At a glance
- Your standard car insurance does not automatically cover you to drive a motorhome.
- You need insurance that covers you, the motorhome and the journey before you drive.
- You also need the right driving licence category for the motorhome’s weight.
- In Great Britain, you can drive a motorhome up to 3.5 tonnes MAM on a standard Category B car licence. A motorhome over 3.5 tonnes and up to 7.5 tonnes needs Category C1.
- If you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, you may have C1 entitlement, but you should check your licence before driving.
- Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance can help eligible drivers get short-term cover from 1 hour to 30 days.
- Our temporary motorhome cover can help if you’re borrowing a motorhome, collecting one you’ve bought or sharing the driving.
- We can only cover eligible motorhomes and eligible drivers, so check the criteria before you apply.
You’ve planned the road trip. A friend or family member has offered to lend you their motorhome. The route is coming together and the keys are almost in your hand.
Before you drive, there’s one important question to answer: can I drive a motorhome on my car insurance?
In most cases, no. Your standard car insurance does not automatically cover you to drive a motorhome. Even if you have comprehensive car insurance for your own car, that does not mean you’re covered to drive a different type of vehicle.
You’ll need the right insurance and the right driving licence before you get behind the wheel.
With Dayinsure, eligible drivers can get temporary motorhome insurance from 1 hour to 30 days. It can help if you only need cover for a short trip, a weekend away, a collection journey or shared driving.
Can I drive a motorhome on my car insurance?
No. Your standard car insurance does not automatically cover you to drive a motorhome.
Car insurance is usually arranged for a specific vehicle. If your policy covers your car, that does not mean it also covers a motorhome, campervan or larger leisure vehicle.
You should also be careful with “Driving Other Cars” (DOC) cover. If it appears on your policy, it may only apply in limited situations and it shouldn’t be treated as cover for driving a motorhome.
Before you drive a motorhome, check three things:
- You have permission from the owner
- Your licence allows you to drive that motorhome
- You have insurance that specifically covers you to drive it
If any of those are missing, don’t drive.
Does car insurance cover a motorhome?
No, not unless the policy specifically says it does.
If you’re asking if your car insurance covers a motorhome, the safest answer is to check your documents before you even think about driving. Don’t assume your car policy follows you into another vehicle.
A motorhome is different from a car. It’s usually larger, heavier and designed for living as well as driving. It may include fitted cooking equipment, gas, electrical systems, water tanks, beds and storage.
That’s why you need cover that matches the vehicle and the journey.
With Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance, the policy is arranged for the named driver, the motorhome and the cover period shown on your documents. That makes it clear who is covered, which vehicle is covered and when the cover applies.
Do I need separate insurance for a motorhome?
Yes. You need insurance that covers you to drive the motorhome.
That might be annual motorhome insurance if you own and use the vehicle regularly. But if you only need cover for a short time, Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance may be a better fit.
Short-term motorhome insurance can help if you’re:
- Borrowing a motorhome from a friend or family member.
- Collecting a motorhome you’ve just bought.
- Sharing the driving on a long journey.
- Taking a weekend trip.
- Using a motorhome for a short holiday.
- Moving a motorhome from one location to another.
- Arranging cover while you decide what longer-term policy you need.
With Dayinsure, you can choose cover from 1 hour to 30 days, subject to eligibility.
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome?
To drive a motorhome in the UK, the licence you need depends entirely on the vehicle’s Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).
MAM means the total weight of the vehicle fully loaded, including passengers, fuel, fresh water and all your personal gear.
You can find this weight on the vehicle’s chassis plate. According to government guidelines, weight thresholds dictate which licence category you must hold on your physical licence card.
| Motorhome weight (MAM) | Licence category required | What it means for you |
| Up to 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes) | Category B | You can drive this on a standard, normal car licence |
| Over 3,500kg up to 7,500kg | Category C1 | You need a C1 entitlement, which depends on when you passed your test |
| Over 7,500kg | Category C | You must take a specialist heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test to drive these |
You can usually find the motorhome’s weight on its vehicle plate or in the vehicle documents. If you’re borrowing it, ask the owner to confirm the weight before you apply for insurance.
Can I drive a 3.5 tonne motorhome on a car licence?
Yes, if your licence includes Category B and the motorhome is no more than 3.5 tonnes MAM.
That means many smaller motorhomes and campervans can be driven on a standard car licence, as long as you meet the legal licence rules and the insurance criteria.
The weight matters. A motorhome that looks manageable may still be over 3.5 tonnes once fully loaded. Always check the MAM before you drive.
Do I need a C1 licence for a motorhome?
You need a C1 licence if the motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes MAM and up to 7.5 tonnes MAM.
This is where the date you passed your test can matter.
Motorhome licence rules after 1997
If you passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997, your standard Category B licence covers vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM.
To drive a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes and up to 7.5 tonnes, you’ll need Category C1 entitlement.
If you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you may already have C1 entitlement. Government guidance says drivers awarded a Category B car licence before 1 January 1997 had additional entitlement to Category C1, though it may depend on your current licence and medical status.
Don’t rely on memory. Check your driving licence record before you drive, especially if the motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes.
Why motorhomes need the right cover
A motorhome is not just a bigger car.
It’s a vehicle you can live in, sleep in and travel with for longer periods. That changes the type of cover you need.
Motorhomes can include:
- Beds and seating areas
- Fitted cooking equipment
- Gas cylinders
- Electrical systems
- Water tanks
- Larger storage areas
- Higher vehicle values
- Different driving and parking risks
They can also be wider, longer and heavier than the car you normally drive. That can make tight roads, car parks, height barriers and low-speed manoeuvres more challenging.
The right cover matters because it matches the vehicle you’re actually driving. Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance is for eligible motorhomes and eligible drivers who need short-term cover.
When Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance can help
Planning a trip with family or friends often involves sharing the driving or using someone else’s vehicle. Fortunately, temporary cover makes this incredibly simple and stress-free.
You’re borrowing a motorhome
If you’re borrowing a motorhome from a friend or family member, you’ll need permission from the owner and your own valid cover before you drive.
Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance can help eligible drivers borrow a motorhome for a short trip without needing annual cover.
You’re sharing the driving
Long motorhome journeys can be tiring, especially if you’re driving on unfamiliar roads or heading away for a full weekend.
If you want to share the driving, each person who drives needs their own valid cover. Your Dayinsure policy covers the named driver and motorhome shown on the documents, so don’t assume one policy covers everyone.
Temporary cover can help an eligible additional driver get covered for the time they need.
You’re collecting a motorhome you’ve bought
If you’ve just bought a motorhome, you need insurance before you drive it home.
Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance can help with short-term cover for the collection journey, giving you time to sort out your longer-term plans once the vehicle is home.
You’re going away for the weekend
If you only need cover for a short break, annual insurance may be more than you need.
Dayinsure motorhome insurance for a weekend can help eligible drivers get short-term cover for the exact period they need, from 1 hour to 30 days.
Who can get Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance?
We can offer temporary motorhome insurance when the driver, vehicle and journey meet our criteria.
For Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance, you must:
- Be aged between 25 and 75.
- Hold a current, valid, full GB driving licence.
- Have held your full GB licence for at least 12 months.
- Have the correct licence category for the motorhome you want to drive.
- Live at a permanent UK address.
- Have permission from the owner to drive the motorhome.
- Meet our claims, conviction and driving history criteria.
The motorhome must:
- Be registered in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man.
- Have an engine size of 3000cc or less.
- Be no more than 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.
- Not be USA-made.
- Have a bed, wardrobe and dining seating.
- Meet our vehicle criteria.
We also have rules around vehicle condition, modifications, imports and certain uses.
Before you apply, make sure the motorhome weight works for both your licence and our acceptance criteria.
How does Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance work?
Getting short-term motorhome cover with Dayinsure is designed to be straightforward.
1. Check your licence
Make sure your licence category matches the motorhome’s weight.
If the motorhome is up to 3.5 tonnes MAM, Category B may be enough. If it’s over 3.5 tonnes, you may need C1 or C depending on the weight.
2. Check the motorhome
Make sure the motorhome meets our criteria.
You’ll need to check things like the registration, engine size, weight, vehicle type and whether it has the required motorhome features.
3. Choose how long you need cover
You can choose cover from 1 hour to 30 days.
This can help if you need one-day motorhome insurance, short-term motorhome insurance for a weekend or cover for a longer road trip.
4. Check your documents before driving
Once your policy is arranged, check your documents before you set off.
Make sure:
- Your name is correct.
- The registration number is correct.
- The cover start time has arrived.
- The cover end time gives you enough time.
- The motorhome details are right.
- The journey fits the policy.
Do not drive before the policy starts or after it ends.
What to check before driving a motorhome
Before you leave, take a few minutes to check the basics.
Make sure:
- You have the owner’s permission.
- Your licence category is correct.
- Your insurance is active.
- The motorhome is taxed.
- The motorhome has a valid MOT if it needs one.
- The vehicle is roadworthy.
- Tyres, lights, mirrors and brakes look safe.
- Gas and electrical systems are secured before driving.
- Loose items are stored safely.
- You know the vehicle height, width and weight.
- You understand where you can park or stay overnight.
Motorhomes feel different to cars, especially if you’re not used to the size. Give yourself more space, take corners carefully and allow extra time for braking.
Get the right cover before your road trip
You should not rely on your standard car insurance to drive a motorhome.
Before you set off, check that your licence allows you to drive the motorhome and that you have insurance for that specific vehicle. If you’re borrowing, collecting or sharing the driving, make sure each driver has valid cover before they get behind the wheel.
Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance can help eligible drivers get flexible short-term cover from 1 hour to 30 days.
Ready to plan the trip? Get a temporary motorhome insurance quote through the Dayinsure website or the Dayinsure app before you drive.
FAQs about driving a motorhome on car insurance
Can I drive a motorhome on my car insurance?
No, your standard car insurance does not automatically cover you to drive a motorhome. You need insurance that covers the motorhome, the named driver and the journey. With Dayinsure, eligible drivers can get temporary motorhome insurance from 1 hour to 30 days.
Does Driving Other Cars cover apply to a borrowed motorhome?
Don’t assume it does. Driving Other Cars cover can be limited and may not apply to motorhomes. Check your policy documents before driving. If you need short-term cover, Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance can help eligible drivers borrow a motorhome with clear cover in place.
Can I drive someone else’s motorhome?
Yes, if you have the owner’s permission, the correct driving licence and valid insurance for that motorhome. Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance can help if you’re borrowing a motorhome for a short trip, collecting one or sharing the driving.
Can I drive a motorhome on a normal car licence?
You can drive a motorhome up to 3.5 tonnes MAM on a Category B car licence. If the motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes and up to 7.5 tonnes, you need Category C1. If it’s over 7.5 tonnes, you need Category C.
Do I need a C1 licence for a motorhome?
You need C1 if the motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes MAM and up to 7.5 tonnes MAM. Some drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 may have C1 entitlement, but you should check your licence record before driving.
Can I get one-day motorhome insurance?
Yes, if you and the motorhome meet our criteria. Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance is available from 1 hour to 30 days, so one-day motorhome insurance can help for collection journeys, short trips or a weekend plan.
Can I add another driver to share the driving in a motorhome?
Each driver needs their own valid cover before driving. With Dayinsure, the policy covers the named driver and motorhome shown on the documents. If someone else wants to drive, they need cover in their own name for that motorhome.
Can I insure a motorhome if I’m not the registered keeper?
Yes, if you have the owner’s permission and meet our criteria. Dayinsure temporary motorhome insurance can help eligible drivers borrow a motorhome without being the owner or registered keeper.
