THE majority of young drivers in the West Midlands are unhappy with the black box scheme, a new survey has revealed.

The research, which surveyed 1,000 young drivers in the UK aged between 17 and 24-years-old, on their perception towards car insurance, found that 65 per cent of young drivers feel unhappy in having to rely on schemes like Black Box to reduce insurance costs, particularly as many schemes come with restrictions such as driving curfews.

Despite negative opinion on the scheme, 30 per cent of young drivers in the region still chose to insure their vehicle with a black box, according to the survey carried out by insurance comparison website Quote Goat.

When questioned on other cost saving methods such as their use of dashcams, only 13 per cent of respondents have installed an insurer approved dashcam in their vehicle, with 57 per cent completely unaware that this could in fact lower their insurance premium even further.

Over a third of young drivers nationally pay up to £1,000 per year for their insurance, with a quarter paying up to £2,000. The maximum, between £2,000 and £4,000, was found to be paid by eight per cent.

Chris Stone from Malvern, said he deemed it unfair that young drivers have to rely on schemes like black box. The 21-year-old passed his driving test in January 2018, but was shocked to discover his annual insurance premium would be £1,700.

Mr Stone was able to reduce this fee to £970, but is forced to pay monthly as he was unable to commit to the one-off fee in full.

“I’m in no way surprised to hear that over half feel it’s unfair," he said.

"If it didn’t reduce my costs I would have not have signed up to it, as conditions such as the time of day or night I am allowed to drive are extremely restrictive.”

Founder and managing director of Quote Goat, Michael Foote, added: “The majority have compromised with the schemes restrictions, to receive a more affordable insurance cost."