Learner driver insurance

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What is learner driver insurance?

If you want to get out on the road and practise around your regular lessons with a driving instructor, you’ll need to have learner driver insurance in place (also known as provisional driver insurance).

You can take out a policy to cover you while you’re driving your own car or somebody else’s, usually your parents’ or a close family member.

Choose between an annual or short-term policy, depending on your circumstances.

Do learner drivers need car insurance?

Yes, if you’re planning to practise in your own car or somebody else’s (apart from your driving instructor’s), you’ll need to be insured. It’s a legal requirement.

Car insurance for learner drivers

How does it work?

Getting that all important practice in between lessons is vital if you want to pass your test sooner rather than later, but you’ll need to be insured before you can get behind the wheel.

You can either take out dedicated learner driver insurance or you can become a named driver on the car owner’s policy.

Learner driver insurance sits alongside the car owner’s existing policy, so if you needed to make a claim, it wouldn’t affect the owner’s no-claims discount (NCD).

However, if you decide to be added to the owner’s existing car insurance policy and have to make a claim, they’ll lose their NCD.

Alternatively, if you have your own car, you can take out provisional driver insurance and add a family member or spouse as a named driver. This will enable you to build up your own NCD.

If you’re only driving during lessons with an approved instructor in a vehicle they own, they’ll usually sort out the insurance which is then included in the price of your driving lessons.

£4 million refunded to customers with free excess cover^^

If you need to claim, we’ll pay £250 towards your excess^. Just another reason to make your life choices on Go.Compare.

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^Up to £250 refunded after claim settled. Car insurance purchases only. Excludes breakdown, windscreen and glass repair/replacement. Full T&Cs apply.

^^Based on Go.Compare analysis of successful claims, August 2019 - June 2022.

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Types of car insurance:

There are three different levels of car insurance available. It’s important to note that a comprehensive policy won’t necessarily be more expensive than the lower levels of cover, so always compare options:

  • Third party only – The minimum level of cover permitted in the UK, it will only cover the cost of any damage you cause to other people and their property
  • Third party, fire, and theft – Provides the same cover as above, but also includes if your car gets stolen or damaged by fire, too
  • Comprehensive – The highest level of cover available, you’ll also be insured if your car is damaged and requires repairs, or is written off and needs to be replaced

How long does it take to learn to drive?

It takes 45 hours of driving lessons and 22 hours of private practise to pass your driving test on average, according to the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.

What does learner driver insurance cover?

What’s covered?

You could be insured for:

  • Legal liability if you injure someone or damage their property
  • Medical expenses if you or one of your passengers is injured in the vehicle
  • Theft or fire damage to the vehicle
  • Repairs or replacement if car is written off
  • Taking your driving test in the car

What’s not covered?

Look out for the following exclusions:

  • There may be restrictions on when you can drive and the number of miles you can cover
  • Driving without a qualified driver – typically they’ll need to be over 21 years old and will have to have held a driving licence for at least three years
  • Driving after you’ve passed your test, even if it’s just home from the test centre. You’ll have to make other arrangements

Who is it suitable for?

Learner driver insurance is suitable for anyone who wants to practise in between their driving lessons in their own car or in one that belongs to a friend or family member.

How much does it cost?

This will depend on a few different things, including your age, the level of cover you need, how long you’re taking it out for, and the details of the car you’re planning to drive.

What details do I need to get a quote?

Before you’re able to get a quote, you’ll need to have the following information to hand:

  • Personal information – your name, address, and date of birth
  • Provisional licence number
  • Vehicle information including type and age
  • Details of the vehicle’s registered keeper

How can I get it cheaper?

Before picking a policy, try:

Comparing policies – Shop around to make sure you’re getting the cover you need at a low price. Compare annual policies against short-term options to figure out the right option for you and your bank balance

Additional drivers – Adding a named experienced driver to your policy if you have your own car can lower your premiums. However, it’s important you’re truthful about who will be driving the car most. Failure to do so is considered a type of fraud called fronting

Adjust your excess – By increasing your voluntary excess, you can save on your premiums. But remember that it should still be affordable because if you have to make a claim, you’ll be required to pay the amount you’ve chosen

Policy restrictions – Some policies will be cheaper if you agree to adhere to certain rules, like only driving during certain hours or keeping below a mileage limit

Black box insurance

Black box insurance (also known as telematics insurance) can be a great option for younger drivers and can help lower the cost of your insurance.

Your driving is recorded by a black box fitted to your car and analysed by the insurer, so driving safely may result in lower premiums.

Why are learner drivers more at risk?

It’s just a matter of inexperience behind the wheel, which makes it harder to spot potential hazards and make quick and safe decisions.

This means that learner drivers are seen as riskier to insurers.

Frequently asked questions

  • It will depend on the policy and provider you choose. Learner driver insurance can be short-term, for instance, a few months, weeks or even days. Alternatively, you could choose an annual policy.

  • Yes, it’s possible to add more than one learner driver to an existing car insurance policy, but you’ll need separate learner driver policies for each provisional licence holder.

  • Yes, it’s possible to add a learner driver to your car insurance policy. Simply contact your insurer and request they be put on your policy. It may be quite expensive to do this though, so you’ll want to compare it to learner driver insurance options.

  • No, learner driver insurance becomes invalid once you’ve passed your test. You’ll need a standard car insurance policy to drive after that.

  • Dual insurance is when you or your car are insured with the same level of cover on two different policies, essentially doubling up on insurance which is a waste of money. This differs from learner driver insurance which is separate to the main car insurance policy.

  • It will if you’ve been added to their car insurance policy, rather than taking out a standalone learner driver policy and need to make a claim. This, in turn, will likely increase the cost of their annual premium, which can get expensive.

  • You can if you have an annual learner driver insurance policy and don’t make any claims within the first year.

  • It’s usually not possible to drive abroad while on a provisional licence, so check your policy details. You’ll just have to wait to take that European road trip.

  • If, for instance, you want to be insured on both of your parent’s cars, you’ll need to be added on to both policies separately, or you’ll need to take out separate learner driver policies for each vehicle.

  • Yes, you can drive at night with a provisional licence if you’re accompanied by a qualified driver, as long as your learner driver insurance allows you to do so. Read the terms and conditions carefully to make sure you don’t invalidate your policy.

  • Yes, it’s possible to drive on the motorway as a learner driver but only with an approved driving instructor and in a vehicle with dual controls.

  • It will if you’re using your own car to do the driving test. Remember that you won’t be covered as soon as you’re a qualified driver though, which means you’ll need a car insurance policy in place when you drive home from the test centre.

    If you’re in your driving instructor’s car, they’ll have insurance in place to cover you.

  • Yes, it’s possible to get points on your licence, even if it’s a provisional. This could be for speeding, using your phone, or driving alone – which could get you up to six points on your licence. Any points you get while learning to drive can be carried over to your full licence when you pass your test.

  • It might be possible to change cars during your policy term, but you may be required to pay a fee.

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