Inexperienced drivers are more than twice as likely to make a collision claim in their first year, according to new data from Aviva. New drivers recorded an 11% collision claim rate against 5% for those with more than a year’s experience.
The insurer is calling on the government to make telematics policies a legal requirement for drivers aged 17 to 24 in their first year on the road. Aviva also wants young driver telematics policies exempted from Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) to improve affordability.
Owen Morris, CEO of UK Personal Lines at Aviva, said the findings pointed to a clear need for action.
“The data shows there is an increased likelihood of accidents in the early stages of driving and telematics policies can help support new drivers in their highest-risk period,” he said.
Aviva’s call comes as road safety groups push for broader government reform. Drivers aged 17 to 24 hold just 6% of UK licences but were involved in 24% of fatal and serious collisions in 2024. A road safety charity report published in April found 35% of adults had personal experience of a collision involving a young driver.
The government’s own figures reinforce that picture. In 2024, one in seven car driver fatalities involved a young driver. Young male drivers aged 17 to 24 were four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured as drivers aged 25 or over.
In 2024, 4,740 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions involving a driver aged 17 to 24. That figure represents a fifth of all such incidents.
Aviva’s QuoteMeHappy Connect data shows one fifth of policyholders received a “red” driving score. In 70% of those cases, scores were linked to harsh acceleration, braking and cornering. More than half, at 52%, subsequently improved and did not receive another red rating.
New drivers on telematics policies recorded a near 50% reduction in collision claims. Those on standard policies saw a reduction of almost 30%.
Morris said telematics could act as a “virtual coach,” giving feedback on risky behaviours and incentivising safer driving.
A Censuswide survey of 2,202 motorists, commissioned by Aviva between 8 January and 19 January 2026, found 83% were aware of telematics policies. Almost three quarters, at 73%, said telematics should be mandatory for young drivers. Some 60% of 17 to 24-year-olds agreed.
The industry has not reached consensus on the mandatory approach. When the government published its road safety strategy in January 2026, analysts noted a 10x difference in claim frequency between the highest and lowest scoring telematics users.
One analyst suggested mandating telematics for newly qualified drivers within their first two years as a practical middle ground.
Any mandatory scheme would also face a structural barrier. Telematics provider IMS warned in January 2026 that more than half of UK motorists remain reluctant to share driving data over privacy concerns.
IMS data showed that 17 to 19-year-old fatalities and serious injuries fell 37% between 2018 and 2021. The period closely tracked rising telematics adoption among younger drivers.
“Making our roads safer for everyone and supporting young drivers must be a priority,” Morris said.
