Contributed post
With the current cost of living crisis limiting spending, many of us are looking for ways to scale back our outgoings. Between fuel or charging costs, annual services and insurance, vehicles are one of the most costly parts of our lifestyle, but relying solely on public transport is not always a possibility and can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
Car sharing with your family is a great compromise and is a viable option for most of us thanks to the rise in remote and hybrid jobs. You’ll significantly reduce your annual expenditure while ensuring you can still get around with ease. However, before you take the plunge, read this guide to ensure the process is smooth sailing from the start.
Clarify the terms of use
Begin by establishing the ground rules for using the car. This will help to avoid conflict and, if you’re sharing with young adults, ensure you’re acting in line with UK driving law.
Agree on certain days and times for each person having the car, creating a rota which outlines this in writing and can be easily adjusted to suit changing schedules. If two people need the car on the same day, add expected return times to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to someone being left stranded at home.
Practising in a parent’s car is a great way to support driving lessons and get experience on the road, and contributes to a higher chance of passing the first time. If you’re car sharing for this purpose, remind your children that with a provisional licence, you cannot drive on UK roads unless accompanied by someone aged over 21 who has held a full UK driving licence for at least three years.
Upgrade your insurance
Once you’ve established how the car will be used by everyone in the household, upgrade your insurance to ensure proper protection no matter who is driving. Remember that it’s illegal for anyone in the UK to drive without at least third-party coverage, so you must organise your insurance before hitting the road.
Some policies cover other drivers as standard, but not all cover non-named drivers. Most include a ‘driving other cars’ clause, but this is typically restricted to third-party coverage and newly qualified drivers may not be eligible. If you’re sharing the car equally, list everyone as a named driver on the same insurance policy. It’s best to opt for comprehensive cover and have the policy in the name of the person who officially owns the car for better financial protection.
For family members who will only need the car occasionally, consider arranging one-day insurance on a case-by-case basis. This is more cost-effective than adding them to your insurance policy and won’t impact any discount you get from a no-claims bonus.
Check your vehicle
Finally, protect against dangerous situations on the road by checking your vehicle for issues. Assess your brakes, lights and tyres, replacing anything worn or broken that could impact safety. Inflate your tyres to the correct level, allowing additional air for long journeys and heavy loads. Fill up essential fluids such as screenwash, coolant and oil, using the dipstick to get the right level.
If in doubt, take it in for a full service with a professional mechanic and get an up-to-date MOT certificate at the same time. All vehicles older than three years must pass an MOT test once a year to be legally roadworthy.
Leave a Reply