Young motorists could see car insurance premiums reduced after innovative monitoring technology offers millions an easier way to travel on UK roads.

It comes after analysis revealed that insurers are abandoning conventional hard-wired tracking boxes in favour of instant-installation applications and devices, which could become a simpler solution.

The technological shift enables immediate tracking of driving patterns through windscreen-mounted sensors or plug-in gadgets, eliminating the need for professional installation appointments.

According to reports, the devices represent approximately 64 per cent of current telematics offerings, with traditional engineer-fitted boxes declining to just 21 per cent of products available.

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The new technology could pave the way for graduated driving licences in the UK

Modern telematics solutions now feature online interfaces where motorists can examine their driving performance and receive improvement recommendations.

Mike Powell, motor insurance specialist at Defaqto, explained: "Snap-on sensors mean young drivers no longer have to hand over their keys for a black box fitting, and that convenience often means insurers are also receiving data quicker about their driving style."

The majority of products, 83 per cent, provide digital dashboards for monitoring acceleration, velocity and nocturnal journeys.

However, the availability of automatic collision notifications and vehicle theft monitoring has decreased, with only 40 per cent of policies offering these features compared to 57 per cent and 52 per cent respectively five years ago.

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The telematics market has shrunk significantly, with provider numbers falling from 39 to 22 over the past five years, the specialist explained.

Telematics have been used primarily for younger drivers who have historically faced the most expensive insurance prices due to being new to the roads.

But while the black boxes have helped monitor driving behaviour, they still have not been 100 per cent successful in instigating safer driving.

Government data from 2023 revealed that 25 per cent of road deaths involving car drivers include at least one motorist under 25, with 1,417 young British drivers suffering fatal or serious injuries annually.

Overall, the Department for Transport data found that 4,959 individuals were killed or seriously injured during 2023 in crashes involving younger motorists.

These figures have prompted ongoing Governmental examination of graduated licensing systems, which would establish temporary restrictions for recently qualified drivers. The measures would be more restrictive than the telematics as they prohibit more than just driving at night.

Parliamentary support emerged in June 2024 when MP Kim Leadbeater introduced legislation proposing graduated licensing under the 10-minute rule, though the bill failed to advance before the General Election.

But despite this, the RAC Foundation and road safety advocates have continued pressing for inclusion of graduated licensing measures in the Government's forthcoming Road Safety Strategy.

GETTY | Young drivers can decrease premiums by installing a telematics box in their vehicles

Potential graduated licensing measures could encompass mandatory minimum training periods before practical test eligibility and restrictions on passenger numbers for newly qualified motorists.

Additional proposals include nighttime driving limitations, reduced alcohol tolerance levels, slower maximum speeds, and restrictions on operating high-powered vehicles.

But while the graduated scheme remains in the development stage, to help drivers reduce the cost of insurance, Powell recommended several strategies, including selecting vehicles with modest engines, robust safety ratings and reasonable repair costs.

"Technology is still the best way to bring down insurance costs for young drivers," he stated, warning against fraudulent practices where parents falsely claim primary driver status.