Test drive insurance

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What is test drive insurance and why do you need it?

Test drive insurance is temporary car insurance, which gives you short-term cover to test drive or collect a car. 

You need valid insurance before driving a vehicle on UK roads – even if you're only taking it for a short test drive. 

The good news is that you can take out temporary insurance for an hour, a day, or longer. It gives you time to test drive the car before committing to buy it and helps protect you in case of an accident or damage during the test drive.

Check your policy terms to be sure of what’s covered.

Stock image of a woman sat in a car whilst a man in a tie explains the steering wheel controls

When do I need test drive insurance?

Here are some common situations where you may need to arrange cover before getting behind the wheel.

You're buying from a private seller, friend or relative

If you're looking to buy a car privately, check if your existing policy lets you test drive it. If not, the seller’s insurance might cover you, although this is rare - you’ll need to ask them to be sure. 

Otherwise, temporary car insurance could be an option.

You're test driving a car from a dealership

Most dealerships have their own insurance that lets customers test drive their cars, but this isn't guaranteed. Always check before getting behind the wheel. 

If you’re buying a car from a dealership, you’ll need your own insurance to take it home. 

You're relying on driving other cars cover (DOC)

Most comprehensive car insurance policies don’t include driving other cars (DOC) cover.

If it is included, DOC cover often comes with restrictions and may only offer third-party protection.

Test drive insurance: private seller vs dealership

Whether you need to arrange your own cover depends on who you're buying the vehicle from and what insurance is already in place.

Private seller

Dealership

Do I need insurance?

Yes

Yes

Who usually provides the insurance?

You'll need your own cover if the seller’s policy doesn’t cover you

The dealership often covers test drives through its motor trade insurance. You’ll need your own insurance to take the car home.

Can I assume I'm covered?

No – always check before driving

No – always check before driving

Do I need to check my existing policy?

Yes – some policies may include DOC cover, but restrictions often apply

Not usually, if the dealership has confirmed you're covered

What documents might I need?

Driving licence and proof of insurance

Driving licence

Bear in mind

It’s illegal to test drive a car without insurance. If you have an accident on your test drive, you’ll be liable for any damages, and you could get a £300 fixed penalty as well as six points on your licence.

If your case goes to court, you could get an unlimited fine and be banned from driving.

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What does temporary car insurance cover during a test drive?

Temporary insurance is usually comprehensive, but the exact cover, exclusions and optional extras can vary by insurer.

Temporary insurance typically covers:

  • Comprehensive cover for accidental damage to the car you’re test driving

  • Fire and theft cover while the temporary policy is active

  • Third-party liability if you injure someone or damage another person’s vehicle or property

  • Flexible cover for the agreed policy period, which could be from one hour to 28 days

  • Some policies may include extras such as breakdown, windscreen, legal assistance or lost key cover as standard. 

Temporary car insurance doesn't typically cover:

  • Wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns or existing faults with the car

  • Driving outside the use, driver, location or time limits shown on the policy

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

How to get insurance for a test drive

If an existing policy doesn’t cover you to test drive a car or take it home once you’ve bought it, you can find temporary car insurance through us in minutes.

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Choose your cover length

You can get temporary car insurance through us from just one hour up to 28 days.

If you find you need more time once you’ve taken out a policy, you may be able to extend it through the insurer.

Tell us about you and your car

We’ll need to know your details, such as your name and driving history, and the car you want to insure. 

It’s important to give accurate information, including any previous claims or convictions. False or missing details could invalidate your cover.

Compare, pay and test drive

We’ll show you tailored temporary car insurance quotes in minutes, starting with the cheapest. You can check the excess, features, exclusions and limits at this point.

Then, choose your ideal policy, pay, and hit the road once you have your policy documents. Simples.

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Quick tip

If you’re test driving a car from a private seller, check the information they’ve given you matches the DVLA’s records. You can look up details such as vehicle tax and MOT status, and last log book (V5C) issue date.

Sam Wilson

What our expert says...

“Test driving a few privately advertised cars in one day? Temporary policies are usually tied to one specific vehicle, so you’ll likely need separate cover for each one.

“It’s also worth looking at the excess before you pick up the keys. If anything goes wrong on your test drive or way home, that’s the amount you’d pay first, and it could outweigh the cost of the temporary policy.”

Sam Wilson, Insurance expert

Test drive checklist: what to check and ask

Before you set off

  • If possible, start the car from cold and listen for any unusual noises.

  • Ask the salesperson or private seller to show you how the car’s key features and controls work.

  • Test the lights, windows, central locking, indicators, wipers, infotainment system and other electrics.

  • Is there air conditioning and, more importantly, does it work?

  • If you’re getting a used car, find out how many previous owners it has.

  • Check whether it has a valid MOT and full service history. Ask to see any paperwork, such as repair bills, to spot potential issues.

  • Ask how the car normally handles and performs.

While driving

  • Make sure the car pulls away smoothly, with no clutch slip or excessive exhaust smoke.

  • Make sure the brakes work efficiently and aren’t spongy.

  • Make sure gear changes are smooth and listen out for unusual noises.

  • Check the car handles well and doesn’t pull to one side.

  • Look out for a bumpy ride or noises when driving over uneven surfaces which could suggest suspension issues.

After the drive

  • See if you can have the vehicle checked by a mechanic (you’ll likely have to pay extra for this).

  • Talk over any concerns or observations from the drive with the salesperson or private seller – this could lead to negotiating a better deal. 

  • Most importantly, give yourself time to think it over before making a decision.

Bear in mind

If a seller won't let you test drive or inspect the car, it could be a warning sign. Ask why before making a decision.

If something seems off, it might be best to keep shopping around.

Planning your test drive

What roads should I drive on?

  • Try to test the car in a range of conditions, including:

    • Local roads to assess comfort and visibility 

    • Dual carriageways or motorways to check performance at higher speeds 

    • Junctions and stop-start traffic to see how the car responds 

    • Parking and reversing

How long should I test drive?

    • Aim for at least 30 minutes to get a feel for the car but take as long as you need.

    • An hour gives you more time to test different road types and driving conditions.

    • Some dealerships offer extended test drives from 24 hours up to seven days on certain makes and models.

What should I look out for when test driving an electric car?

When you’re preparing to test drive an electric car, there are a few key things to keep in mind to make sure it’s right for you:

Location pin icon

Range

Test the car on different road types to get a feel for its real-world range

Pound sign in circle icon

Energy use

Keep an eye on how the car uses its battery to get an idea of future running costs

Car battery icon

Battery health and charging

Ask about battery health, warranty cover, availability of nearby charging stations and, on some older leased models, whether the battery is owned or leased

Car with tick icon

Comfort and practicality

Make sure the space, climate control, technology and driving position suit your needs

More on temporary cover

From insuring a car you don't own to choosing the right cover type, here's what to check before you take the wheel

Row of houses with cars
Borrowing & sharing
Insuring a car you don't own
Check how the process works so you're covered to borrow a car
Borrowing & sharing
Driving someone else’s car
Learn how insurance works when driving a family member's car
Policy & cover
Types of car insurance explained
Get the basics on cover options, inclusions and exclusions
Car ownership
Buying a used car: what to check
Important questions to ask about the car's condition and documentation
All temporary car insurance guides

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Check your car's insurance group and how it could affect your premium

FAQs

What should I consider before buying a car?

Before making a decision on buying a car, consider the following factors to ensure it meets your needs: 

  • Family needs: if you have a young family, check if the car can accommodate all necessary car seats and if there's enough space for a buggy and shopping. 

  • Space and comfort: consider the headspace and legroom for taller passengers. 

  • Technology and connectivity: make sure there are enough USB ports for charging gadgets, which can be crucial for long journeys. 

  • Pet-friendly features: if you have a dog, assess how easy it would be for it to get in and out of the car. 

  • Lifestyle suitability: think about how the car fits into your daily routine and whether it can handle your typical driving patterns. 

  • Insurance and running costs: make sure these fit your budget. 

How old do I have to be to test drive a car?

Although you can hold a full UK driving licence from age 17, many dealerships need drivers to be at least 18 to take a test drive.

Age restrictions can vary between dealers and may be higher for unaccompanied, 24-hour or 48-hour test drives, so it's worth checking before you book.

Can I test drive a car alone?

It varies between dealerships. Some will send a salesperson out with you; others will let you test drive a car alone. You may need to meet some further criteria for this.

If you’re buying a car privately, the seller may want to join you on the test drive for safety reasons. 

Do I need to test drive a used car?

Yes. It’s arguably even more important to test drive a used car than a new car. It may have more issues than a new car, especially if it’s older.

If the seller refuses to let you test drive it, it could be a sign that something’s wrong. 

Always make sure you have the right car insurance before test driving. 

Sam Wilson
Reviewed 10 Nov 2026 bySam WilsonInsurance expert

Sam Wilson is Head of Commercial Finance at Compare the Market and one of our core insurance experts on motor, home, van, motorbike and pet insurance products.

With over seven years at Compare the Market, Sam has a detailed understanding of how customers shop for insurance, what drives differences in premiums, and how small changes — such as shopping around at renewal or reviewing cover — can make a meaningful difference to what people pay.

Sam regularly comments in national and trade media on insurance costs, value for money and consumer savings, helping people understand how to get a good deal without focusing on price alone.

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1 Based on Trustpilot ratings (October 2026).