A recent study by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) has shown that employers would welcome a new driving at work qualification, in a bid to bring down the number of driving related work accidents thus bringing down the price of van insurance [http://www.onlyinsurance.com/Van-Insurance/] for many business owners in the UK. It is believed that the current system of learner training and testing does not adequately prepare young drivers to drive as a part of their job. If employers make all new drivers take a further test to ensure they are adequately trained to drive on the job then there is little doubt that savings could be made from the insurance policy.

Three quarters of the employers who took part in the questionnaire said that a lot of their young drivers are out in situations which are not covered by the standard driving test. Alongside that many young drivers will have never of driven a van and getting used to driving a large van can take time - meaning that a further driving qualification could prove to be extremely beneficial.

Duncan Vernon, RoSPA's road safety manager, said: "Our research found that there is a clear skills and training gap. Young workers are being required to drive vehicles, and in conditions and situations, in which they have limited, if any, prior experience.

"Many employers reported that they did not rely on the driving license as evidence of competence in driving for work and many conduct their own assessments before allowing their employees to drive for work purposes. It is not surprising; therefore, that so many said they would find a post-test driving for work qualification useful."

This will have a positive effect on many tradesmen who have vans and thus have to insure said van. Many tradesmen will take on young apprentices and whilst adding a 17 or 18 year old new driver to the policy is undoubtedly going to increase the premiums, if there is an official test similar to the pass plus scheme insurance companies will lower premiums to some extent.

The report carried out by ROSPA suggests a modular post driving test scheme for work qualification, it is hoped that this should safely increase young drivers experience both in general driving but also in situations deemed necessary by the employer. Alongside the qualification ROSPA are also developing a free young driver's workshop to address some of the issues raised by employers and young drivers.

RoSPA is also working on the Young Drivers at Work project in partnership with the Department for Transport, Driving Standards Agency, Driving for Better Business, Birmingham City Council, Buckinghamshire County Council and Lancashire County Council.

These further tests will go a long way towards teaching younger drivers to deal with situations that they may have to deal with whilst driving for work. The fact that many young drivers may have never even driven a van will have many insurers worried, meaning that any qualification that shows practice and experience with driving a van will go a long way to putting the insurance providers mind at rest.