Whether youre just starting out or have recently passed your test, follow these simple yet highly effective steps to slashing your car insurance costs.

With motoring costs rising by the month, saving as much money as possible is the number one goal when it comes to car insurance for learners and newly qualified drivers.

Recent surveys have shown that the vast majority of motorists searching for car insurance online want the cheapest rate. Other areas of insurance, like the standards of service and superior levels of cover, almost fall into insignificance according to the statistics.

Over recent years car insurance comparison sites have made the process of searching out lower premiums much easier. Theres no doubt that being able to compare hundreds of policies by submitting your details to a handful of sites will save time and money.

However, young drivers and learners still face eye-watering rates when it comes to covering themselves to drive legally on the roads. So before submitting your details, follow this short but helpful list to lower your costs:

1. Use a vehicle in a low car insurance group to obtain lower quotes

One of the most important aspects that come into consideration when insuring any car is the group that it is given by the insurers. In a nutshell the lower the car insurance group the better. This is because a group 1 car will be thousands of pounds cheaper to insure than a group 20 car.

A typical low insurance group car would be a small super-mini type vehicle with a small engine capacity. A small unmodified car with a 1.0 litre petrol or diesel engine would therefore usually fall into a lower group banding, typically being classed as a 1 to 5 rating.

Recent changes mean that the long-standing system of car insurance groups have consisted of a one to twenty rating, this has now moved to a one to fifty system.

2. Improve on your 'Road Miles' and insurers will reward you

There is no doubt that the more driving experience you have under your belt the better. Figures produced by the authorities show that first time passes to the practical driving test come from individuals with up to 60 hours hand on experience.

The reason that insurers have to inflict weighty premiums on inexperienced drivers, particularly learners, is because of the frightening accident statistics. One of the large motor insurers reported a 300 per cent increase in claims from drivers under the age of 23 in the past five years.

In contrast, claims from drivers over 23 fell by 10 per cent.

3. Use Car Insurance Comparison Sites to drive down costs

Comparison sites are the quickest and most effective way to receive literally hundreds of quotes from just a few sources. Preparation is easy as all you need to provide are a few personal facts and the details of the car you want to insure.

There are however more and more comparison sites popping up all over the Net and you should know that some of comparison sites will suit learners and young drivers better than other.

Some insurance companies wont even produce a quote for someone with a provisional license wanting to insure their own vehicle. This is where specialist providers are more effective than some of the larger site that only want to insure the masses.

A little research will save you time and money in the long run so never take your first few quotes as being the only options.

In summary, by considering the car insurance groups and improving on your driving in general, you will be in a better position to cut your car insurance costs, particularly when you are a learner driver.