What is learner driver car insurance?

Once you have your provisional licence, arranging the right insurance can be the next step to getting behind the wheel. Learner driver insurance lets you practise your driving skills, whether it’s in your own car or a family member’s. Cover can be arranged for a single day, a few weeks or months, or annual cover, so you just pay for what you need.

If you plan to practice in someone else’s car, having your own policy means you can build confidence without worrying about affecting the car owner’s no claims bonus. Every drive becomes a chance to grow your skills and get test-ready, while the car owner’s insurance stays protected.

With flexible options from leading UK providers, you can fit practice sessions around your lessons and lifestyle. It’s a great way to get more road experience, boost your confidence and feel fully prepared for the day you take your driving test.

Do I need learner driver car insurance?

If you’re driving on UK roads with a provisional licence, then you legally need to have insurance in place.

When you’re having lessons with an instructor, their insurance is usually included in the lesson price, so you’re likely to be already covered there. But if you want to get in some extra practice outside of lessons in your own car or someone else's, insurance is a legal requirement to give you the coverage you need until you pass your test.

If you plan to practice in a friend or family member's car, then you can do this in two ways. Either arrange learner driver cover for yourself, or the car owner can add you as a named driver on their policy. If they add you to their existing policy, if you have an accident they can claim on their own insurance. However, this could see them losing their no claims bonus, and their premiums are likely to increase from their next renewal date.

Learner driver insurance can run alongside someone else’s main policy on the same car, so arranging your own policy typically protects their no claims bonus if you have a bump.

Am I eligible for learner driver car insurance?

To qualify for learner driver insurance, you’ll usually need to meet several criteria. Here’s an example of what one leading provider requires:

  • Hold a current provisional driving licence: You must have a valid provisional licence for the vehicle type you’re learning in.

  • Be a permanent UK resident: Your residency must be in the UK.

  • Address match: The address on your provisional license should match the address on your learner insurance policy.

  • Claim history: No more than one non-fault claim, zero at-fault claims, and no incidents likely to give rise to a claim.

  • Clean licence: No penalty points on your licence.

  • No motoring convictions: You must not have had any driving offences or convictions.

What does learner driver car insurance cover?

While learner driver cover can vary between providers, it’s usually fully comprehensive. Here’s an example of what one leading provider of comprehensive learner driver insurance covers:

  • Legal liability for injury: Covers death or injury to other people, including passengers.

  • Damage to property: Pays out if you cause damage to someone else’s property.

  • Damage to your vehicle: Pays out to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged.

  • Medical expenses: Pays out for medical treatment after an accident, up to a stated maximum.

  • Personal belongings: Pays out if items in your car are damaged or stolen, up to a stated maximum.

  • Policy excess: You’ll need to pay the compulsory excess for every claim.

The list above is one example, but remember that cover can vary depending on the insurer and the level of cover you pick. Comparing policies is the best way to make sure you get the protection that suits you.

One thing to bear in mind is that short-term policies usually end the moment you pass your test, so you’ll need to upgrade your policy or arrange new driver car insurance before you can get behind the wheel again. Annual learner driver cover, on the other hand, usually continues after you pass your test.

What isn’t covered by learner driver car insurance?

Even the most extensive car insurance policies have limits, so it’s important to know what isn’t included. The specifics vary between lenders, but learner driver insurance doesn’t always cover some things that regular car insurance does, so it’s important to check the details.

Here’s an example of what one provider of learner driver car insurance excludes from its coverage:

  • Driving without supervision: You’re only covered if you’re with a qualified driver aged 25–75 who’s held a full UK licence for at least three years.

  • Driving abroad: This policy only covers you in the UK.

  • Courtesy cars: There’s no cover for a replacement vehicle if yours is off the road.

  • Driving other cars: You’re not insured to drive any car other than the one named on the policy.

  • Using a borrowed car without existing insurance: If your friend or family member’s car doesn’t already have its own annual policy, you won’t be covered.

  • Keys left in the car: If the keys are left in the ignition or the engine is running when the car is stolen, you won’t be covered.

  • Wear and tear: Gradual damage, depreciation and mechanical or electrical failures aren’t covered.

  • Wrong fuel: Damage from using the wrong type of fuel isn’t included.

Always take time to read your full policy documents carefully to understand exactly what’s included and excluded. That way, you avoid any surprises if you ever need to make a claim.

How much does learner driver car insurance cost?

The cost of learner driver insurance can vary depending on your circumstances and the car you’re using. As a rough guide, one leading provider offers a one-day policy for just over £20 on average, while a week of cover costs around £36 on average. The average cost of its four-month policy is about £200.

As you can see, taking out a weekly policy instead of several one-day policies can reduce your overall cost, and a four-month policy works out cheaper than arranging four separate monthly policies. Here are some other factors that may influence the cost of your learner driver car insurance:

  • Your age: As with other types of car insurance, the younger you are, the more you’ll typically pay.

  • Amount of excess: Choosing a higher voluntary excess can lower your premium, but it means paying more yourself if you make a claim.

  • Type of car: Insurers look at how expensive, powerful, and desirable the car is, plus how safe and reliable they think it will be. Bigger engines usually mean higher costs, and cars that are often targeted by thieves can raise your premium, too.

  • Driving history: Past accidents, claims or driving convictions can increase costs.

  • Your postcode: Urban areas with higher traffic or theft rates typically have higher premiums, in addition to living in an area prone to flooding.

  • Modifications: Performance upgrades can bump up the premium. So can expensive speakers or in-car entertainment systems as they might make your car more attractive to thieves.

  • Car insurance group: Cars are placed into insurance groups (1–50) based on factors like repair costs, safety features and performance. The higher the group, the more you’ll usually pay.

Car insurance guides

Answering your questions about learner driver car insurance