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Learner driver insurance

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^[1]Correct as of July 2026

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Jump to Cost of learner driver insurance Learner driver insurance options How to get cheaper learner driver insurance Insurance options after you pass your test

Do learner drivers need insurance?

Yes, you must have a minimum of third-party car insurance in place to drive on public roads in the UK.

If you’re learning in your own car or in a friend or family member’s car, you’ll need to arrange your own cover. This could mean being added as a named driver to their existing policy or buying your own learner driver car insurance.

But, if you’re learning with a driving instructor in their car, they’ll usually have driving instructor car insurance, which will cover you as well. The cost of this is usually worked into the price of your lessons.

Driving without insurance is illegal, and if you’re caught driving without insurance as a learner, you could get:

An unlimited fine
A driving ban
Up to 8 penalty points on your licence

How much does learner driver insurance cost?

The average cost of car insurance for learner drivers was £738^[1]. However, the price you pay will depend on various factors, including:

Your age

Typically, the younger you are, the more your car insurance will cost. However, our data shows that learner driver insurance can actually be cheaper for the youngest drivers.

Insurers assume that provisional licence holders will drive less than those who hold a full licence. Learner drivers must also be accompanied by a qualified driver at all times, which can reduce the risk of accidents.

Age group	Average cost of learner driver insurance^[2]
17-20	£252.02
21-24	£956.90
25-34	£1,012.11
35-49	£843.50
50-59	£782
60-69	£647
70+	£551.67

Level of cover

Many drivers assume that third-party insurance is the cheapest option because it offers the least cover. However, historically, insurers have seen higher-risk drivers opt for third-party cover as a way to save money, so this isn’t usually the case anymore:

Level of cover	Average cost of learner driver insurance^[2]
Third-party only	£1,130.04
Third-party, fire and theft	£839.16
Fully comprehensive	£701.19

Car make and model

The more expensive or powerful your car is, the more it will typically cost to insure. In general, cars in lower insurance groups are cheaper for learner drivers to be insured on because they’re lower value and tend to be less powerful.

For example, learner driver insurance for a Volkswagen Polo could cost £270, compared to £738 for a Toyota Yaris or £452 for a Ford Fiesta^[3].

Payment type

When you buy car insurance, you can choose to pay the premium in one go or split it out into monthly payments.

Smaller monthly payments can be easier to manage, but you can end up paying more overall. This is because insurers add interest to the cost. For learner drivers, car insurance could cost £559 if you choose to pay annually compared to £769 if you opt for monthly payments^[4]. That’s a 38% increase on average.

Location

Insurers use your location to assess your risk level against things like local crime rates and accident numbers. In general, car insurance is more expensive when you live in busy cities, or towns with higher crime rates, compared to smaller, more rural regions.

County	Average cost of learner driver insurance^[2]
Aberdeenshire, Scotland	£493.50
South Glamorgan, Wales	£771.24
Greater London, England	£1,115.28
County Antrim, Northern Ireland	£1,444.14

What are my options for learner driver insurance?

When you’re learning to drive, you have a few options on how you choose to be insured. The one that suits you best is the one that meets your needs for practising, and whether or not you own a car or are practising in someone else’s.

Annual car insurance for learner drivers

If you have your own car, you’ll need annual car insurance. It can be a good option if you intend to practice regularly over several months while you’re learning. This is also often the cheaper option compared to taking out temporary policies when you need cover.

You have a few options for annual car insurance:

Third-party only

Third-party insurance is the legal minimum you need to drive on UK public roads.

It covers damage to other people’s cars and property.
It also covers injuries to others.

It won’t cover you or your car if you’re involved in an accident that was your fault.

Third-party, fire and theft

Third-party, fire and theft is the next level up for car insurance.

It covers the same things that third-party only insurance covers.
It also adds cover for your own car if it’s stolen or damaged by fire.

It won’t cover accidental damage to your car or injuries you receive.

Fully comprehensive

Comprehensive car insurance is the highest level of car insurance.

It covers everything that third-party, fire and theft covers.
It also covers accidental damage to your vehicle and injuries to you.
You can enhance your policy with add-ons, like windscreen cover or personal possessions cover.

One of the benefits of taking out your own annual car insurance policy is that you can start building your no-claims bonus (NCB) straight away. You will need to hold the policy for a full year to qualify for a year of NCB, but it can help reduce your car insurance premiums.

For example, for a new driver with a full licence and no NCB, car insurance could cost £2,021, compared to £1,244 for a new driver with just 1 year of NCB^[5].

Temporary learner driver insurance

Temporary car insurance can be a good option if you intend to learn in someone else’s car. It provides a flexible option, offering cover from 1 hour to 28 days, so you can practice when you want without being tied to a 12-month policy.

Allows you to choose how long you’re insured for. You can choose how long your policy lasts, which can be ideal if you’re coming up to your test and only need insurance for a week or so, or if you only think you’ll practice occasionally.
Doesn’t tie you to a 12-month policy, like an annual policy would, which can be ideal if you don’t have a car yet, don’t think you’ll need a full year’s practice before you take your test, or want cover for that final short burst of practice before you take your test.
Counts as a standalone policy, so if you’re learning in someone else’s car, you won’t impact their insurance if you’re involved in an accident.
Gives you full comprehensive cover, protecting both you and your car, plus that of a third-party, if you’re involved in an incident.

A tip from our car insurance expert, Matt:

It’s important to know that temporary car insurance probably isn’t the best option if you own a car. This is because it’s illegal for a car to be uninsured in the UK unless you’ve declared it as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice). In this case, you’ll need to make sure your car is taxed and insured properly before driving it on public roads again.

Be a named driver

If you’re learning in someone else’s car, you can be added to their existing insurance policy as a named driver. For example, a parent adding their child to their policy to allow them to practice driving occasionally.

This can sometimes work out cheaper than taking out your own policy, but there are a few things to watch out for:

You won’t be the main policyholder, so you shouldn’t be the person who drives the car the most. This is known as fronting, which is where you mislead your insurance company on who does the majority of the driving to bring down costs. This is a form of insurance fraud and is illegal.
You won’t build up a no-claims bonus. As an NCB can help bring down your insurance costs, this can be a major drawback of being a named driver, especially for younger drivers.
The price of the policy could increase. Adding a learner as a named driver can increase the overall cost of the main policyholder’s insurance. If you’re involved in an accident and need to make a claim, it can also impact the policyholder’s NCB.

Pay-as-you-go insurance

Pay-as-you-go insurance, or pay-per-mile insurance, is a 12-month policy where you pay based on your mileage.

This can be a useful option for learners who aren’t driving many miles but want more cost-effective cover than taking out temporary policies when they need cover.

With pay-per-mile insurance, you’ll be given a telematics device or an app to download to your phone that monitors how much you drive. You’ll then be charged a pre-agreed rate for the number of miles you’ve driven each month.

It doesn’t monitor how safely you drive, like regular black box car insurance. So, you don’t have to worry about those small mistakes you make when you’re learning impacting your renewal prices.

What are the rules for learner driver insurance?

There are some things to be aware of before you hit the road.

Driver requirements:

You must be supervised at all times. It’s illegal for learners to drive without supervision. The person supervising you must be at least 21-years-old, and have held a full driving licence for at least 3 years.
You can’t drive on motorways without an instructor. To practise driving on motorways, you must be supervised by an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in a dual-control car.
You must have a valid provisional driving licence. It must be in-date and reflect your current details.
You must be a permanent UK resident. Learner car insurance policies also typically cover people between the ages of 17 and 35 years old.
No motoring offences or convictions. Learner driver insurance won’t cover you if you have any prior motoring offences, convictions or penalty points.

Vehicle requirements:

Your car must have a valid MOT. It’s illegal to drive without a valid MOT. The only exception to this rule is if you’re driving your car to a pre-arranged MOT appointment.
Your car must be taxed. You can check the tax status of your car using our helpful tool. If it isn’t taxed, you can tax your car online.
Your car can’t have any modifications. Learner driver insurance won’t cover your car if it has any modifications. It also usually can’t be worth more than around £40,000.

What does learner driver insurance cover?

Exactly what’s covered will depend on your policy and the level of cover you choose. Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically included at each level:

Policy feature	Third-party insurance	Third-party, fire and theft	Comprehensive
Injuries to other people	Included	Included	Included
Damage to others’ property	Included	Included	Included
Fire damage to your car	Not included	Included	Included
Theft of your car	Not included	Included	Included
Accidental damage to your car	Not included	Not included	Included
A payout if your car is written off	Not included	Not included	Included
Driving abroad cover	Included	Included, but cover is usually limited to third-party	Included, but cover is usually limited to third-party
Windscreen cover	Not included	Optional extra	Sometimes
Courtesy car	Not included	Optional extra	Sometimes
Personal possessions	Not included	Not included	Sometimes

How do I compare learner driver car insurance with Confused.com?

We compare car insurance from up to 201 insurance companies¹ to help find you our best deals. Compare learner car insurance in 3 simple steps:

Tell us about yourself

We need to know a few details, including your age, address, and driving history. We’ll also need some information about your car, including the make and model.

Choose your cover level

You can choose from TPO, TPFT, or fully comprehensive insurance. You can also choose from a range of optional extras like windscreen cover or motor legal protection.

Compare policies

Compare the policy details and prices we show you to find the car insurance that best suits you. And don’t forget to claim your £20 reward** when you buy car insurance!

^[1]Correct as of July 2026

How can I get cheaper provisional insurance?

Try black box insurance

Telematics car insurance policies use an app or device installed in your car to monitor your driving.

If you’re a safe, responsible driver, this will be shown in the data your device collects, and you could be offered cheaper insurance as a result.

Consider different types of insurance

Pay-per-mile car insurance could be a cheaper alternative to taking out standard annual cover if you only intend to practice occasionally. Or, if you’re not practising in your own car, opting for temporary insurance when you need it, rather than being added as a named driver to an existing policy, can help you only pay for the cover you need.

Increase your voluntary excess

This is the amount you agree to pay towards any claims you make, along with any compulsory excess set by your insurer. Increasing your voluntary excess can sometimes help bring down the cost of your car insurance. Just make sure it’s set at a price you could afford if needed. The most popular excess among Confused.com customers is £250^[6].

Choose your car carefully

Opting for a car in a lower insurance group can help you save money. These cars tend to be less valuable and less powerful, making them less risky for insurers to cover. To check what insurance group a car is in, you can use our car insurance group checker.

Compare quotes and shop around

One of the easiest ways to find a better deal on your learner driver insurance is to compare quotes. When you compare with Confused.com, we’ll show you quotes from up to 201 leading car insurance companies*. Shopping around could save you up to £1,154^[7].

Group travel insurance icon black on white background

Be included as a named driver

If you don’t own a car, but you think you’ll want to practise regularly, it can be cheaper to be added as a named driver to someone else’s policy. This allows you to drive their car occasionally and can be cheaper than taking out a full annual car insurance policy.

What optional extras can I add to my learner driver car insurance?

When you compare quotes, we’ll ask you if you want to add any additional cover to your policy. These come at an added cost but can ensure your cover provides the protection you’re looking for.

They’re typically only available for annual car insurance policies.

Some of the most popular optional add-ons include:

Breakdown cover

Breakdown cover can get you back on the road if your car breaks down.
You can choose from different levels of cover, including roadside assistance, home start, and onward journey.

Personal accident cover

Personal accident cover can provide compensation if you suffer a severe injury in a road accident, even if you’re at fault.
It can also pay a lump sum if you die in a car accident.

Windscreen cover

Windscreen cover can pay for repair or replacement of your car’s windows and mirrors if they’re damaged.
Some comprehensive policies include windscreen cover as standard, but not all do.

Legal expenses cover

Legal expenses cover can help you recover certain uninsured losses.
Depending on the policy, it can include the cost of a solicitor, medical treatment or travel costs.

Watch out for the jump in prices after you pass your test…

“You might assume that car insurance will cost more as a learner than it will once you’ve passed your test because you've proven that you can drive safely. But this typically isn’t the case. By law, learner drivers have to be accompanied by a qualified driver whenever they’re behind the wheel. You'll also probably spend less time driving as a learner. These factors can reduce the risk of accidents and claims on your insurance. Once you’ve passed your test, you can drive by yourself and are likely to cover more miles.

“As a result, you might see a big jump in your car insurance costs once you’ve passed your test. Our data shows that on average, comprehensive cover for learners is £738^[1], compared to £1,666 for those who’ve just passed their driving test^[9].

“There are ways you can save on your car insurance, though. Comparing quotes is a quick and easy way to find a better deal. Start comparing around 28 days^[8] before you want your policy to start to find the best deal.”

Matt Crole Rees Motor General Manager & Motor Insurance Expert

Does learner driver insurance cover me for my driving test?

You won't need to arrange additional insurance if you're taking your test in your driving instructor's car. But, if you want to take your test in your own car, learner driver insurance will cover you.

If you fail your test, your existing annual learner car insurance policy will continue to cover you while you continue practising and for any additional retakes of your test. If you have temporary learner insurance, you’ll need to make sure you take out a new temporary policy once your current one has timed out.

A tip from our van insurance expert, Matt:

If you pass your test - congratulations! But remember that your learner driver insurance won’t cover you once you pass. Before you hit the road, make sure you arrange appropriate insurance - either by updating your existing policy or taking out a new temporary policy.

What happens with my insurance after I pass my test?

Once you’ve passed your driving test, your learner driver's car insurance will no longer cover you. You’ll need to make sure you have the right cover in place before you hit the road. This means you won’t be able to drive home from the test centre, unless you arrange appropriate cover beforehand.

How you do this depends on the type of insurance you took out as a learner driver.

Annual car insurance

If you took out an annual car insurance policy as a learner, you’ll need to inform your insurer that you’ve now passed your test. As you now hold a full licence, you’ll likely be charged to update your policy from your provisional licence.

If you’re unhappy with the price your insurer quotes you to do this, you could cancel your policy and take out a new one with a different insurer. Just be aware that you might be charged a cancellation fee to do this.

Temporary policyholders

If you timed your temporary policy to end after your test, you have two options: Take out an annual policy as a full licence holder. Or, take out another temporary policy as a full licence holder until you’re ready to buy an annual one.

If you still have time left on your temporary learner policy, you’ll need to contact your insurer and tell them you’ve passed. If you don’t, you won’t be properly insured.

They might charge you a fee to change your policy to a full licence one.

Named drivers

If you were insured as a named driver on someone else’s policy and want to remain a named driver, the policyholder will need to contact the insurer and let them know you’ve passed your test. You’ll likely have to pay an additional fee to change your policy to a full licence one.

If you’re unhappy with the price your insurer quotes you to do this, you could ask to be removed from the policy. You’ll then have to take out your own policy.

Just be aware of any cancellation fees you may be charged to do this.

Learn more about changing your car insurance policy

Compare car insurance for learner drivers with a provisional licence

Get an annual quote

Get a short-term quote

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive on the motorway as a learner driver?

You’re allowed to drive on the motorway as a learner if you’re accompanied by an ADI in a dual-control car. This is one of the benefits of learning with a qualified instructor.

If you’re learning in your own car with a friend or family member, you won’t be able to practice driving on motorways.

Can I get learner driver insurance for a car I don't own?

Yes, you can be insured on a car that isn’t your own. If you want to practise driving in a friend's or family member’s car, you could be added to their existing policy as a named driver, or you could take out your own temporary learner insurance policy.

What age can you get learner driver insurance?

Most learner driver policies cover drivers between the ages of 17 and 35 years old.

It’s not impossible to get cover if you’re older than 35 - you likely won’t be covered by specialist learner policies, though. But, if you have a provisional licence, you can still get car insurance.

Can I build a no-claims bonus as a learner driver?

Yes, if you buy annual car insurance as a learner, you can start building a no-claims bonus.

The main benefit of this is that it can help lower your premiums when you pass your test.

You will need to be insured for an entire year to qualify for a no-claims bonus, so you’ll likely need to continue with your existing insurer after passing your test if it hasn’t yet been a full year.

What happens if I fail my driving test?

If you fail your driving test, your existing provisional car insurance will continue to cover you, so you can keep practising while you wait for your next test.

If you’ve bought temporary learner insurance and timed it so that it ends once you’ve done your test, you’ll need to buy a new policy before you can get back behind the wheel.

Do I need insurance to supervise a learner driver?

No, you don’t need to be insured yourself to supervise a learner. However, if you’re not insured, it means you can’t take over control of the car at any point.

You do, however, need to:

Have held a valid, full car driving licence for at least 3 years
Be at least 21 years old
Not be currently banned from driving

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Types of car insurance

New driver insurance

For those who are new to driving or hold a provisional licence.

Multi car insurance

Lets you insure one or more cars on the same policy.

Pay-as-you-go insurance

Lets you only pay for the miles you drive.

Car insurance for 17-year olds

Helps protect young drivers out on the road for the first time.

Temporary car insurance

Gives you cheap, short-term cover from 1 hour to 28 days for social and business use.

Methodology

^[1]Confused.com data, April - June 2026. The median cost of car insurance for drivers with a provisional licence was £737.50. Based on 281,510 quotes across all types of cover.
^[2]Confused.com data, April - June 2026. The median cost of car insurance for drivers with a provisional licence.
^[3]Confused.com data, April - June 2026. The median cost of comprehensive car insurance for a Volkswagen Polo Match was £270, for a Toyota Yaris TR was £737.50, and for a Ford Fiesta Zetec was £452. Prices are based on drivers with a provisional licence.
^[4]Confused.com data, April - June 2026. The median cost of car insurance for drivers with a provisional licence who chose one annual payment was £559, compared to £769.21 for those who chose monthly payments.
^[5]Confused.com data, April - June 2026. The median cost of car insurance for a driver who have held a full UK licence for 1 year was £2,020.86 with 0 years no-claims bonus, and £1,244.13 with 1 year no-claims bonus.
^[6]Based on Confused.com data, April - June 2026. The most popular excess level with car insurance customers was £250.
^[7]51% of car insurance customers under the age of 25 could save up to £1,153.60. Based on data provided by Consumer Intelligence Ltd, www.consumerintelligence.com (July ‘26).
^[8]Confused.com data, April - June 2026. The cheapest time to compare quotes was 28 days before policy inception.
^[9]Confused.com data, April - June 2026. The median cost of car insurance for drivers with a full UK manual licence held for 1 year was £1,665.47. Based on 499,279 quotes across all types of cover.

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Reviewed by Matt Crole Rees Motor General Manager & Motor Insurance Expert Updated on 02 October 2026

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