Young Irish motorists are being offered a 30% reduction in their sky-high insurance premiums - but one of the conditions is that they accept a driving curfew.
The scheme has been introduced by the Hibernian Group, the largest insurer in the Irish Republic, at a time when the cost of cover for under-25 drivers is in some cases higher than the cost of their cars.
While insurers say this reflects the high accident rate involving young motorists, one 22-year-old is taking action against his insurer under Irish equality legislation, alleging discrimination on grounds of age.
Despite a clean driving record, he is being asked to pay a premium of over £4,000.
Under the new scheme, which is being operated in association with the UK-based Institute of Advanced Motorists, drivers who successfully complete a free one-day intensive training course, involving driving hazards and behaviour, will earn a 20% cut on their premiums. They will qualify for an additional reduction of 10% by staying off the roads from 11pm to 6am, described by Hibernian's managing director, Gary Owens, as "the killing hours".
Those who break the curfew and are involved in accidents will be expelled from the scheme and face full premiums on renewal.
One thousand drivers under 25 will be trained between October and December, with a further 4,000 from January.
Initially, the scheme will focus on Hibernian clients of three years' standing, their children or named drivers on a company policy.
According to the company, the savings can be significant. A male driver aged 23 and living in Dublin, who took the full 30% offer - the training course and curfew - would have his current premium of £2,673 cut to £1,871.
A 21-year-old female driver, also in Dublin, would pay £1,311 instead of £1,873.
The scheme was welcomed by Irish Environment Minister Noel Dempsey and the National Safety Council, who said it would help reduce the country's high road toll.
