Reversing through a slalom of cones, a theory test, a driving test delivered with running commentary, a dusk-to-dawn driving curfew - the lengths some will go to cut their insurance premiums.
As we all know, there are young drivers of all ages with whom taking a lift requires one to permanently adopt the brace position. However, Hibernian Insurance hopes to change this.
For the last few years, young motorists who hold a full licence for up to five years and who plan to drive a car of 1600 cc or less can apply for its one-day Ignition training programme and end-of-day test. Hibernian says that passing the test secures a 20 to 40 per cent discount based on skill on its insurance premiums for each of three years. The 10 best drivers are invited to take part in its "Driver of the Year" competition for a year's free insurance and a new car.
"Hibernian's training course, delivered by the Institute of Advanced Motoring, is not at all like doing the basic driving test," according to Trevor Lowry of Hibernian. "The focus is slightly different. It's more about hazard management and driver attitude."
The day's training consists of a morning looking at video footage of a severe accident followed by extensive discussion on accidents, hazard awareness and recognition, general driving and, more recently, road rage.
The course participants then have three driving sessions with an Institute of Advance Motoring instructor. Participants complete a 10-minute general drive. The instructor takes the wheel for a running commentary demo pointing out any areas that could be improved on. The "learner" takes over again implementing what he has learned and the assessment and insurance premium discount is based on performance during this last drive.
Ignition course applicants book a place for a refundable fee of €225. The 10 best performers in the Ignition course are invited to take part in Hibernian's Driver of the Year competition judged by the Institute of Advance Motoring. Last week seven men and three women in their mid-twenties competed for the first prize of a limited edition new Ford Fiesta Steel and a year's free insurance.
The competition included a 30-minute theory test on the contents of the Advanced Driving Handbook, supplied on the Ignition training, a manoeuvre exercise and a 45-minute drive around Dublin giving a running commentary on the hazards they are observing and passing. And the lucky winner - 24-year-old Gary Hasset from Cork: "My main reason for doing the training was the premium offered. I got my provisional when I was 20 and got my full licence over two years ago. On my first year with the full licence I had third-party insurance with Quinn direct for €3,000. After completing Hibernian's Ignition course, they gave me fully comprehensive for €1,250," says Hassett.
The manoeuvre exercise included reversing back and driving forward through a slalom of cones, parallel parking, driving into and reversing into a parking space accurately.
Since the launch of Ignition in 1999, Hibernian has put 23,500 drivers through its programme at a cost of €6.5 million. Ignition discounts are in addition to the 10 per cent curfew discount for those who opt not to drive between 12 a.m.and 6 a.m., the no-claims bonus and no penalty points discounts and the 30 per cent discount for drivers holding the Advanced Drivers Test of the Institute of Advanced Motoring. This institute charges €80 for its test or €275 for two half-days instruction and the test.
With speculation of other international players coming into the market for car insurance here, it looks like more insurers will have to come up with novel ways of cutting their premiums while monitoring the risk.