60-second summary
A quick lowdown on the rules for driving someone else’s car:
Having comprehensive insurance doesn’t automatically cover you for driving other cars (DOC).
Even if your policy does include DOC, there may be restrictions and you’re likely to only have third-party cover.
If you want to drive someone else’s car regularly, you can be added to their policy as a named driver.
If you want to drive someone else’s car occasionally, you can get temporary car insurance.
Always check to make sure you’re insured before you get behind the wheel of someone else’s car.
Can I drive someone else’s car with my insurance?
It’s unlikely that you can drive someone else’s car with your insurance.
Driving other cars (known as DOC) used to be a standard feature of comprehensive car insurance policies. It gave the policyholder third-party only cover to drive someone else’s car with their permission.
However, times have changed, and DOC isn’t usually included in most car insurance policies.
As always, if you’re unsure about what your policy does or doesn’t cover, check your certificate of insurance. It will state whether you have DOC cover. Alternatively, contact your insurance provider directly.
Can a named driver drive another car?
If someone is listed as a named driver on the main policyholder’s car insurance, then they can drive that car.
But being a named driver on one policy doesn’t mean you can get behind the wheel of any car.
What level of cover will I have if I’m insured to drive any car?
If your policy does cover you to drive other cars, it will generally be on a third-party only basis. This will be shown on your certificate of insurance.
That means if you’re involved in an accident with another car and you’re at fault, any damage to the car you’re driving won’t be covered. Nor will you be covered if that car is stolen or damaged by fire.
It’s possible to have a higher level of DOC cover, but if that applies to you then it will be clearly stated in your policy documents.
Where DOC cover is available, it’s typically only for drivers aged 25 and over. Those under 25 are considered to be too high a risk to be offered DOC.
It’s also unlikely you’ll be offered DOC cover if you have criminal convictions or you’ve made a claim on your car insurance policy.
How can I get cover for driving another car?
If you don’t have cover and want to drive someone else’s car, there are steps you can take to make sure you’re properly insured. These include:
Getting your name added to their policy
If you need to drive someone else’s car every now and then – say, a family member’s car – you could add your name to their policy. This will give you the same level of cover as the main driver.
Be aware that the main driver on a policy must be the person who drives the car most of the time. As a named driver, you should only be using the car occasionally.
Watch out for fronting, where a more experienced driver insures a car in their name, but a younger driver actually uses the car the most. This is illegal and could invalidate a car insurance policy.
And be aware that if you’re added as a named driver, you probably won’t be able to build up a no-claims bonus on that policy.
Getting short-term insurance
A short-term or temporary car insurance policy provides cover from one hour up to 28 days. It’s a good solution if you need to borrow someone else’s car for a few days. It could also be worth considering if, for example, a son or daughter is back from university for the holidays and needs to use the family car.
Can I drive my partner’s car?
Unless your policy states otherwise, you’ll only be able to drive your partner’s car if they’ve added you as a named driver. Or you have a family or any-driver car insurance policy.
Can I get insurance for anyone to drive my car?
An any-driver insurance policy allows anyone to drive your car at any time, provided they have your permission.
This type of car insurance is unusual, as most people only have one (or a few) named drivers added to their policy.
If anyone is covered to drive your car, your insurance provider can’t be sure who’s driving, or know their driving experience or history. This makes it tricky to almost impossible to calculate the risk of a claim. As a result, any-driver policies are often eye-wateringly expensive.
What happens if I drive without insurance?
The penalties for driving without insurance are severe, so never assume you have DOC cover. If you’re caught driving without insurance, you could:
Get a £300 fine and six penalty points
Get an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving if the case goes to court.
How can I compare insurance for my car?
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ll compare a variety of car insurance providers to help you search for a deal that suits you, at a price you can afford.
FAQs
What is a named driver?
A named driver, also known as an additional driver, is the term used for any other people who are insured to drive your car. By adding them to your policy, you’ll be able to share your car with another person. This is particularly useful for couples or those with family members who are learning to drive.
Can I get insurance for my family?
Yes, there are a couple of options for family car insurance. You can add family members as named drivers on your car, and vice versa.
If your household has more than one car, you could take out a multi-car insurance policy. Many providers offer a discount for insuring two or more cars under one policy, so it might help you save money.
Compare the Market doesn’t yet offer a comparison service for multi-car insurance.
How does my occupation affect which cars I can drive?
Some policies won’t provide DOC cover for people in occupations considered high risk.
Your job title is one of the factors providers consider when pricing up quotes for car insurance.
Can I drive someone else’s car in an emergency?
You can only drive someone else’s car in an emergency if you’re a named driver or you have DOC cover on your own policy.
If you’re in a situation that requires immediate action, it’s best to call the emergency services for help.
Julie is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and rewarding people for saving on their insurance through our loyalty and rewards programme. She’s spoken to the media, including outlets like Sky News, about car and home insurance, as well as our Meerkat rewards scheme.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by AI. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
