At a glance
- You must have insurance before driving a car home after buying it privately
- You must also tax the car before using it on the road, as tax doesn’t transfer with the vehicle
- Dayinsure drive away insurance can let you legally drive your new car home
- Cover can start in as little as 15 minutes, depending on eligibility
- You can choose cover from 1 hour up to 30 days
- Dayinsure policies provide fully comprehensive cover
- Short-term cover gives you time to arrange annual insurance later
You’ve found the right car. You’ve agreed the price with a private seller. The keys are in your hand and you’re ready to drive it home.
Before you set off, there’s one important thing to sort: insurance. In the UK, you can’t legally drive a car on public roads unless you’re insured to drive it. That applies even if you’ve only just bought the car and you’re only driving it home.
However, you don’t have to rush into a full annual policy the moment you’re handed the keys. Drive away insurance is a simple short-term option that can cover your new car for the journey home.
Do I need insurance to drive a privately bought car home?
Yes. You must have valid insurance before driving a privately bought car home, even if the journey is short. Driving without insurance is illegal and can lead to fines, penalty points or your car being seized.
It doesn’t matter that you’ve just bought the car. As soon as you drive it on a public road, you need insurance that covers that specific car.
This is why many buyers choose insurance to drive a car home after buying from a private seller. It gives you the cover you need for that first journey, without committing to a full annual policy straight away.
Do I need to tax the car before I drive it?
Yes. You must tax the car before you drive it on the road.
Vehicle tax is separate from insurance. Insurance covers you to drive, while tax is a legal requirement for using or keeping a car on public roads, unless it’s declared off the road with a SORN.
When you buy a used car, the tax doesn’t transfer from the previous owner. You’ll need to tax it yourself before driving away, usually using the green “new keeper” slip from the log book.
So, before you drive home, make sure both are in place:
- Valid insurance
- Valid vehicle tax
What is drive away insurance?
Drive away insurance is a type of temporary car insurance that can cover you to drive a newly purchased car home, without arranging annual cover straight away.
With Dayinsure, drive away insurance can be used when buying from a private seller or a dealership. It gives you fully comprehensive cover for a short period, from 1 hour up to 30 days.
Fully comprehensive means you’re covered for damage to your car, as well as damage you may cause to someone else’s car or property. It can also cover theft or loss, depending on the policy terms.
This makes drive away insurance a helpful option if you need temporary car insurance for a new purchase.
You can drive the car home, take your time and arrange your longer-term insurance when you’re ready.
Short-term insurance for new car buyers is built around flexibility. You choose the cover length that matches what you need.
Can I use drive away insurance when buying from a private seller?
Yes, you can use Dayinsure drive away insurance when buying from a private seller, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
The insurance requirement is the same whether you buy from a dealer, a friend or a private seller. Once you own the car and want to drive it, you need valid insurance in place.
Private sales can feel more hands-on, with no dealership support. Short-term cover can help you arrange insurance quickly so you can drive home legally.
How quickly can I get drive away insurance?
With Dayinsure, drive away insurance can usually start in as little as 15 minutes after you apply.
You can arrange it in advance or even on the day you buy the car. That makes it useful for real-life private sale situations. For example, you might view a car in the morning, agree to buy it and need cover for the journey home that afternoon.
Hourly car insurance can also help if you only need cover for a very short trip.
How long does drive away insurance last?
Dayinsure drive away insurance is flexible. You can choose cover from 1 hour up to 30 days, depending on what you need.
People often use drive away insurance when:
- they’ve just bought a car and need to drive it home
- they want extra time to compare annual insurance quotes
- they’re arranging paperwork before choosing a longer-term policy
- they only need temporary cover for a short period
The key point is simple. You only pay for the time you need, without committing to an annual policy straight away.
What does Dayinsure drive away insurance cover?
Dayinsure drive away insurance provides fully comprehensive cover.
That means you’re protected for more than just damage you cause to other people. Fully comprehensive cover can include:
- Damage to your car
- Damage to another person’s car or property
- Theft or loss
- Claims where you’re at fault
This can be reassuring when driving a car you’re not yet familiar with, especially on your first journey home. You may be taking a new route home, getting used to the car’s controls and listening out for anything that feels different.
Drive away cover gives you protection for that first journey and for the full policy period you choose. It’s a practical way to feel more in control while you get used to your new car.
Dayinsure also offers flexible short-term cover for other situations, like borrowing a car or sharing driving.
What do I need to get drive away insurance?
To get drive away insurance online, you’ll usually need a few key details.
These include:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your date of birth
- Your driving licence number
- The vehicle registration number
- Payment details
The vehicle registration number is the number plate. This helps the insurer identify the car you want to cover.
Dayinsure’s online process is designed to be quick and straightforward. You enter your details, choose when cover starts, pick how long you need it for and pay by card.
Eligibility depends on several factors including your age, licence, driving history and the car you want to insure.
How much does drive away insurance cost?
Dayinsure drive away insurance can start from around £19 per day for one-day cover, subject to underwriting.
This means the insurer checks your details before confirming the final price.
The cost can depend on:
- The length of cover
- The car you’re insuring
- Your driving history
- Your age and licence details
The main benefit is that you only pay for the time you need. If you only need cover for the drive home, you may not need a longer policy. If you want more breathing space, you can choose a longer short-term policy.
The cost of temporary car insurance can vary, so it’s always best to get a quote based on your exact details.
What happens after you get home?
Once you’re home, you can use the time covered by your drive away policy to decide what happens next.
You might want to:
- Compare annual insurance quotes
- Update your documents
- Check the car’s service history
- Arrange any repairs
- Decide how often you’ll use the car
This is one of the main benefits of drive away insurance. It gives you flexibility and control.
You don’t have to rush into annual cover while standing with the seller. You can get home safely, think clearly and choose the longer-term policy that suits you.
If you need cover for work journeys later, temporary business car insurance will allow you to drive for work purposes without disrupting your business as you adjust to your new car.
Ready to drive home? Here’s the simple way to get covered
Buying a car privately is exciting, but there are two things to sort before you drive home: insurance and tax.
You must be insured to drive the car. You must also tax it before using it on the road. Once those are in place, you can enjoy the first journey in your new car with more confidence.
Drive away insurance makes that step simple. It gives you flexible, fully comprehensive cover from 1 hour to 30 days, so you can drive home legally without rushing into an annual policy.
Get a drive away insurance quote in minutes and choose cover that fits your collection plans.
Common questions about drive away insurance and private car purchases
Can I drive a car home after buying it privately?
Yes, but only if the car is both insured and taxed before you drive it. Insurance allows you to drive the vehicle, while tax is a separate legal requirement. Both must be in place before you use the car on public roads.
Can I get insurance on the same day I buy a car?
Yes, you can arrange Dayinsure drive away insurance on the same day you buy a car. In many cases, cover can start in as little as 15 minutes, depending on your application and chosen start time, so you can drive home without delay.
Is drive away insurance the same as temporary car insurance?
Yes, drive away insurance is a type of temporary car insurance. With Dayinsure, it provides short-term, fully comprehensive cover for a newly purchased car, helping you drive it home and giving you time to arrange longer-term insurance if needed.
Can someone else drive my new car home for me?
Yes, someone else can drive your new car home, but only if they have valid insurance that covers that specific vehicle. They should check their policy carefully before driving, as not all insurance automatically includes cover for other cars.
Do I need annual insurance before I drive the car home?
No, you don’t need to arrange annual insurance before driving the car home. Dayinsure drive away insurance can provide short-term cover for the journey, as long as the car is also taxed and you meet the eligibility criteria.
Can I arrange drive away insurance in advance?
Yes, you can arrange Dayinsure drive away insurance in advance and choose a future start date. This means your cover can begin at the time you plan to collect the car, helping you stay organised and avoid last-minute arrangements.
What happens if I drive without insurance?
Driving without insurance is illegal in the UK. You could face fines, penalty points or have your vehicle seized. It’s important to arrange valid insurance before driving, even if you’ve just bought the car and only plan to drive it home.
