Learner driver insurance on a parent's car
All drivers need to be covered by a valid insurance policy before they can go out on the road - including drivers with a provisional licence.
So, if you want to get extra driving practice between lessons in a parent, family member, or friend’s car, you’ll either need to be added to their insurance policy as named driver or take out a learner driver insurance policy that covers you to drive it.
Adding a named driver to an insurance policy can be expensive, inflexible, and some insurers may not even cover learner drivers. The vehicle owner’s no claims bonus could also be affected if the additional driver is involved in an accident.
Temporary learner driver insurance
Temporary learner driver insurance covers you to drive someone else’s car, but runs separately to the car owner’s insurance policy.
So, if there’s an accident while you’re driving, any damage is claimed through the learner driver policy and won’t affect their no claims bonus. Now there's an incentive for your family and friends to hand over the car keys!
Short-term learner driver insurance on your own car
If you already own your first car, insuring it with a short-term policy until you pass your test is another great way to gain experience between driving lessons, without taking out an annual policy.
Compare learner driver insurance
The best learner driver insurance for you will depend on whose car you’re driving, how much flexibility you want, and how much extra driving practice you plan on having before you take your test.
Learner insurance on someone else's car
Practice in a family member or friend's car
- Temporary cover from 1 hour to 6 months
- No risk to car owner’s no claims bonus
Learner Insurance
Learner insurance on your own car
Short-term insurance to practice in your own car
- Cover until you pass your driving test
- Pay-as-you-go rolling monthly subscription
Learner Insurance
Annual learner driver insurance
Cover your car for a year on a provisional licence
- Earn your own no claims bonus
- Switch to a full driving licence during the policy
Learner Insurance
Useful information for learner drivers
There's a lot of new information to take in when you're learning to drive, so we’ve put together some useful information to make the insurance part easier.
Can you drive your parents' car on a provisional licence?
Yes, if you are properly insured and comply with other legal requirements for learner drivers, such as being properly supervised by a more experienced driver, and displaying L plates.
Learner drivers can either be a named driver on their parents' policy, or they can take out temporary insurance in their own name until they pass their test.
With short-term policy for learner drivers you'll be able to drive a parent or friend's car with no risk to their no claims bonus if you have a bump while you're practicing your driving skills.
How much does learner driver insurance cost?
That will depend on several factors, such as your age, the type of car you drive, where you live, and how long you want the policy to last.
Do learner drivers have to be insured?
Yes, one way or another, whether that's through your driving instructor's own insurance, your parents' if you practice in their car, or a policy of your own. It's the law.
Do you need your own insurance if you're learning to drive with an instructor?
If you've signed up for a course of driving lessons with an approved instructor and will only be driving their car, your driving instructor is responsible for insuring the car and his student drivers.
Learner driver insurance and private land
It's a misconception that if you drive on private land with a provisional licence, you don't need insurance. This is only true if you have a right to use private land to which the general public does not have access (e.g. via a footpath or bridleway).
If the private land is not totally exclusive to your own use, you must be insured and be supervised, just like any other provisional licence holder.
What happens to my insurance after I pass my driving test?
As soon as you pass your driving test, you’ll no longer be covered by a learner driver policy.
To insure your own car, you’ll need to take out a new driver insurance policy in your own name, on a full driving licence.
Alternatively, there are also a range of temporary or pay per mile options that will cover you to drive your own car or someone else’s.
If you don't own a car yet and you want to drive a parent, family member, or friend’s, you'll need to ensure that you're added as a named driver to their insurance, using your updated licence details.
But beware of "fronting" - being a named driver on someone else's policy when you're actually the main driver - you could invalidate their cover.
New and young driver options
There are a range of insurance options for new drivers, offering cover for different budgets and needs:
Young driver insurance
Policies without a black box
Standard insurance policies designed for young drivers between 17-24 years old.
Suitable for young drivers who prefer not to have their driving monitored or already have some driving experience.
Young Driver Insurance
Black box insurance
Telematics policies
Policies that use a small device in your car, or an app on your phone, to monitor driving behaviour.
Insurers base their renewal premiums on driving performance, rather than just age and experience.
Black Box Insurance
Temporary insurance
Flexible short-term policies
Cover for drivers on their own car or someone else’s.
Cost-effective if annual cover is too expensive, you don’t drive very often, or you want to use someone else’s car without risking their no claims bonus.
Temporary Insurance
Related information for learner drivers
There’s a lot to take in when you’re learning to drive, so we’ve put together some useful information for you.
Rules for Supervising Learner Drivers: What are your legal obligations when you supervise a someone who hasn't yet passed their driving test - in their own car or in yours?
Learner Driver Rules: What are the rules about driving, being supervised, your car and the driving test? Read this handy guide.
Naming Young Drivers on their Parents' Insurance Policy
Pass Plus Driver Training: What is the Pass Plus training course?