Taking your driving test is a big milestone and passing your test can often be your first taste of freedom. In the UK, around 1.6 million practical driving tests are taken each year, but many learner drivers still have questions around insurance – what type of cover is needed and in what situations.
The answer isn’t always straightforward, and it can depend on whose car you’re driving, among other factors. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about car insurance for a driving test, including when you need your own policy, how learner driver insurance works and what happens if you don’t have cover.
What is a driving test?
The practical driving test in the UK is the final step to gaining your full UK driving licence. In the test, your ability to drive safely and competently under real-world conditions will be assessed. For many learners, one of the biggest worries, aside from nailing your driving test manoeuvres, is whether they’re properly insured on the day. It is important to ensure you have the correct insurance for driving tests before test day.
What is car insurance?
Car insurance is a legal requirement for anyone driving on UK roads. It protects both the driver and other road users in the event of an accident. For learner drivers, this usually means being covered either by an instructor’s insurance, a parent or guardian’s policy, or through your own specific learner driver insurance policy.
When do I need to take out my own car insurance as a learner?
The rules around when you need to take out your own car insurance as a learner driver can vary slightly depending on how you’re learning to drive.
Do I need insurance for driving lessons in an instructor’s car?
If you’re learning to drive with a professional instructor, their car will already be insured for both lessons and the driving test. Part of your lesson fees will include your insurance cover. Before your first lesson, your instructor should check your provisional licence details as this will impact what vehicles you’re allowed to drive.
You should always check with your instructor that they have the right insurance in place for your lessons and for you to take the driving test in their car.
Do I need insurance for learning in someone else’s car?
Yes, if you’re practicing in a friend or family member’s car you’ll need to be insured as a leaner driver. This could be through being added as a named driver on the car owner’s annual policy, or by taking out temporary learner driver insurance of your own.
Do I need insurance if I’m learning in my car?
Yes, if you own the car you’ll need to arrange learner driver insurance in your own name. You should ensure that the car is roadworthy, correctly taxed and fitted with L plates.
To be eligible for Dayinsure learner insurance you must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a current provisional GB driving licence
- Be aged between 17 and 50 years old
- Be a permanent UK resident
The vehicle you’re being insured on must be:
- Registered in the UK
- Have a current market value of less than £40,000
- Have no more than 7 seats (including the driver’s)
- Have not been modified
- Not be a hire or rental vehicle.
For further details, take a look at our full acceptance criteria.
Does a passenger with a learner driver need insurance?
If the passenger is the supervising driver, they must meet certain criteria. If the vehicle being driven belongs to the passenger, then either they will need to add the learner driver to their policy as a named driver, or the learner driver should take out specific cover.
Do I need car insurance to take a driving test?
This will depend on how you plan to take your driving test, for example, in your own car, in a friend or family member’s car or in your instructor’s car.
If you’re taking your driving test in your instructor’s car, then you won’t need to purchase any extra insurance. You will be covered under their policy, just like you were covered during your driving lessons. The cost is generally including in the fee that you pay for your lessons.
If you’re taking your test in your own car or a friend or family member’s car, you will need to ensure you have the correct insurance. You can take out learner driver insurance that will cover you in both of these instances.
Instructor’s car ✅ Covered by instructor’s insurance (check with them first)
Your own car ✅ Must be insured in your name with learner driver insurance
Someone else’s car ✅ You must be insured either with your own learner driver insurance or added as a named driver on to the car owner’s policy
Is my own car insured for a driving test?
If you’re planning to use your own car for your driving test, you must ensure that your policy covers the driving test itself. You can check this with your insurer.
The car must also meet the DVSA’s rules for tests:
- Must be roadworthy and in good working order
- Tyres must have sufficient tread depth
- Must have an mph speedometer and be able to reach at least 62mph
- Must include an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner
- Must have a passenger seatbelt and head restraint
- Must display L plates on both the front and back of the car
- Should be clean inside and out
- Must have 4 wheels and meet the MAM limit
Find out the full list of DVSA criteria for using your own car for your driving test here.
Can I drive someone else’s car for a driving test?
Yes, but only if you’re properly insured. Some policies won’t cover learners or driving tests, so it’s important to confirm this in advance. Temporary learner driver insurance is flexible and hassle-free, a perfect option if you just need a couple of hours cover for your driving test.
What insurance do you need to take a driving test?
You can have different kinds of insurance to take your driving test, depending on your situation:
- Driving instructor’s insurance: generally included in the price of your lessons with your instructor, this will cover you the same as in your lessons.
- Named driver insurance: if you’re taking the test in a friend or family member’s car, they can add you as a named driver on their annual policy but this can often by costly as learners are considered ‘high-risk’.
- Temporary learner driver insurance: this is your own insurance policy in your own name. It is flexible and cost-effective as it allows you to pay only for the time you need behind the wheel.
Does learner insurance cover a driving test?
Yes, if you have learner driver insurance with Dayinsure, your policy will cover you for the day of your driving test as long as your policy is still valid.
However, once you’ve been given the good news that you’ve passed your test, your learner insurance is no longer valid, so you’ll need to make sure someone else can drive you back from the test centre. This can easily be done by insuring a friend or family member on the car with temporary car insurance.
You’ll also need to take out another policy that covers you as a fully qualified driver after passing your test so that you can drive your chosen car legally on the roads.
How do I take out driving insurance for a driving test?
Getting covered with learner driver insurance from Dayinsure for a driving test can be quick and simple:
- Decide what car you’ll be using for your test
- Download our app or visit our website
- Fill in our simple quote form
- Get your quote cost
- Purchase your policy and you can be on the road in minutes
Will I need to show proof of insurance when I take my test?
If you’re driving your own car or a friend or family member’s, some driving test centres may require you to show proof of your insurance before the test. You should check this requirement in advance but always have easy access to your insurance documents to help you avoid any delays.
What happens if I don’t have insurance for my driving test?
If you turn up on the day without valid insurance, you won’t be allowed to take your test. If you’re involved in an accident during the test and don’t have insurance, you could be held financially responsible for any damage caused.
Does having an accident as a leaner driver affect my insurance?
Making a claim as a leaner could increase future premiums. Insurers see learners as high-risk drivers with being new to the roads, so it’s important to drive carefully and understand how accidents can affect your policy.
Following an accident, the basic cost of your premium is likely to increase, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. Once you have passed your test, you should disclose to your insurer the details of any accidents you’ve had.
What happens if I have an accident with an uninsured driver?
If you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). This ensures you aren’t left out of pocket due to someone else’s lack of cover.
Does failing a driving test affect insurance?
No, failing your driving test doesn’t have any impact on your insurance. However, if you’re on a temporary learner driver policy, you may need to extend or renew your policy whilst you prepare for your next attempt at the test.
How can Dayinsure help?
We make it easy to arrange learner driver insurance to practice your driving before your test, as well as to ensure you are covered on your test day. Whether you’re driving your own car or borrowing a friend or family member’s car, our flexible learner policies can fit your needs.
✅ Flexible cover, from 1 day to 5 months
✅ Get insured in minutes
✅ Save money using our app
Get a quote today, and get ready to turn those L plates into P plates.
