jillybean:my father is the registered keeper of the car my mother is the primary driver of, it is also insured in his name but she is a named driver on the policy.  Is this legal or does she need her own insurance.

Hi jillybean,

All other comments are correct and true; but I would say that between 'Spouse'; the registered keeper/owner/driver of the vehicle is not really a big issue. You should only worry if the risk for one person (the named) is higher than the main as the rates will be muddled, providing an incorrect premium. This is generally when the insurer feels peeved!