A guide to learner driver insurance

Planning on a bit of driving practice with some informal lessons from a friend or family member? It pays to have the peace of mind of a robust car policy from a reliable insurer. 

But what are the different insurance options available to learner drivers? And how can you make sure you choose the right policy? We’ll answer your questions about learning to drive.

You probably don’t have your own car yet, so you’re probably using a friend’s or family member’s. Either way, you’ll need to become a named driver on their policy.

Your loved one could formally add you to their existing car insurance policy, covering you for any mishaps or bumps in the road while you’re still learning with them. Just bear in mind, this isn’t always cheap and an accident could cause your friend or relative to lose their no claim discount.

It goes without saying that qualified instructors are allowed to accompany learner drivers during formal lessons. But you’ll need to keep certain rules in mind when receiving learner driver supervision from a friend, parent, or another relative.

Your supervisor will need to:

• be at least 21 years old
• have had their full driving licence for 3 years or more
• be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you’re learning in (e.g. if they’re supervising you in a manual car, they’ll need a manual licence)

It’s important not to rush any decisions when it comes to learner driver insurance. Your choice of supervisor and the car you plan to use are some of the main factors to consider.

Follow these steps to make sure you get the right policy for you:

• Decide on a supervisor. Professional lessons from a qualified instructor generally don’t require you to take out insurance. But you’ll need to do some homework if you’re having informal sessions with someone you know.
• Choose a car to learn in. You’ll need to research a full car insurance policy if you plan to use your own vehicle. Other learner driver insurance options are available when using someone else’s car. These include buying a specific learner policy and getting added to a loved one’s existing insurance as a named driver.
• Shop around. Searching for a policy isn’t just about comparing learner driver insurance costs. Instead, look for a deal that combines good value with a suitable policy length and a good level of coverage.
• Watch out for any restrictions. Make sure your supervisor meets any age and licence restrictions advertised with a policy.

Under provisional licence driving rules, learners must have a recognised form of car insurance when using the roads. This applies whether you’re taking professional lessons, receiving learner driver supervision in a friend or parent’s car, or using your own vehicle.

Insurance may be one of the biggest costs when learning to drive but it’s there to protect you and other road users, financially, if you’re involved in an accident. And it’s not just a good idea – the rules are strictly enforced – you could end up with a driving ban, an unlimited fine and up to 8 penalty points for driving without insurance.