Learner driver insurance

Learner drivers have higher premiums because they’re considered riskier to insure. They tend to be involved in more accidents than older and more experienced drivers.

Learner driver insurance lasts until the moment you pass your test or need to renew your policy.

Once you’ve passed your driving test, you’ll need to cancel your provisional insurance and take out a new policy as a qualified driver.

As a learner driver, you’ll have a provisional driving licence, which carries some restrictions. These include:

• Not driving without supervision. The accompanying driver must be over 21, fit to drive and have held a licence for at least three years

• Not driving on motorways. Unless you’re with an approved instructor and the car is fitted with dual controls

• Not driving without L plates. By law, L plates must be displayed at the front and back of the vehicle whenever you’re driving.

Yes, adding a learner driver to your policy could push up the price of your premium. This is because learners are seen as a greater risk by insurance providers.

Yes, learner driver insurance should count towards a no-claims discount (NCD) if you don’t make a claim. But you’ll need to check with your provider to make sure.

A no-claims discount can make your insurance cheaper when you renew . Drivers with 1-3 years NCD typically pay less than £822 for comprehensive car insurance, while those without NCD typically pay less than £1,611⁴.

It’s unlikely you’ll qualify for learner insurance if you need to retake your test because of a conviction or ban. You’ll need to get a specialist policy for convicted drivers.

Yes, more than one learner driver can be insured on the same car. But they’ll need to have separate insurance policies.

Yes, you can get learner driver insurance for more than one vehicle. But you’ll need a separate policy for each car you drive.

Having access to another car could make your insurance cheaper. If you’re insured to drive a second car, perhaps as a named driver on your parents’ insurance, you’ll typically pay £275 less for car insurance versus only insuring your own car⁶.

Yes, some 16-year-olds can get car insurance, but we only compare quotes for drivers aged 17 and above.

You can legally drive a car when you’re 16 if you receive the higher rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for mobility. If you have a car provided by the Motability Scheme, insurance comes as part of the package.

Extra cover you might want as a learner driver includes:

• Personal accident cover – could pay out if you or a passenger are injured or killed in an accident.

• Motor legal protection – helps cover the costs of legal fees you might face as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault.

• Breakdown cover – roadside assistance to get you back on the road as soon as possible.