drivinglessonssligo.ie/locations/automatic-driving-lessons-Sligo/

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Marcusm wrote: »

A quick google search throws up this crowd claiming to offer lessons in an automatic throughout Sligo; have you asked them?

http://drivinglessonssligo.ie/locations/automatic-driving-lessons-Sligo/

Yes, they don't answer the phone and have never replied to my emails. That was a couple of months ago and I tried again last week. No answer but thanks for looking.

dingus12

Gender equalization me hole, I challenge anyone to get the same quote for a male in the same circumstances.

Anan1

another question wrote: »

One company quoted €1500 for the year (provisional) and €850 for a (full license with 0 years experience).

Is it logically to ask the insurance company if they would refund the difference when she passes her test?

Most will offer some sort of a pro rata refund, but the admin charge will vary. Given that the ins co are the only people in a position to answer your question, it's pretty illogical not to ask them.

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Anan1 wrote: »

Most will offer some sort of a pro rata refund, but the admin charge will vary. Given that the ins co are the only people in a position to answer your question, it's pretty illogical not to ask them.

I will ask them - I'm just trying to gets quotes at the moment and when I have the 2/3 lowest companies - ill ask them then, I just wanted to get the general opinion. Is there ever an option to get provisional cover for a temporary period to save paying the annual cost and to save the hassle of lookin for a refund? Is there such a thing - kind like a temporary driver or temporary additional vehicle.

Anan1

another question wrote: »

I will ask them - I'm just trying to gets quotes at the moment and when I have the 2/3 lowest companies - ill ask them then, I just wanted to get the general opinion.

The 'general opinion' is useless to you - ask when you're getting the quotes. Depending on refund policy, the cheapest annual premium may not translate into the cheapest cover for 3-4 months.

another question wrote: »

Is there ever an option to get provisional cover for a temporary period to save paying the annual cost and to save the hassle of lookin for a refund? Is there such a thing - kind like a temporary driver or temporary additional vehicle.

Not that I've heard of. Again, that's a question for each ins co/broker when you're getting quotes.

djimi

another question wrote: »

Is there ever an option to get provisional cover for a temporary period to save paying the annual cost and to save the hassle of lookin for a refund? Is there such a thing - kind like a temporary driver or temporary additional vehicle.

You could always just cancel the policy when you pass the test and take out a new policy with your full license. That way you would be entitled to a refund of whatever was left on the policy (it wont be an exact percentage of what remains, but it will be something back at least). You wont get a no claims bonus for the part of the year, but its hardly the end of the world. If you pay by direct debit it means you will not have to hand over the full amount right away at the start.

Id be very surprised if you didnt get a refund when you pass the test though. Most people I know of did.

Staph

I'm sure most insurance companies will give you a refund once you pass the test. I rang mine once I passed, sent proof and received a cheque for the difference.

_Kaiser_

Actually.. related to this (hope the OP doesn't mind me hijacking this a bit)

If someone previously had the old style Provisional but let it lapse, do they now HAVE to go through the learner permit system, mandatory lessons etc, or can they just get a provisional again with the above mentioned proof of a test being booked?

If so, is there a time limit to doing this?

_Kaiser_

another question wrote: »

Without going into it, it does have to be an automatic unfortunately but we were actually quite surprised at the choice available. That side of it doesn't worry us too much to be honest.

I don't know if ISM are in your area but I remember they had auto's in Dublin at the time I was looking at it.

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Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Actually.. related to this (hope the OP doesn't mind me hijacking this a bit)

If someone previously had the old style Provisional but let it lapse, do they now HAVE to go through the learner permit system, mandatory lessons etc, or can they just get a provisional again with the above mentioned proof of a test being booked?

If so, is there a time limit to doing this?

Hi. I looked into this before. They explained to me that they will issue a third provisional on proof of test booking and that I wouldn't need to repeat the theory test either. As far as the lessons go - they told me to contact my previous driver instructor. I contacted him and he said as long as you had lessons prior to the new rules then you DON'T have to complete the now mandatory 12 lessons but he more or less said get on with it - sooner the better. I'm open to correction but that is what I was told.

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Does anyone know if I have to produce my Theory Test Certificate to obtain a 3rd provisional?

I have lost mine and a duplicate is €15. I know I need 2 new passport photos but I'm hoping they will have my theory cert in file and not need another one. Any ideas?

slimjimmc

another question wrote: »

Does anyone know if I have to produce my Theory Test Certificate to obtain a 3rd provisional?

I have lost mine and a duplicate is €15. I know I need 2 new passport photos but I'm hoping they will have my theory cert in file and not need another one. Any ideas?

You only have to submit the cert to get a first time Learner Permit (no such thing as an Irish provisional licence anymore).
If your last Learner Permit or Provisional Licence expired over 5 years ago then you will be considered a first time learner and will need to sit a new test and submit that certificate.

PDF document : http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed%20Drivers/D201_Learner_Permit_app_form.pdf

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slimjimmc wrote: »

You only have to submit the cert to get a first time Learner Permit (no such thing as an Irish provisional licence anymore).
If your last Learner Permit or Provisional Licence expired over 5 years ago then you will be considered a first time learner and will need to sit a new test and submit that certificate.

PDF document : http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed%20Drivers/D201_Learner_Permit_app_form.pdf

Thanks for that. I just realized that my first (provisional) was issued in July 2007. My second (provisional) was issued in July 2009. So the 5 years have actually lapsed.

I realize that I will need to sit a new Theory Test and submit that Certificate in order to obtain a Learner Permit however will I now have to sit the mandatory 12 EDT lessons.

I know it says on the RSA website than any learner permits issued before April 4th 2011 are not subject to the mandatory lessons but will this change for me now?

slimjimmc

another question wrote: »

Thanks for that. I just realized that my first (provisional) was issued in July 2007. My second (provisional) was issued in July 2009. So the 5 years have actually lapsed.

I realize that I will need to sit a new Theory Test and submit that Certificate in order to obtain a Learner Permit however will I now have to sit the mandatory 12 EDT lessons.

No it hasn't.  It's based on date of expiry not date of issue, therefore you are well below the 5 year limit.

another question wrote: »

I know it says on the RSA website than any learner permits issued before April 4th 2011 are not subject to the mandatory lessons but will this change for me now?

Nope. As you're still within the 5 year period you won't be deemed a first timer and mandatory lessons don't apply to you.

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slimjimmc wrote: »

No it hasn't. Your last provisional expired 4 years ago therefore the rest of your post doesn't apply to you.

I'm panicking and getting mixed up, thanks for the clear head. Can I give you some dates and would you mind (sorry about this) just telling me when the 5 years will be up for me.

Looking at my Second EXPIRED Provisional License at the minute it says the following:

Issued On : 16-06-09 so I'm guessing after 2 years it expired on 15-06-11. So am I correct in thinking that I have until 15-06-14 until I have to sit the Theory Test again?

When I open up the license it says 'Category B - from 12-07-07 - 11-07-11', if that's of any extra help to you.

You have just stopped my mini-heart-attack so thanks!

slimjimmc

another question wrote: »

I'm panicking and getting mixed up, thanks for the clear head. Can I give you some dates and would you mind (sorry about this) just telling me when the 5 years will be up for me.

Looking at my Second EXPIRED Provisional License at the minute it says the following:

Issued On : 16-06-09 so I'm guessing after 2 years it expired on 15-06-11. So am I correct in thinking that I have until 15-06-14 until I have to sit the Theory Test again?

When I open up the license it says 'Category B - from 12-07-07 - 11-07-11', if that's of any extra help to you.

You have just stopped my mini-heart-attack so thanks!

"Category B - from 12-07-07 - 11-07-11'"
12-07-07 = your first licence start date
(11-07-09 = your first licence expiry)
(12-07-09 = your second licence start date)
11-07-11 = your second licence expiry

I think you have until 10-07-16 to do the test (before 5 yrs are up), certainly appears to be no problem this year or next.
11-07-12 = 1 yr expired
11-07-13= 2 yrs expired
11-07-14 = 3 yrs expired
11-07-15 = 4 yrs expired
11-07-16 = 5 yrs expired


PS : It seems you were quite diligent at getting the second licence issued (16-06-09) before the first one expired.

another question

slimjimmc wrote: »

"Category B - from 12-07-07 - 11-07-11'"
12-07-07 = your first licence start date
11-07-09 = your first licence expiry
12-07-09 = your second licence start date
11-07-11 = your second licence expiry

I think you have until 10-07-16 to do the test (before 5 yrs are up), certainly appears to be no problem this year or next.
11-07-12 = 1 yr expired
11-07-13= 2 yrs expired
11-07-14 = 3 yrs expired
11-07-15 = 4 yrs expired
11-07-16 = 5 yrs expired

Lifesaver! Thanks a million - much appreciated.

slimjimmc

another question wrote: »

Lifesaver! Thanks a million - much appreciated.

You're welcome, deep breaths and re l a x

another question

A quick query - I know someone who has an automatic car but has a pristine record. He has suggested that if I wanted he would add me as a named driver for 2 months so that I could have lessons in the car and take the test in it as long as I paid the extra insurance. He must be driving 30 years + with no claims. Anyone have any idea what we would be talking about money-wise. He has no idea and I don't even know what insurance company he is with so I can't really get a quote. Anyone any ideas? I don't want to say yes until I know I can afford it, I don't want it to be something outrageous like €200 a month or something.

Anan1

another question wrote: »

A quick query - I know someone who has an automatic car but has a pristine record. He has suggested that if I wanted he would add me as a named driver for 2 months so that I could have lessons in the car and take the test in it as long as I paid the extra insurance. He must be driving 30 years + with no claims. Anyone have any idea what we would be talking about money-wise. He has no idea and I don't even know what insurance company he is with so I can't really get a quote. Anyone any ideas? I don't want to say yes until I know I can afford it, I don't want it to be something outrageous like €200 a month or something.

This is getting kind of repetitive, but he'll have to get a quote and then you can decide.