Most car insurance policies don’t cover you for driving someone else’s car. But, when it’s an emergency, there are other options out there. Here’s what you need to know.
Key takeaways:
- Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover isn’t usually included in car insurance. Unless it’s listed specifically, your policy probably doesn’t have it.
- Found a comprehensive policy that’s got DOC cover? Keep in mind you’ll usually only have third-party protection when you're driving the other car.
- Before you drive another car, it’s crucial you have the owner’s permission. Otherwise, you won’t be covered, and you could be driving uninsured.
- DOC cover can be hard to find - especially for drivers under 25. Even if you think you have it included in your policy, it’s worth checking your policy documents.
- We don’t ask about driving other cars when you get a quote, so check with your insurer.
What is Driving Other Cars (DOC) insurance?
Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover lets you drive a car you don’t own. It’s sometimes listed as a specific feature on comprehensive policies. But many insurers won’t include it automatically.
And, even if DOC insurance is listed in your car insurance policy terms, it’ll likely be subject to certain conditions.
To keep your DOC car insurance valid, you’ll typically need to get permission from the vehicle owner. And, when you’re driving their car, you’ll usually only be covered on a third-party basis - even if you have a fully comprehensive policy.
Theft and fire damage usually isn’t covered by DOC insurance, either. And, if you’re under 25, many insurers won’t offer DOC cover.
Am I insured to drive any car?
No, you're not automatically insured to drive any car - car insurance policies apply to the car itself. It's the policyholder that decides who's covered to drive the car.
Every car needs its own insurance policy, so you can't insure yourself to drive any car.
If you have DOC on your policy, you might be able to drive someone else's car in an emergency. But this doesn't entitle you to drive any car.
Comprehensive insurance is the highest level of cover you can get. So some drivers might think they can drive other cars on a comprehensive policy, but that isn’t automatically the case.
Does comprehensive car insurance cover driving any car?
No, having comprehensive cover doesn’t automatically mean you can drive other cars. Some insurance providers might offer DOC cover, but this is usually third-party only (TPO) cover.
This means you’re only covered for:
- Property damage
- Damage to another vehicle
- Injuring another driver, pedestrian or passenger
Third-party only doesn’t cover the vehicle you’re driving or medical costs if you’re injured.
Before you drive someone else's car, speak to your insurer and find out whether your policy has DOC. Some may let you add or enhance DOC cover at an extra cost.
Does a third-party or third-party, fire and theft policy cover driving any cars?
DOC cover is usually only offered on comprehensive policies, so you’re unlikely to be covered to drive other cars on a TPO or third-party, fire and theft (TPFT) policy. Check your policy documents.
How does DOC cover work?
DOC lets you drive someone else’s car without being a named driver on their policy. If you have DOC cover, there are usually some restrictions. For example:
- Some insurers only allow DOC cover in an emergency or for occasional use. For example, if your friend or family member needs to be taken for urgent hospital treatment. Check your policy wording.
- DOC cover applies to the policyholder only. Named drivers aren't covered.
- You usually only have third-party cover while driving someone else's car. So if you're involved in an accident, any damage to the car you're driving isn't covered.
- The other car must have a valid insurance policy already. You can't drive an uninsured car, even with DOC insurance cover.
- You must have the owner's permission to drive the car.
How do I know if I have DOC cover?
You can find out if you have DOC cover on your certificate of motor insurance. If you don't have a paper copy, try logging into your account with your insurer.
You should find it under your 'policy documents' section. If you can't find your certificate of motor insurance, it might be listed under your last renewal letter.
Don’t assume you’re covered. Unless your certificate or policy documents say you can drive other cars, treat yourself as uninsured and check with your insurer first. This applies even if you have comprehensive insurance.
If you drive another car without insurance, you’re breaking the law and:
- You could get a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points if you’re caught by the police.
- You also risk an IN10 conviction. If the case goes to court, this can mean 6-8 points on your licence. The endorsement stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence. Insurers may ask about it for longer, so you’ll need to declare it when you get a quote.
- If you passed your test in the last 2 years, 6 points could mean losing your licence.
- If the case goes to court, you risk an unlimited fine and could be disqualified from driving.
- The police have the power to seize - and in some cases destroy - the uninsured vehicle.
If you let someone drive your car without insurance, that can also be an offence.
An IN10 conviction can increase the cost of your car insurance too. Among insurers that gave a quote, the average price for a policy with this conviction was £2,368*.
You might struggle to find an insurer if you have an IN10. Many don’t cover drivers with this conviction, as they’re considered to be too high risk.
If the car you want to drive isn’t insured, don’t drive it. The registered keeper must either insure it or make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
Can I add DOC cover to my policy?
That depends on the insurer. If you want to add or upgrade your DOC cover, call your insurer and ask what your options are.
We don't ask about driving other cars in our list of optional extras when you get a quote.
Some insurers ask you to meet requirements such as:
- You need to be 25 or over when the policy starts
- Your car insurance policy needs to be comprehensive
- The other car must have insurance already
- Your car must be in a driveable state and not written off
Your occupation isn’t in the motor trade, where you often drive other cars
What are the alternatives to DOC insurance?
If you don’t have DOC on your policy, you still have options if you need to drive someone else's car:
- Buy a temporary car insurance policy on the car you want to drive. If you need to drive the car in an emergency, you can get temporary cover that can start quickly. Check the start time, cover level and what’s excluded before you buy. Temporary cover isn’t available to everyone. Age, licence and car rules apply.
Ask the other policyholder to add you as a named driver. Cover is often similar to theirs, but check the policy terms.
"If you need to borrow a friend's car - even if it's for a few hours - make sure you're properly covered to drive. Driving other cars cover isn't as common as it used to be and usually only offers the bare minimum of cover. Before you use the car, make sure your certificate of motor insurance explicitly states that you can drive other cars and what restrictions are in place. "Short-term insurance may be a better option, as it can give you more protection. It’s worth comparing your options before you decide.”What our motor insurance expert says
How is DOC cover different from temporary car insurance?
DOC cover usually offers the lowest level of cover: third-party only (TPO). Temporary car insurance can give you comprehensive cover for another car for a short time. Policies from Tempcover last between 1 hour and 28 days, but the length of cover varies between providers. Check when your cover starts before you drive. A claim on a temporary policy shouldn’t affect the owner’s no-claims bonus, but check the policy terms.
Temporary car insurance could be a useful option in these scenarios:
- There's an emergency, and you need immediate cover to drive a friend or family member's car
- Your car is in the garage, and you need to borrow a car until yours is back on the road
- You’re a young driver who doesn’t have a car but can use a friend's or relative's car
- You’re moving house and need to borrow a larger car or van
You’re going on a road trip and borrowing a car, or you want to share the driving
Can someone else drive my car if they're not on my insurance?
Someone else can drive your car if they have one of the following:
- They have valid DOC cover of their own (usually third-party only, and your policy’s terms still apply)
- You've added them to your insurance policy as a named driver
- They've bought temporary insurance to drive your car
When you compare car insurance quotes with us, we'll ask you if you want to 'add another driver' to your policy. If you do, you need their:
- Personal details: Name, date of birth, marital status
- Occupation
- Type of driving licence and their driving licence number (optional)
- Relationship to the policyholder
We'll also ask you, "who will be the policyholder?" This should be the person who’s doing most of the driving.
Always name the person who does most of the driving as the main driver. Naming someone else just to get a cheaper price is called ‘fronting’. It’s a type of insurance fraud, and it could mean your policy is cancelled or a claim isn’t paid.
What's the most cost-effective way to let someone else drive my car?
It depends on how long they need to drive your car.
Adding a driver can make your premium go down or up, depending on who you add. Based on our data, comprehensive quotes were on average £237 cheaper* where an additional driver was added. This isn’t guaranteed, and your price could go up.
Adding a driver means you’ll both be covered to drive your car for the length of your policy.
If they only need your car for a day, the other driver can buy a 24-hour temporary car insurance policy from £29.50**. Prices depend on age, driving history and the car.
Compare both options before you decide.
*Confused.com data June to September 2026.
**Tempcover data June to September 2026.
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