Young drivers can qualify for saving up to €250 a year on their insurance premiums by participating in a new road safety scheme that allows other road users to comment on their driving.
Parents with sons or daughters as named drivers on their policies can also qualify for savings on their entire insurance premium under the "How's my driving?" scheme.
To qualify for reduced premiums, drivers aged under-25 have to take a minimum of five professional lessons. In their first year, drivers are entitled to a 10 per cent discount on their premiums. Those who drive for 12 months without attracting any complaints are eligible for a 20 per cent saving or a two years no-claims bonus.
However, participation in the privately-operated scheme costs €20 in set-up fees and €5 a month.
Two insurers, Axa and Asgard, have agreed to participate in the scheme, while others are waiting to see how it operates.
How's My Driving Ltd has been providing a driver feedback system for commercial fleets since 2001. Under the scheme, participants display a "How's My Driving" licence-plate casing and window sticker inviting others to comment on their driving. If a road-user has concerns about a participating car, they are invited to ring a 24-hour call-centre on 1850 354535. These reports are forwarded to the driver within minutes and corrective action is taken at subsequent lessons.
Launching the scheme, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said he welcomed the structured approach proposed for driver education.
However, where road-users witnessed examples of dangerous driving the Minister advised them to contact the Garda Traffic Watch service on 1890 205805.
Compulsory driving instruction for learner drivers was likely to be introduced in the near future, he added.
For a 19-year-old male with a one-litre car, involvement in the scheme would cut his premium with Asgard from €2,456 to €2,210, a saving of almost €250.
The premium for the 19-year-old male driving a 1.8-litre car on a family policy with Axa would be reduced from €1,413 to €1,273. A female of the same age driving a one-litre car would see her premium drop from €1,288 to €1,159.