Can I drive a van on my car insurance?
If you need to drive someone else’s van, hire a van or you’re buying a van, can you simply drive the van on your car insurance? Or do you need separate van insurance? Here we look at your options.
Key takeaways
Standard car insurance typically does not cover driving or hiring vans due to differences in vehicle size and risk; additional coverage or specific policies may be required
To legally drive a van in the UK, the appropriate licence category is necessary, with penalties for non-compliance
A no-claims bonus (NCB) can reduce insurance premiums and you may be able to transfer your NCB from a car to a van
Can I drive a van on my car insurance?
No, you’re unlikely to be able to drive a van on your car insurance. That’s because vans are usually larger and have different risk profiles compared to regular cars.
If you own a van you’ll usually need to have specific van insurance or change your car insurance to cover multiple vehicles (multi-vehicle insurance). Depending on what you use the van for, you'll need either private van or commercial van insurance.
Can I drive someone else's van on my car insurance?
It’s very unlikely that you'll be covered to drive someone else's van on your car insurance. Some insurers may cover you for driving other vehicles but only in an emergency. This is usually on a third-party basis so if you have an accident you'll only be covered for any damage caused to another vehicle.
Driving other vehicles may also only apply to driving other cars.
To drive someone else's van, you can ask to become a named driver on the van owner's policy, or consider temporary van insurance instead.
Can I add a van to my car insurance?
Whether you can add a van to your car insurance depends on your car insurance provider. Some providers offer multi-vehicle insurance which covers cars and vans under one policy. Others might require you to have a separate policy.
Can I hire and drive a van on my car insurance?
Typically, a standard car insurance policy does not cover driving hired vans. If you hire a van the rental company will usually include insurance in the hire cost or allow you to add it on. However, it’s important to check the level of cover and the policy excess. If the excess is high you may want to arrange your own temporary or short-term van insurance, which can cover you for brief periods (from one day to 31 days).
What licence do I need to drive a van?
What licence you need to drive a van depends on the weight of the van, what tests you have taken and when you took those tests.
To drive a van in the UK, you must have the appropriate category on your driving licence:
Category B: If you have a UK car licence you will have a category B driving licence. This allows you to drive a petrol or diesel van weighing up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kilograms). You will also be allowed to drive an electric van, weighing up to 4.25 tonnes (4,250kg), thanks to a rule change in 2018, and you may no longer need to do additional training
Category C1: This entitles you to drive heavier vans weighing between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes (3,500kg and 7,500kg). If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997 you’re likely to already have this entitlement
You can check the categories on your driving licence photocard or online using GOV.UK view or share my driving licence.
If you passed your car driving test after 1 January 1997 and want to drive a van weighing 3.5 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes you need to apply for provisional C1 entitlement and then pass theory and practical driving tests
If you are planning to drive a vehicle above 3.5 tonnes professionally you’ll need a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), even if you passed your car driving licence before 1997. To get a CPC you need to complete 35 hours of training every five years
Driving a van without the correct licence can result in severe penalties. Currently, these are:
A fine of up to £1,000
Three to six penalty points
Check the categories on your UK driving licence
Adding categories to your licence
Legal consequences of non-compliance
Does my no-claims bonus apply to both my car and van?
A no-claims bonus (NCB) or no-claims discount can significantly reduce your car insurance premiums for each year you drive without making a claim. However, it can’t be used on more than one vehicle at once. You may be able to transfer your NCB from your car to a van but this depends on the provider and you’ll need to give them evidence.
How to choose the right van insurance for your needs
Comparing quotes with MoneySuperMarket is easy and stress-free. We help you find the best insurance to suit your needs. Whether you need private van insurance, business van cover, or courier van insurance, we've got you covered.
