On March 3rd 2011 the European Court of Justice ruled that women should not benefit from cheaper car insurance than men. The court believes that to make distinctions between sexes is discriminatory and as a result motor insurance for young women could rise by up to 60%.

The change will come into effect on the 21st of December 2012. With the date looming youth news is going to analyse the facts and try to establish what the ruling will mean for young drivers and find some solutions to rising insurance premiums.

Based on best estimates;

Insurance premiums for young women will rise by up to 60%.

Insurance premiums for young men will fall by up to 10%

The change will increase the net monetary intake for insurers if demand for policies stays at its current levels.

The solutions if you still want to buy cheap young drivers insurance after the ruling? Limited. Putting yourself on your parents' insurance makes little difference to premium prices and if you are the main driver is illegal. Downsizing engine capacity is a good idea, but still won't make your insurance prices cheap.

There is, however, one solution an increasing number of young drivers are opting for in order to keep insurance prices down and that is driving old and classic cars. Older cars are generally cheaper to insure, a VW beetle being a popular choice with polices available at around £1300 for an 18 year old. Even cheaper are policies on Citroen 2cv's or Morris minors which can be found for around £700.

Whilst a classic might not be the most Practical choice they will bring with them a large reduction in insurance premiums for young men and women. Which will be appealing after December 21st when average insurance premiums for 18 year old will be around £4000 for a normal car.