Young driver car insurance in Ireland
If you’re under 25 or a new driver, you’ll know that cheap car insurance is hard to find. Here’s why young drivers pay so much and some tips on how to drive insurance costs down.
What’s classed as a young driver?
Insurers generally consider you to be a young driver if you’re aged between 17 and 24 years old, although age limits can vary.
A first-time driver can be any age. The cost of car insurance is usually much higher when you’re under 25 or have little driving experience, but it should become easier to find cheaper cover as you build up a safe driving record.
How much is car insurance for a young driver?
Drivers aged 17–19 paid €2,212 on average, while drivers aged 20–29 paid €1,091, according to Chill’s July 2026 pricing index.
Experience makes a difference too. Drivers with less than one year’s experience paid €1,421 on average, compared with €899 for those driving for three to five years.
The figures are based on Irish new business and renewal policies sold between June 2025 and May 2026, including fees. The price you pay will also depend on your car, address, driving history and insurer.
Why is young driver insurance so high?
The price of your cover depends on all sorts of things, but two important factors are age and experience.
For insurers, it’s all about weighing up risk and the younger and more inexperienced you are, the more likely you’ll make a claim.
Insurance companies base their pricing on historical data and probability. You may be a safe and security-conscious driver, but accident statistics show young drivers are riskier overall and more likely to make a claim.
Unfortunately, insurers must offset this extra cost, so they charge drivers under 25 years old more. However, once you’re over 25 years old, finding cheap quotes is easier as you gain experience and can prove you’re a safe driver.
Are young drivers really riskier?
Yes, the evidence suggests they are. Road Safety Authority figures show that people aged 25 or younger accounted for 35% of all road deaths in Ireland in 2024.
An RSA review also found that 53% of road deaths among people under 26 between 2019 and 2024 occurred between 8pm and 4am, when there is less traffic on the road.
Some factors that can put young and inexperienced drivers at greater risk include:
New to car insurance? Read our complete guide to car insurance for everything you need to know about covering your vehicle.
What about experienced drivers under 25?
Young drivers and older motorists new to driving are both stung by high insurance costs.
However, it’s the under 25s who are hit the most with higher premiums due to the risk profile of the age group rather than an individual’s driving skill. So, even if you passed your test at 17 years and have been driving for several years, you’ll likely pay a higher premium.
No matter how safe and confident you feel on the road, the cost of car insurance for young drivers is high, which can seem unfair.
The good news is that there are ways to reduce costs and save money on your insurance, even when you’re young.
At what age does car insurance get cheaper?
There’s no exact age when car insurance suddenly gets cheaper, but you may start to see your premiums fall as you move through your 20s.
Chill’s July 2026 pricing index found that drivers aged 20–29 paid €1,091 on average, compared with €689 for those aged 30–39.
If you haven’t claimed on your policy, you’ll also start to build a no-claims bonus, giving you a discount for each claim-free year.
However, the price depends on other factors too, so a reduction isn’t automatic. For example, buying a more powerful car could push your premium back up.
What do first-time drivers need to get insured?
You’ll need a valid learner permit or full driving licence, along with some details about you, your car and driving history.
Before getting a quote, have the following ready:
- Your driver number from section 4(d) of your learner permit or licence
- The driver number of anyone being added to the policy
- Your licence type and how long you’ve held it
- Your address, occupation and estimated annual mileage
- Your car’s registration, make, model, engine size and value
- Details of previous claims, convictions or penalty points
- Proof of any no-claims bonus or named-driving experience
Since 31 March 2025, you must provide your driver number and the numbers of any named drivers before an insurer can issue your policy. Find out more from the Central Bank of Ireland.
What is black box insurance?
It’s cover which uses a telematics device to monitor your driving habits. Young drivers can sometimes qualify for cheaper insurance if a black box is installed in their car.
Telematics uses GPS technology to monitor:
- Journey data - travel time and distance, plus the number of trips
- Driving data - speed, acceleration, braking and impact detection
- Road data - location, elevation, road type
Will an Advanced Driving Course reduce the cost?
An advanced driving course is designed to help develop the skills and experience of new drivers, reduce the risks of being in an accident and increase road safety.
Courses vary in length and certification, so check your course is valid and will attract a discount from insurers before enrolling, while weighing up any savings against the overall cost.
Tips for getting cheaper young driver car insurance
Some insurers are better than others at catering for younger drivers, so it pays to shop around and compare quotes.
Here are some more tips to drive costs down:
What is fronting?
It’s when a driver puts someone else, like a parent, on an insurance policy as the main driver - and themselves as the ‘named driver’.
People may do this to make their insurance cheaper, but here are three good reasons you must not do it.
- It’s illegal and fraudulent
- Your policy would be invalid should you need to claim
- You won’t earn any no-claim bonus
Which cars can be cheaper to insure for young drivers?
Smaller cars with modest engines, good security and lower repair costs can be cheaper to insure.
Models worth getting quotes for include:
- Ford Fiesta
- Hyundai i10
- Škoda Citigo
- Škoda Fabia
- Toyota Aygo
- Volkswagen Up!
The exact model, engine, age and trim can make a big difference. Check the likely car insurance group and get quotes before buying, as a sportier version of the same car could cost much more to insure.
Can young drivers get a no-claims bonus?
Yes. You can usually earn one year’s no-claims bonus after holding a policy in your own name for a full year without making a claim.
The longer you remain claim-free, the bigger your discount could become. Your age does not stop you from earning a no-claims bonus, although the discount available will depend on the insurer.
Named drivers do not build a no-claims bonus because the policy is not in their name. However, some insurers may offer a separate named-driving experience discount when you eventually take out your own cover.
You may need a letter from the previous insurer confirming how long you were a named driver and whether any claims were made.
How to compare young-driver insurance
Young-driver quotes can vary widely, so compare each one on the same basis rather than choosing on price alone.
Check:
Switcher’s quote link takes you to The AA’s secure website, where you can compare quotes from its panel of insurers and arrange your cover directly. It isn’t a whole-of-market comparison, so you may also want to check other young-driver policies.
Learn about types of car insurance
Find out what comprehensive & third party insurance means and how to choose the right cover.
Learn how your car quote is calculated
Find out about the factors that affect the price of your car insurance like car insurance groups, your age and ‘class of use’.
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