£4 million refunded to customers with free excess cover More info

New driver insurance

Compare cheap quotes for car insurance if you’ve passed your test recently

Find out more about the different levels of cover available and how to lower your premiums
Get car insurance
Family holiday with luggage on roof of car

What is new driver insurance?

New driver insurance is cover for those who have passed their driving test recently.

It gives new drivers the protection they need while they build up their driving experience.

There are several different options to choose from, so it pays to do your research and find one that offers the right price and cover for your needs.

Two young adult women sitting at the hood of a car laughing

Do new drivers pay higher car insurance premiums?

Yes, car insurance for new drivers - particularly for those between the ages of 17 and 25 - can be expensive.

With less experience behind the wheel, you’re more likely to have an accident, so insurers see you as a higher risk.

As a result, premiums are often much higher as there’s a greater chance that new drivers will make a claim and insurers will have to pay out.

How much does new driver insurance cost?

The price of car insurance depends on several factors. But generally, your premiums in the first three years of driving are the most expensive.

Because you’re statistically more likely to have a serious car accident if you’re aged between 17 and 24, the price of car insurance for new drivers under 25 is usually much higher.

Our data shows 25 year olds paid around £359 less than 17 year olds*.

The cost of claims for young drivers also tends to be higher which pushes up premiums.

The good news is that your insurance usually costs less as your driving experience increases. And there are several ways to help bring your premiums down.

The good news is your insurance should get cheaper the more experienced you gain. That’s assuming you don’t have to claim, and you build up a no-claims bonus (NCB).

*Average cost of annual comprehensive car insurance for policies bought through Go.Compare between Jan to November 2022 when the policyholder is 17, 21 or 25.

How much does car insurance cost for new drivers?

Factors that affect the price of car insurance

Insurers will consider your:

  1. Age

    Older drivers will typically pay less than younger ones

  2. Driving history

    Any driving convictions will increase the price and could even make it difficult to find cover

  3. Postcode

    A high crime rate in your area can push up your premium

  4. Job title

    Some jobs require more driving and can increase the risk to your vehicle

  5. Type of car

    Insurers look at the car you drive, including its engine size and value

  6. Car modifications

    Some will increase a car’s value and risk of having an accident, but safety modifications could lower your premium

  7. Claims history

    If you’ve made any claims in the last five years, you’ll usually pay more

£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.

Get car insurance

^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.

excess cover for car

What type of car insurance do new drivers need?

Many learner driver policies are automatically cancelled once you pass your test. So you’ll need to take out new cover before you can hit the road as a newly qualified driver.

There are three main types to choose from:

Third party only

This is the minimum level of car insurance legally required in the UK. It covers any damage you cause to other cars and property, but you’ll have to pay for any damage to your car yourself

Third party, fire and theft

As well as providing third party cover, this type of policy will cover your car if it’s stolen or damaged by fire. In some cases, it’ll also cover damage from attempted theft

Comprehensive

Fully comprehensive car insurance provides the highest level of cover and it’s usually the cheapest option. As well as providing cover for all of the above, it will also pay out for damage to your car

How new drivers can get cheaper car insurance quotes

Although you’ll typically pay more for car insurance as a new driver, there are some ways to lower the cost:

  1. Take a recognised advanced driving course

    As well as improving your skills and confidence on the road, advanced driver training might also help to reduce your car insurance costs

  2. Get insured with a more experienced driver

    Adding a more experienced driver, like a parent, to your policy could reduce your risk to insurers and make your cover cheaper.

    Be honest about who the main driver is though. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy or lead to a criminal conviction if you're involved in an accident.

  3. Drive a car from a lower insurance group

    Insurers group cars by make and model. Premiums for cars in higher groups are more expensive than those in lower ones, so look for a cheaper car with a small engine

  4. Estimate your mileage accurately

    Driving less over the course of a year can reduce the cost. Don’t pay for more than you need to

  5. Drive safely

    Driving carefully and responsibly means you’ll be less likely to make a claim which can help to make your insurance cheaper over time

  6. Pay annually

    It usually costs less to pay one annual premium than spreading it out over monthly instalments

  7. Keep your car safe

    Keeping your car on your driveway or in a locked garage overnight, or installing security measures like a tracking device, can lower the cost of insurance

What other car insurance options are there for new drivers?

Learner driver insurance

If you’ll be learning and practising to drive in a car other than a qualified driving instructor’s vehicle, you’ll need learner driver insurance to make sure you’re covered. However, you’ll still need a new policy as soon as you pass your test

Telematics

Also known as black box car insurance, insurers monitor your driving with a device fitted in your car, or through an app. The data on your driving habits can help lower your premiums (if you’re a safe driver) when it comes to renewal time

Named driver insurance

It can help lower your insurance costs if a new driver isn’t the only one driving the car. If you’re not the main driver, you can be added to the car owner’s policy. But if you are, you can add an experienced driver, like one of your parents, to your policy

Short-term car insurance

Getting temporary car cover can be cheaper than an annual policy if you’ll only be driving the car for a limited time. It doesn’t affect the owner’s no claims discount and can be ideal for young drivers who occasionally use their parent’s car

Pay-as-you-go car insurance

If you’ll be driving less than 6,000 miles a year, you might be better off paying for your insurance by the hour or mile. You’ll pay a low monthly premium and then just a small amount each time you drive

Low mileage

Drivers who cover less than the average annual mileage can choose a policy with a low mileage cap. You’ll usually pay less the fewer miles you drive, but underestimating your mileage could void your cover

Car insurance need-to-knows for new drivers

There can be a lot to take in when you’re considering which insurance to buy, but it’s useful to know about:

  • The excess - This is how much you agree to pay towards a claim and is deducted from any payout you might receive.
  • No-claims bonus - The longer you’re insured without making a claim, the higher the discount you can build up. But it only usually applies to the main driver on the policy
  • Penalties for driving without insurance - You need third party cover at the very least. If you get caught driving without insurance, you could face a fine, points on your licence and possibly even a driving conviction. You’ll also find that getting car insurance in the future becomes more expensive
  • Compare quotes - What you pay and the level of cover you receive will vary between insurers. So it’s always best to compare policy options and insurers to get the best deal

Advice on safe driving practices for new drivers

  1. Keep your distance - Leaving enough space between your car and the vehicle in front can give you enough time to react to situations on the road
  2. Practise defensive driving - Knowing what to look out for and anticipating potential hazards can help you to avoid accidents
  3. Consider using P plates - This lets other road users know you’re still building up your driving experience and to give you more time and space to manoeuvre
  4. Avoid road trips with friends - It’s easy to get distracted if you’re driving with friends in the car, so wait until you’ve got more experience before you start offering lifts
  5. Stay calm - You’ll be more focused and safer on the road if you avoid driving when you’re upset or angry. Try to respond calmly to other drivers and avoid confrontation on the road
  6. Slow down - Don’t feel rushed by the traffic around you. Move at a speed you’re comfortable with
  7. Plan a motorway trip - Planning your journey and staying in the left-hand lane until you’re used to the pace of traffic can help your confidence. You could also consider extra motorway lessons

Frequently asked questions

  • If you’re caught driving without car insurance, you’ll face six points on your licence and a £300 fine as a minimum.

    The police may also seize your car and you could be disqualified from driving for several months or more if you’re a repeat offender.

    Plus, driving without insurance will make it harder and more expensive to get cover in the future.

  • Yes, if you’ll be driving the car from time to time, your parents can add you as a named driver on their insurance policy.

    This may increase their premiums but, as a young driver, it’s usually a cheaper option than taking out a policy of your own.

  • If you have an accident, you’ll need to tell your insurer and provide them with as much information as possible, even if you don’t need to make a claim. 

    Being at fault in an accident or making a claim on your car insurance will usually make your premiums more expensive when it comes to renewal.

  • This depends on whether you’re covered to do so. You can legally drive someone else’s car if you’re a named driver on their policy. Or if it’s an emergency, and they’ve given you permission to drive it and your insurance policy covers you for driving other cars.

    Always check the cover details to make sure you’re covered first.

  • Yes. If your car is parked up on the road it still needs at least TPO insurance. If you can park your car in your garage or driveway, you might want to consider making a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) and comparing SORN insurance instead.

Load more

Car insurance guides

Tools and calculators

*Average cost of annual comprehensive car insurance for policies bought through Go.Compare between Jan to November 2022 when the policyholder is 17, 21 or 25.

Page last reviewed: 16th March 2023
Page reviewed by: Jasmine Hembury