Rather than tracking their young drivers by satellite, Hibernian has opted to test them and trust them with its new Ignition Club scheme. In collaboration with the British-based Institute of Advanced Motorists, Hibernian is going to run one-day driving courses for interested policyholders.

The pilot scheme, which will involve 1,000 drivers from October to the end of the year, is targeted at young and inexperienced drivers but is open to others.

Drivers who successfully complete the course will qualify for a 20 per cent reduction in their motoring premium.

The second element of the scheme is aimed at the same group. If they agree to restrict their hours of driving, and refrain from driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day, they will benefit from a further 10 per cent reduction in their premium. One-third of all road accidents happen between these hours.

If motorists who sign up to the Hibernian scheme have an accident during those hours, they will have broken the terms of the insurance contract and the insurer will pursue them rigorously for the cost of third-party claims.

There is no cost to drivers participating in the Ignition Club. The pilot scheme is open to Hibernian clients of two years standing, their sons or daughters, or named drivers. Participants have to be accident free for two years, hold a full licence and own their own car.

The courses will be held in Dublin, Cork and Galway, and will incorporate classroom study, videos, and road tests and demonstrations.