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For those who’ve lately acquired your driver’s license—otherwise you’re on the brink of—you may be questioning what it means to be thought of a “new driver” for insurance coverage. Learn the way lengthy drivers are sometimes thought of new, the way it impacts your insurance coverage prices, and extra.

Key takeaways

• New drivers embrace teenagers and adults getting their first license, in addition to drivers with overseas licenses. They’re sometimes thought of new for as much as three years by many insurers.
• Insurance coverage premiums are sometimes larger for brand new drivers as a result of restricted driving historical past and youthful age enhance perceived danger.
• New drivers could possibly decrease insurance coverage prices by driving safely, selecting modest automobiles, becoming a member of household insurance policies, and benefiting from reductions like good grades or defensive driving programs.

On this article

• What does “new driver” imply in insurance coverage phrases?
• Why new drivers pay larger premiums
• Which issues extra to insurance coverage firms: Age or driving expertise?
• Suggestions for reducing insurance coverage prices as a brand new driver
• Selecting automobile insurance coverage as a brand new driver

What does “new driver” imply in insurance coverage phrases?

Usually, a brand new driver is somebody who has simply acquired their very first driver’s license. That features: 

• Youngsters: For those who’re a teen who lately obtained a driver’s license, you’re thought of a brand new driver. 

Why do new drivers pay larger premiums?

Automobile insurance coverage is commonly costlier for brand new drivers. That’s as a result of youthful or much less skilled drivers might have a better danger of accidents. Additionally they don’t have a longtime driving historical past, which makes it tougher for insurers to evaluate their particular person danger.

In line with MarketWatch, a first-year new driver can count on to spend a median of $487 a month for full protection automobile insurance coverage. Right here’s a year-by-year common insurance coverage price breakdown for brand new drivers: 

*Displays information from July 2025

Your insurance coverage premium can range based mostly on many elements, like your location, accident historical past, and automobile mannequin. Get a automobile insurance coverage quote from The Basic® immediately to see how a lot you’ll pay every month as a brand new driver.

 Which issues extra to insurance coverage firms: Age or driving expertise?

Age issues extra for automobile insurance coverage firms. Right here’s why: 

• Threat evaluation: Automobile insurance coverage firms use age as a robust predictor of danger. Accident statistics from the Nationwide Security Council present that youthful drivers—particularly these underneath 25—are concerned in crashes at larger charges than older drivers.

 Suggestions for reducing insurance coverage prices as a brand new driver

For those who’re a brand new driver, there are steps you may take which will assist decrease your automobile insurance coverage prices: 

• Drive safely: Following secure driving practices like avoiding distracted driving, obeying site visitors legal guidelines, and never driving in extreme climate will help you construct a clear driving file, which might decrease insurance coverage prices over time. 
• Keep on a father or mother’s coverage: For those who’re a youthful driver, becoming a member of an current household coverage is commonly extra inexpensive than buying a separate coverage. 
• Think about a secure, modest automobile: Luxurious vehicles or sports activities vehicles sometimes have larger premiums. Selecting a automobile with excessive security scores and decrease restore prices might assist cut back your insurance coverage prices.
• Get good grades: In some states, youngsters could possibly get discounted insurance coverage charges by sustaining a 3.0 GPA or larger. 
• Take a defensive driving course: For cheaper automobile insurance coverage, you may full a defensive driving course, however this low cost isn’t accessible in all states.  

Selecting automobile insurance coverage as a brand new driver

For those who’re a brand new driver, it’s necessary to decide on a automobile insurance coverage firm you may belief. The Basic affords automobile insurance coverage for brand new and seasoned drivers. Clients select The Basic as a result of we:

• Supply inexpensive choices 
• Make the claims course of easy and simple
• Earn optimistic scores on Trustpilot, with 4.7 out of 5 stars and over 100,000 critiques 

The Basic® model merchandise are underwritten by a member of the Sentry Insurance coverage Group. Sentry has an AM Greatest Monetary Power Score (FSR) of A+ (superior), present as of June 2025. See ambest.com/scores/information.pdf for score data.

Get a quote immediately to see how a lot new drivers can save on automobile insurance coverage with The Basic.