What is provisional licence insurance?
You'll need this type of cover if you're taking private lessons.
Temporary learner driver insurance
Learn to drive with temporary learner insurance
What is temporary learner driver insurance?
Temporary learner driver insurance is short-term cover specifically for learner drivers who want to take private lessons or practise driving in their own car or someone else’s before they take their driving test.
It works alongside the car owner’s existing policy so their no-claims discount is protected if the learner driver has an accident.
When do I need a short-term learner driver policy?
If you’re a provisional licence holder you are legally required to have valid insurance when driving. If you’re taking lessons with a qualified driving instructor they will cover you to drive their vehicle but otherwise you’ll need your own learner driver insurance or to be a named driver on an existing policy.
A short-term learner driver policy can be useful if:
You’re practising in a parent’s or friend’s car
You’re practising in your own car
You want extra driving experience before a test
You need temporary cover during school or university holidays
How long can a short-term learner driver policy last for?
Short-term learner driver insurance can last from just a few hours up to several months, giving you the flexibility to only pay for the cover you need.
Your policy automatically becomes invalid once you pass your driving test. At that point you’ll need to inform your insurer to update, cancel, or replace the policy with appropriate cover as a newly qualified driver.
What does temporary learner insurance cover?
Policies are fully comprehensive as standard but details can vary between providers. Always check your policy documents to confirm your cover.
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What is usually covered?
Use of the car while you take the official driving test
Accidental damage to your vehicle e.g. another car hits you from behind
Loss, theft, fire or vandalism e.g. your engine overheats and ignites
Third-party liability e.g. you accidentally scrape another car while parking
Personal accident e.g. you’re injured or killed in a road accident
Legal expenses e.g. you're sued for injuring another road user
Remember, if you do need to make a claim, it won’t affect the car owner’s no-claims bonus as temporary learner insurance is a separate, standalone policy.
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What isn't usually covered?
Driving without a qualified supervising driver
Motorway driving (that can only be done with an approved driving instructor in car that has dual controls)
Driving once you’ve passed your test
Driving other vehicles
Additional named drivers
Claims outside the declared vehicle use
Commercial deliveries
Transporting passengers for payment
Wear and tear - the normal deterioration that's expected over time
Unattended vehicle e.g. you leave your car with the engine running or the keys in the ignition and it’s stolen
How much does temporary learner driver insurance cost?
Temporary learner driver insurance usually costs from around £20 per day but prices can be less than £1 per day in some instances. There are a number of factors which will influence your insurance costs, such as:
Your age: If you’re under 21 you’re likely to face a higher premium as insurers consider you at higher risk of an accident
Your car’s make and model: Smaller, less powerful cars that fall into lower insurance groups are typically cheaper to insure
The duration of cover: Typically the price per day reduces the longer you take out cover for
Your job title: Being a student often results in higher insurance premiums
Can I drive any car with temporary learner driver insurance?
No, you cannot drive any vehicle with temporary learner driver insurance because insurers usually have set criteria about the vehicle. The vehicle requirements can vary by insurer but typically the vehicle must be:
Registered in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man
Taxed and roadworthy with a valid MOT (if your car is over 3 years old)
Not declared off the road (SORN)
Current market value of less than £40,000
No more than 7 seats, including the driver's seat (some insurers specify 5 seats)
No seized vehicles or vehicles that have been held in a police compound
Under 3.5 tonnes in weight
Engine size of 3999c or less
No engine modifications, body kits or alloy wheels – unless fitted at manufacture, or carried out for a disabled driver or passenger
Not be imported from another country through channels other than the maker's official distribution system
Displaying L plates (or you can use D plates in Wales)
Only be used while the learner driver is being supervised by a driver aged 21 (or 25 years old) and who has held a full driving licence for at least three years
Our expert says…
There is no minimum number of hours or driving lessons you need to have in order to pass your driving test. However, research suggests it typically takes 45 hours of lessons, plus 22 hours of practising so taking out temporary learner driver insurance can be a great way to master some of the manoeuvres you find tricky during lessons and help prepare you for the big day"
Sara Newell Motor & Home Insurance Expert
What is the cheapest way to insure a learner driver?
The cheapest way to get insurance as a learner driver will depend on your individual circumstances but your options are:
Being added as a named driver on someone else’s policy such as your parent’s
Taking out a standalone annual policy
Being insured on your driving instructor’s car (the cost of this will be included in the amount you pay for driving lessons)
Taking out a standalone temporary policy
Short-term temporary cover or being a named driver is likely to be the cheapest option if:
Most of your driving is going to be done in your driving instructor’s car
You will only occasionally practise in your parents’ car or a friend’s car
Before making a decision it’s a good idea to compare the cost of short-term and annual learner driver insurance, as well as being a named driver on another policy.
Who is responsible if a learner driver has an accident?
If a learner driver causes an accident (i.e. an at-fault accident) they are responsible but their driving instructor can also be held responsible if:
They didn’t make sure the learner driver followed the rules of the road and drove safely
They didn’t intervene to prevent the learner driver causing an accident by using dual controls
They were under the influence of drugs or alcohol
They were distracted by using their mobile phone
If another driver, (known as the third-party) causes the accident (for example, by driving into the back of the learner driver’s vehicle) it’s a non-fault accident and the cost should be covered by the third party’s insurance.
Can my parents drive my car on learner insurance?
No, if you have learner driver insurance it only applies to you as the policyholder. However, your parents might have driving other cars included in their insurance which may allow them to drive your car. This is usually on a third-party basis, and it may be for emergencies only so check their policy documents carefully.
Alternatively, your parents might be able to:
Be a named driver on your insurance policy
Take out separate short-term car insurance
What happens if you're caught driving without insurance on a provisional licence?
If you drive uninsured you risk getting a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points on your driving licence. This could result in your licence being cancelled as there are strict rules for learner drivers and for new drivers for the first two years of passing their test.
Driving without insurance could also lead to:
Your car being seized
Going to court. If you’re prosecuted you might get an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving
You’re also likely to see your future car insurance premiums rise or struggle to get cover from insurance providers.
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Reviewed on 20 Mar 2026
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
