A blue ‘T-plate’ is being launched for young drivers with a telematics ‘black box’ fitted in their car. The plate can help reduce motor insurance costs as well as relieve some of the stress for new drivers.
In the form of a sticker, it’s put on both the front and rear of a car – similar to the learner L-plate displayed before a motorist passes their driving test. But unlike the L-plate, the T-plate is voluntary, as is the ‘probationary’ green P-plate that some use after recently passing a test.
The T-plate is being introduced by Co-op Insurance with the support of the road safety charity Brake and the national driving school Red. If successful, it could be adopted by other insurers next year.
New idea: Unlike the L-plate, the T-plate is voluntary, as is the ‘probationary’ green P-plate that some use after recently passing a test
Charles Offord, managing director of Co-op Insurance, says the initiative is designed to help new drivers feel less intimidated on the road. He adds: ‘We would like the T-plate to become universal so that all motorists understand that it identifies the driver ahead of them as being new to the road and has a black box in their car that’s monitoring their every move.’ Aberdeen-based Callum Smith is among the first young drivers to display the T-plate. Aged 22, he was paying £1,200 a year for insurance. But after agreeing to have a telematics black box installed in his secondhand Renault Clio and to use Tplates, his annual premium dropped to £600. Some £100 of the £600 saved related to his agreement to display T-plates.
The black box, which usually fits under a dashboard, uses GPS and motion sensors to detect speed, any sharp acceleration or braking, distance travelled and any night time motoring.
Callum, a student at the University of Aberdeen, says: ‘Having a ‘Big Brother’ device monitoring how I drive is not ideal, but is worthwhile for the huge insurance savings I have made.
‘Though I’m not convinced many people understand what the T-plate means, it certainly does no harm. It makes me feel more comfortable driving slowly if others start revving their engines behind me or getting really close when they want me to go faster than the speed limit.’
The plate’s introduction is a result of research showing that half of drivers with a telematics box feel they are bullied by other motorists into driving faster. Those using a black box tend to stick closely to the speed limit and so are often subject to aggressive behaviour and rude gestures. It is hoped that over time the T-plate will help other drivers to be more understanding towards young motorists who have a telematics box fitted.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (now called IAM RoadSmart) says the T-plate initiative is welcome if it makes new drivers more comfortable. But, sadly, it does not believe it will change the behaviour of other motorists on the road, especially in the short term.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research, says: ‘The most dangerous time for motorists who have just passed their driving test is the first six months – or 1,000 miles – as they are inexperienced.
‘If having a T-plate makes a driver less nervous, then it is a good thing, though it would be wrong to make them obligatory.
‘Sadly, I fear that bad drivers will not be any more considerate just because the driver ahead of them is displaying a T-plate.’
The Co-op is not the only insurer offering discounts for fitting a telematics box. Others include Insure The Box, Direct Line, Hastings Direct and Admiral.
The majority of providers include the cost of a box as part of cover – though some may charge £100 to have it installed. The Co-op does not charge for the black box but there is a £90 fee if you later want it removed.
In Wales, novice drivers can also use a red ‘D-plate’ – the D stands for ‘dysgwr’ or ‘learner’ in Welsh.
In Northern Ireland new drivers must display an amber ‘R-plate’ (restricted) for a year after passing their test. During this period, they should not drive above 45mph. x
