Do I need car insurance when learning to drive in the UK?

In this guide, we’ll explain why learner insurance is essential and explore the different options available to you.

How does car insurance work for learner drivers?

If you’re learning to drive in your own car or someone else’s, you’ll need car insurance. That’s where learner driver insurance comes in – a policy designed specifically for those with a provisional licence.

It lets learners get valuable practice outside of lessons, as long as they’re accompanied by someone over 21 who’s held a full licence for at least three years.

Learner drivers can choose from 3 different types of car insurance:

• Third-party:

  This is the minimum legal insurance you can get. It covers damage to other people’s cars, property, and injuries, but it doesn’t cover your own car or injuries.

• Third-party, fire and theft:

  This is the same as third-party insurance but also covers your car if it's damaged by fire or stolen.

• Comprehensive:

  This gives the most protection for you and your car. It covers your vehicle, other people’s cars, their property, and your own injuries. It’s often the cheapest option, too.

Learning in someone else’s car can feel daunting, but some learner policies protect the owner’s no-claims discount. If an accident happens and they need to make a claim, their bonus won’t be affected.

Do you need car insurance for professional driving lessons?

You don’t need separate insurance for lessons, because driving instructors already have coverage that protects students. If you’re unsure, it’s worth asking your instructor.

You only need learner driver insurance when practising in your own car or someone else’s outside of lessons.

Instructor insurance differs from learner driver insurance because it’s business-focused, covering things like commercial use of the car and dual controls.

Do you need learner driver insurance to practice in your own car?

Yes – if you’re learning in your own car, you’ll need insurance, as it’s a legal requirement. You have a couple of options for learner driver coverage.

• Annual learner driver policy:

  If you want to practise alongside your lessons, an annual policy could be a good choice. It covers you for a full year, so you don’t have to worry about renewing it if you need extra practice. Just remember to cancel or update the policy once you pass your test.

• Short-term or temporary learner driver insurance:

  This is ideal if you only need a few practice trips in another vehicle. If you need more time, you can simply top up the policy for extra days.

When you’re learning, you must display two L plates, visible from both the front and rear of the car. Attach them securely and make sure they don’t block your view.

Once you’ve passed your test, you can update your annual learner policy to a standard car insurance policy. If you don’t have an annual policy, you’ll need to get a new insurance policy – you can compare options to find one that suits you.

Do you need learner driver insurance to practise in someone else's car?

Yes, you must have insurance to drive someone else's car. There are a couple of options available:

• Temporary learner driver insurance:

  You can choose cover for anywhere from 1 hour up to 28 days. If an accident occurs, the car owner’s no-claims bonus is protected.

• You can be added as a named driver: The car owner can add you as a named driver — for example, your parents might include you on their insurance while you’re learning. Because you haven’t passed your test yet, this can be expensive, and any claim you make could affect their no-claims bonus.

Remember, the person accompanying you must be over 21 and have held a full driving licence for at least three years.

If you’re a named driver, you shouldn’t be doing the majority of the driving on the policy. This is called fronting, and it’s illegal.

What happens to your insurance after you pass your driving test?

Once you’ve passed your test, you’ll need to update your insurance, as learner driver policies no longer cover you. Driving without the correct policy would be illegal.

It’s worth planning ahead for the journey home from the test centre so you can safely shop around for the best insurance. While you compare policies, a temporary car insurance policy can give you flexibility to get on the road legally.

First-time car insurance can be expensive, as new drivers are generally seen as higher risk. One way to reduce costs is a black box (or telematics) policy, which monitors your driving and adjusts your premium based on how safely you drive, rather than relying solely on age or experience.

Other important insurance considerations for learner drivers

Key points to remain mindful of:

• You must display visible L plates (or D plates in Wales) at the front and rear of the car.

• Driving without the correct insurance could result in a £300 fine, six points on your licence, and higher insurance costs in the future.

• The car you’re learning in must be roadworthy and taxed.

• Your insurance only covers you when driving under supervision of someone over 21 with at least three years’ driving experience.

• If you plan to take your test in your own car, check that your learner driver insurance covers it. You can confirm this in your policy documents or by contacting your insurer.