Why do car insurance companies ask for your driving licence?

Key takeaways

• Your driving licence can affect your car insurance quote because it shows your licence type, driving experience and entitlement to drive - the longer you hold your licence the lower your costs are likely to be

• You do not always have to provide your driving licence number, but it can help insurers check your details more accurately

• Convictions, penalty points, licence restrictions and some medical conditions can affect your cover, so you must answer insurer questions honestly

Does my driving licence affect my car insurance?

Yes, your driving licence can influence how much you pay for car insurance - insurers consider several details about your licence, including:

• The type of licence you have

• Any convictions or points on your licence

• Any medical conditions declared on your licence

• The length of time you’ve held your licence

MoneySuperMarket data shows licence type can make a difference to car insurance prices. In March 2026, the 10th percentile annual premium for 17-24-year-old drivers with a full UK car licence was £590.84^{^} , compared with £902.92^{^} for drivers with an automatic-only UK licence and £1281.20^{^} for drivers with a full international licence.

A full UK licence may be cheaper to insure than a provisional, automatic-only or non-UK licence, but insurers also consider your car, age, postcode, job and claims history.

Do I have to give my insurer my driving licence information?

You aren’t required to give your insurer your driving licence number, but it can make your quote more accurate. A government service called View Driving Record, developed by the DVLA and available through the Gov website, uses your licence number to let your insurer automatically see your driving records and information, so you don’t have to input it manually.

It also means your insurer can set premiums more accurately based on the full information they’ll receive by using this service.

What types of driving licence are there?

There are multiple different types of driving licence, and to drive on UK roads you’ll need a licence in one of the following categories:

• A full UK car licence

• A full EU licence

• A full European non-EU licence

• A full international licence

• A provisional licence for learner drivers

What is a provisional driving licence?

A provisional licence lets you learn to drive before you pass your practical test. If you are driving on a provisional licence, you must follow learner driver rules, which usually means displaying L plates and being supervised by someone who meets the legal requirements.

You also need valid car insurance - this could be learner driver insurance, temporary insurance or cover as a named driver on someone else’s policy.

What types of full UK driving licence are there?

In the UK, you can get a number of variations on the full UK driving licence, which you get once you’ve passed your practical and theory exams:

• Standard issue full UK driving licence

• Automatic only: You’ll only be able to drive cars with an automatic transmission

• IAM: Indicates you’ve taken the IAM RoadSmart advanced driving course

• Pass Plus: Indicates you’ve taken and passed the Pass Plus advanced driving course

• Medically restricted: If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive - the full list of conditions can be found on the government website

What is an automatic-only licence?

An automatic-only licence means you can drive automatic cars but not manual cars - this restriction usually appears as code 78 on your driving licence. If you pass your test in an automatic car, you cannot legally drive a manual car unless you later pass a manual driving test.

Automatic-only licences may affect insurance prices because insurers consider the type of licence you hold, as well as the car you want to insure.

MoneySuperMarket data suggests automatic-only licence holders may pay more than drivers with a full UK car licence. In March 2026, the 10th percentile annual premium for drivers aged 30-39 was £520.88^{^} for automatic-only licence holders, compared with £305.23^{^} for full UK car licence holders.

Can I drive in the UK with a non-UK licence?

If you don’t have a full UK driving licence, you can still drive on UK roads if you have one of the following international driving licences:

EU/EEC licence: A licence from the European Union or the European Economic Community is valid in the UK until it expires, either when you turn 70 or three years after you become a UK resident - whichever is longer. But if you got the EU licence by exchanging a non-EU licence you’ll need to pass a UK test after 12 months to keep driving.

Exchangeable international licence: You can drive in the UK for up to 12 months if your licence was issued in:

The Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey or Gibraltar, or from Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates or Zimbabwe.

After 12 months you’ll need to exchange it for a full licence, but you won’t need to retake your test if no longer than five years has passed since you became a resident.

Non-exchangeable licence: If your licence was issued by a country not in the EU, the EEC or the list above, you’ll still be able to drive in the UK for 12 months – but once this is up you’ll have to pass the UK driving and theory test to get a full licence. You won’t need to take any lessons, but you might find it useful either way.

Is car insurance more expensive with a non-UK driving licence?

Unfortunately, yes - car insurance tends to be pricier if you don’t have a UK driving licence. Insurers see you as less experienced on UK roads and therefore at a higher risk of making a claim - and understandably, as the chances are you’ll be used to driving on the other side of the road!

It may also be harder to verify your driving history or no-claims discount from another country. It’s also possible that you won’t be able to carry over your no-claims bonus if you have a non-UK licence.

There are specialist insurers in the market that might let you transfer your bonus over, so it’s worth shopping around for cover as it can help knock your premiums down.

Can I drive in the UK without a full driving licence?

You cannot drive unaccompanied in the UK without a full driving licence, and to take lessons you’ll need a provisional licence. You’ll be eligible for the UK driving test after living in the country for at least six months.

Do driving convictions affect the cost of car insurance?

Yes, having driving convictions on your licence will affect not only the cost of your car insurance premiums but also your ability to get cover in the first place. Your increased risk profile means some insurers may deny you cover outright, so you may need to take out specialist insurance.

Do I have to tell my insurer about my driving convictions?

Yes, you should be up front and honest about any unspent driving convictions on your policy - but once they’re spent, which essentially means expired, you’ll no longer need to declare them. Convictions become spent after a certain length of time, depending on the nature of the conviction itself.

How do different driving convictions affect car insurance premiums?

The effect different driving convictions will have on your car insurance premiums will depend on the type of conviction it is - some will be viewed as more serious than others. However insurers consider a number of other factors when deciding your premiums, so it’s always good to compare your options to ensure you find the best deal possible.

What if I have more than one conviction on my licence?

Having multiple convictions on your driving licence is likely to increase your premiums further.

Do medical conditions affect my car insurance?

Certain medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy or sleep apnoea can affect your ability to drive safely, so you’ll need to mention if you have any medical restrictions on your licence to your insurer. However it shouldn’t affect your premiums or your ability to get cover unless there is evidence that you are an increased risk.

What health conditions need to be reported to the DVLA?

There are a number of conditions that will need to be reported to the DVLA, including:

• Diabetes

• Epilepsy

• Sleep apnoea

• Heart conditions

• Glaucoma

• Strokes

• Visual impairment

• Physical disabilities

How do I notify the DVLA about my medical conditions?

If you have a medical condition you can check if it’s one you need to report – and find the appropriate forms to do so – on the government website.

Do I have to tell my insurer about my medical conditions?

If you have any medical restrictions you’ll need to tell your insurer as well as the DVLA.

Will having a licence restriction affect the cost of my car insurance policy?

Your insurer can’t refuse cover, increase premiums or charge a higher excess unless they can prove that you are an increased risk.

Does holding your licence for a long time reduce premiums?

It can - drivers who have held their licence for longer often pay less for car insurance. The longer you’ve held your licence, the more experience you have driving - so insurers will likely see you as less of a risk of being involved in an accident.

How to reduce the cost of cover if my licence increases my premiums?

If you're likely to face higher insurance premiums as a result of your licence type, here’s how you can try and balance these costs:

• Buy a manual car in a low insurance group: Manual cars are cheaper to insure as automatic gearboxes cost more to repair or replace, while cars in lower insurance groups are seen as less risky therefore also cheaper to cover. It’s also worth noting that insurance ends up cheaper when you have a full driving licence, as opposed to an automatic-only licence

• Pay annually for cover: Paying annually for cover might mean a big up-front lump sum, but it generally works out cheaper than paying over 12 months

• Reduce your mileage: The less time you spend on the road, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident and therefore make a claim - so lowering your expected mileage can help reduce the cost of cover

• Increase your excess: Paying higher voluntary excess fee indicates to insurers that you’re less likely to make a frivolous claim

• Improve your car security: Improving your car’s security features and keeping it stored safely lowers your risk of theft and therefore your insurance costs

• Build a no-claims discount: If you can go at least a year without claiming you’ll be eligible for a discount on your premiums, which you can transfer to a new provider if you choose

• Take a driving course: Taking a course like Pass Plus or IAM can potentially earn you lower premiums by demonstrating your skill as an advanced driver

• Apply for a UK licence: Finally, you can swap your EU, EEC or exchangeable international licence for a UK licence after six months of living in the UK, which can get you cheaper cover. With a non-exchangeable licence you’ll need to apply for a provisional and pass a driving test - again after six months

Compare car insurance with MoneySuperMarket

No matter what kind of licence you hold, you’ll need valid car insurance to drive on UK roads. Comparing car insurance policies with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to find the right cover – just tell us a little about yourself, your car and your driving history, and we’ll put together a list of quotes that match your requirements.

You’ll be able to compare policies by the overall annual and monthly cost, the excess you’ll need to pay and the cover you’ll get when you buy. Once you’ve found the deal you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.

As with any kind of insurance, the price isn’t always the most important factor. We suggest looking for a policy that offers the exact cover you need for the best possible price, so you can avoid over- or under-insuring yourself.