two learner drivers

Hi!

My boyfriend wants to buy a car, and learn to drive. He had some lessons, but because he didn't have a car, basically couldn't learn quick enough without practice and his instructor told him to come back when he owns a car!

I can drive, but I never did my test. Back when I had my provisional we were allowed to drive without a qualified driver. I never sat my test because I'd moved to Dublin, couldn't afford my own car, and didn't need one.

Now I am 34 and he is 27. Our question is: If he buys the car, and we both intend to learn to drive in it, take lessons and sit our tests (we have a good friend of mine with full license who is willing to take us out for practice!) is it cheaper to insure me (female, 34) or him (male, 27) on the car? With the other as a named driver?

Hope that's clear enough. Thanks in advance.

ProudDUB

If he owns the car, then he has to be the one to take out the policy on it & then add you on as a named driver. You can not take out an insurance policy on a car that you don't own.

If he pays for it, but I own it... would that work out better? We're as good as hitched anyway. So If I get a car, and insure it as a 34 year old female learner, is it cheaper then to put him as the named driver? Or no difference? Thanks though, we hadn't thought of that!

ProudDUB

As you are older, your premium may be lower as you may be in lower risk bracket, but there are other factors at play too. The only way to know for sure, is to contact the insurance companies themselves and get actual quotes.

Go online & find a car that suits your needs and budget & that you would be likely to buy. Then ring the insurance companies to get quotes.

However, playing silly buggers with the ownership of the car to save money on the insurance, is called fronting. It is insurance fraud & it is illegal. Where learner drivers are involved, insurance companies are used to people being less than truthful about who actually owns the car and who will be its main user.

Because of this, they often just load the premium with the rates linked to the highest risk driver, regardless of whether he/she is the owner of the car, or is the named driver. So you won't really save anything by getting creative with the ownership of the car.

thebiglad

If they are in a long term cohabiting relationship where everything is shared then the ownership of the car between the 2 of them will not be an issue in the event of claim, either could prove 'insurable interest'

I am married and have my own car and the wife's in my name, not by choice but when we purchased her car the dealer put it in my name and we don't want to add registered keepers so not changing it - she does however insure it in her own name, as her vehicle.

Just watch the question of who is main user etc.

Subject to earlier conditions go for it, the insurer will rate on what they consider the highest risk driver anyhow so if you are not bringing a no claim bonus to the deal then you will get little benefit.

bpb101

If you can drive , it may be worth taking the test (in a rented car( rent as in specially for the test))