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What is temporary car insurance for new drivers?

Temporary car insurance for new drivers is for those who recently got their licence and are looking to get insured for short periods of time.

The first few years after getting your driving licence can be tricky when it comes to insurance. Premiums tend to be higher for new inexperienced drivers because they are considered risky by insurers.

If you need to drive all the time, you can have a look at our guide on how to get cheap car insurance as a new driver.

But many new drivers only get behind the wheel occasionally, for example when they are home from university or have a trip planned. If this sounds like you, do consider temporary car insurance instead.

How does temporary car insurance for new drivers work?

You can get a quote online and get yourself insured on someone else’s vehicle, be it the family car or a friend’s car you borrowed for the weekend.

Temporary car insurance is very flexible and you can usually get a policy that lasts between one hour and 30 days.

Most insurers offering temporary car insurance require you to have had your driving licence for at least six months (sometimes even a year), but a couple offer you a policy even if your driving licence is brand new.

Temporary car insurance for learner drivers

Temporary car insurance for new drivers is for people who have a full UK driving licence, albeit a new one.

If you have a provisional one and are preparing for your test, you need to look at temporary car insurance for learner drivers instead.

Benefits of temporary car insurance for new drivers

• Flexible. Temporary car insurance allows you to only pay for insurance when you are actually planning to drive.
• Quick to set up. You can do it online and in many cases get instant cover. You will need your licence and vehicle details.
• Potentially cheaper. Especially if you only use the car occasionally.
• Great for car sharing. Driving your sister’s car for the weekend? Road trip with your friends? Temporary car insurance is the quickest and easiest way of getting insured on someone else’s vehicle.
• No impact on no claim discount. If you get yourself added as a driver on your family’s car and then have to make a claim, the policy’s no claim bonus will be impacted and the overall premium might increase. You don’t run that risk with short-term car insurance. It’s personal and claims will only impact your own insurance record.

What temporary car insurance for new drivers covers (and what it doesn’t)

It depends on the insurer. You will get the standard third party cover, plus a series of extras, which may be optional and come at additional cost. Breakdown cover, for example, is usually not included in the cheapest policy.

If you are planning a road trip in Europe, some companies, such as Dayinsure, should also be able to arrange European cover for new drivers.

Who is eligible for temporary car insurance for new drivers?

You will need to hold a full UK driving licence, while the vehicle you want to get insurance for needs to be registered in the UK. You will also need to be 18 or older.

Temporary insurance companies also accept driving licences issued in the EU, EEA, South Africa, Switzerland, Australia or New Zealand, but some may require that you have had it for at least 6 or 12 months.

The bottom line

Temporary car insurance for new drivers is the right option for drivers who are just starting out and only get behind the wheel occasionally. It’s usually cheaper and quicker than getting yourself permanently added to an existing policy, but it all comes down to how often you need it.

It will still be more expensive than setting up temporary or permanent car insurance for a more experienced driver though. Young age and/or lack of experience will increase your premium with any insurers.

More in general, temporary car insurance can be great in a range of situations when you might need a car for a short period of time, from moving house to going for a trip, or picking up a friend at the airport and so on.

Frequently asked questions

Valentina Cipriani was a writer at Finder UK. She wrote news, features and guides about banking and credit cards, helping people to improve their financial lives. She holds an MA in International Journalism.

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