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Learner driver insurance

Instant, comprehensive learner driver insurance.

UK

Get a price in under 60 seconds!

One hour to 90 days
Your own or someone else's car
Refunds for policies not started
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Why choose
Covertime?

  • Do everything online
  • Comprehensive cover
  • Protect existing No Claims Discount
  • Get on the road in minutes
  • Insure only for the time you need
  • Docs available right after purchase
  • Cover from one hour to 28 days
  • Quick and flexible
UK hatchback at the kerb of a suburban cul-de-sac, ready for learner driver insurance practice

What is
learner driver insurance?

Learner driver insurance is a type of temporary car insurance designed for provisional licence holders in the UK.

It allows learner drivers to practise driving in their own car or in someone else’s vehicle, outside of official lessons with a driving instructor.

This cover is essential for private practice and ensures you meet the legal requirement to have valid motor insurance while behind the wheel.

It's really useful for:

New to learning to drive? Read our full guide to getting your licence in the UK, covering everything from theory test to passing your practical.

  • Practising in a parent's or family member's car
  • Building experience between professional lessons
  • Weekend or evening practice runs
  • Last-minute prep before your driving test
  • Practising in your own newly-bought first car
  • Driving a borrowed car under supervision

How much does learner driver insurance cost?

The cost of learner driver insurance varies depending on factors such as your age, experience, where you live, when you need cover, the car you'll drive and how long you need to drive it for.

Short term learner policies can be very affordable, if you just need to practice for an hour or two. Our learner driver insurance can go all the way to 90 days, so longer policies will usually be more expensive.

Adding a learner to an existing policy as a named driver is another option, but if there is a claim it will affect the main policy. This is unlike learner driver insurance where it keeps claims separate and would not impact existing NCD of the car owner.

The premium you will pay for your short term car insurance will depend on a number of factors determines by the insurers.

If you only need to drive a car for a small amount of time, then a temporary car insurance policy might be an affordable option for you. However, the longer you need to insure yourself on the car for, the more it will cost.

You can buy multiple temporary car insurance policies throughout the year, but at some point an annual car insurance will become more cost effective, if you're always using the same car.

Learner driver insurance specialists

We've spent decades in temporary insurance, and built Covertime to make learner cover faster and friendlier.

Built around real practice

At Covertime, we specialise in providing short term car insurance for learner drivers across the UK. While we’re a newer name in the market, our team has decades of experience working in temporary insurance!

We created Covertime to offer learner driver insurance that’s faster, fairer and simpler. Having seen how things are done elsewhere, we set out to make temporary insurance for learners work better for real people.

With our flexible temporary learner driver insurance, you can get cover in just minutes. You choose how long you want to be insured for, from as little as one hour to up to 90 days. Perfect for extra driving practice before your test, or covering lessons in between.

Everything is handled online with no long forms or hold music and if you do need help, our live chat support is ready when you are. Best of all, it’s affordable and completely commitment-free, so you’re only paying for the time you actually need.

UK hatchback in a multi-storey car park, ready for learner driver insurance

Quote in under 60 seconds

We’ve stripped out the jargon and pointless questions to make it quick and easy to get your short term learner driver insurance quote online. You won’t need to call a call centre or wait for confirmation, you can sort it all from your phone or laptop in a matter of clicks.

And when you pass your driving test, you can simply stop your learner policy and move on to the next step, without being tied into an annual deal.

Whether you're learning to drive in your own car or someone else’s, Covertime makes learner insurance straightforward. Our goal is to offer UK learners one of the simplest and most affordable ways to get on the road safely and legally.

You've just found your go-to learner driver insurance provider.

Alloy wheel detail of a UK hatchback covered by learner driver insurance
UK hatchback parked under a streetlamp, the kind covered by cheap learner driver insurance

How can you get cheap learner driver insurance?

The smart way to save on learner driver insurance? Only pay for the time you actually need.

One of the biggest advantages of learner car insurance is that you can set it up to cover just the time you're behind the wheel. Whether you're squeezing in extra practice before your test or going out for a few weekend supervised drives, you’re in control.

By only insuring yourself on the car when you're driving it, you keep the cost down. You don’t need to pay for a full month if you're only going out for a couple of hours.

You can choose learner cover from as little as one hour, up to 90 days!. If you want more time after a policy runs out, just take out another short term learner policy. It’s flexible and quick.

And when you pass your test, you’re not locked into anything. You can switch to a different type of policy that suits your new status as a qualified driver, without being tied into an annual deal you no longer need.

It’s the perfect option for learners who want affordable, no-commitment insurance that fits around lessons, private practice and test prep.

Private practice between lessons is one of the best ways to reduce your overall costs. Read our guide: how private practice can reduce the cost of your driving lessons.

Our learner policies are Comprehensive

Well-maintained UK hatchback in a multi-storey car park, covered by comprehensive learner driver insurance

What is covered?

  • Damage to the car you're learning in
  • Theft or attempted theft
  • Damage or injury to other people, vehicles and property
  • Cover in your own name (owner's NCD untouched)
  • Practice supervised by a qualified driver 21+
UK hatchback on a busy British high street, covered by learner driver insurance for everyday roads

What isn't covered?

  • Driving on a UK motorway (unless with an ADI in a dual-control car)
  • Driving without a qualified supervisor in the car
  • Modified or custom cars beyond standard road specs
  • Hire and reward / commercial use
  • Trips that don't begin and end with the car in the UK

What levels of cover does learner driver insurance have?

When you take out an annual car insurance policy, you’ll usually choose from three main levels of cover: Comprehensive, Third Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT), or Third Party Only (TPO); which is the minimum legal requirement for driving on UK roads.

Third Party Only covers damage or injury to other people, their vehicles or property but not your own. TPFT offers the same protection as TPO but also includes cover if your car is stolen or damaged by fire. Comprehensive cover goes further, including all the above plus protection for your own vehicle, even if an accident is your fault.

At Covertime, we only provide Comprehensive cover for learner drivers. It’s the most complete level of protection, which is ideal when you’re still learning and building confidence. It means that both you and the car you’re practising in are properly covered while you're on the road.

We keep things simple by giving you the best level of insurance from the start – no confusing options or compromises, just quality cover while you learn.

For learner drivers who prefer to practise over the weekend, weekend learner driver insurance gives you two days of cover from Saturday morning through to Sunday evening.

How to get learner driver insurance

Getting cover in your own name takes just a couple of minutes. Perfect for slotting in extra practice between lessons.

  1. 1

    Pop in the car's reg and a few details about yourself

  2. 2

    Choose how long you need cover for, from one hour to 90 days

  3. 3

    Get your online quote, choose how to pay, and start practising

Important info about learner driver insurance

This learner driver policy is designed to cover you only while you’re learning to drive. It’s important to understand the conditions so you stay insured and avoid any issues:

A learner driver must be supervised by a suitable person, aged over 25, who has held a full UK licence for at least 3 years, and will only be covered whilst being supervised to learn to drive with the supervisor in the passenger seat.

Cover ends as soon as you pass: Once you pass your driving test, your insurance stops immediately, even if you're just driving home from the test centre. You're not covered to drive after that point.

Let Covertime know straight away: You must inform us as soon as you pass your test. This is so the policy can be cancelled properly.

Don’t drive without valid cover: If you keep driving after passing your test without getting a new policy in place, you could be prosecuted for driving without insurance.

If you're not the car’s owner: The registered keeper of the car (whether it's a parent or grandparent) must have their own insurance policy in place. This learner driver policy won’t cover them, it only covers you as the learner.

If you’re unsure about anything in your policy or need to make changes, contact us for help. Full details about cancellations can be found in your policy wording.

Who is
learner driver insurance suitable for?

Ages 17 and over
Holds a UK provisional licence
Practising with a qualified supervisor 21+
Vehicle values from £1,500 to £65,000

Can provisional drivers get learner car insurance?

Yes, learner drivers can get learner car insurance. If you’re practicing in a driving instructor’s car, the insurance is usually included in the cost of your lessons.

But if you’re learning in your own vehicle or someone else’s, you’ll need a separate learner driver insurance policy to drive legally on public roads.

You can’t rely on the car owner's insurance unless you're added as a named driver and the policy explicitly covers learners.

Learner insurance benefits for parents and families

Protected no claims discount

If your young driver needs to claim, your own No Claims Discount stays protected, while comprehensive cover protects your car, passengers and third parties throughout every supervised learning journey period.

Less admin, fewer decisions

Short-term learner insurance avoids policy changes, long contracts and ongoing adjustments, giving parents a simple, one-off solution whenever their child needs extra driving practice.

Confidence every time they drive

Knowing cover is active instantly allows parents to focus on supervising safely, rather than worrying about insurance gaps, paperwork or whether a learner driver is properly insured.

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Benefits of learner driver insurance

Cover from 1 hour to 90 days

Pick exactly the time window you need, whether it's a single lesson, a weekend of practice or a full month leading up to your test.

Doesn't affect anyone's NCD

Your cover is in your own name, so claims won't touch the car owner's No Claims Discount.

Comprehensive cover as standard

Fully comprehensive protection while you practise. No third-party-only compromises.

Quote in under 60 seconds

Pop in the car's reg, a few details and your dates, and you'll be ready to practise in minutes.

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What cover and uses should I be aware of?

Can you use learner car insurance cover for commuting?

Learner car insurance can be used to commute. If you want to get the extra time in on your way to or back from work, as long as you’re accompanied then that is allowed.

Can you use learner car insurance for Business Use?

Unfortunately, you cannot use learner car insurance for Business Use purposes. The definition of Business Use is driving / commuting to multiple locations, such as visiting clients or prospects. It's again different to 'Commercial Use'.

Can you use learner car insurance for Commercial Use?

You cannot use learning car insurance for Commercial Use. Commercial Use means using your car for transporting goods or people for what is referred to as 'Hire or Reward' which basically means when you're being paid for it, i.e. as a job / source of income.

How do I know my car is insured when using learner insurance?

When you take out learner driver insurance with Covertime, you can be confident you're properly insured. We work with a trusted panel of UK insurers who are experienced in providing short term cover for learner drivers.

As soon as you buy your policy, we’ll email you confirmation along with your official documents, including your Insurance Certificate. This confirms that you're legally covered to drive during your chosen period of practice.

You can also check the Motor Insurance Database (MID) – the UK’s central record of insured vehicles. However, because temporary learner insurance is designed to start quickly, your policy may not appear on the MID straight away. Don’t worry – as long as you’ve received your documents from us, you’re insured and safe to get behind the wheel.

Whether you're practising for your test or building confidence with extra private lessons, your Covertime policy has you covered.

Learner driver car insurance FAQs

Can a learner driver get insurance on their own car?

Yes, a learner driver can get insurance on their own car, as long as they have a valid UK provisional licence.

Learner car insurance allows you to practise in your own vehicle outside of lessons with an instructor, as long as you're supervised by someone who meets the DVSA requirements. It’s a good option if you plan to get plenty of private practice before your test. Some annual learner policies may also let you build up a no claims bonus.

Can you get learner driver insurance on your parents' car?

You can take out learner driver insurance on your parents’ car. This is a popular choice for many provisional drivers.

The insurance is kept separate from your parents’ main policy, so if you have an accident, it won’t affect their no claims bonus. You’ll still need to make sure the car is insured by the registered keeper throughout, and you must always be supervised by a qualified driver when practising.

What insurance does a learner driver need?

A learner driver needs valid car insurance that covers them while practising on public roads with a provisional licence. If you're taking lessons with an instructor, insurance is usually included.

But for private practice in your own or someone else’s car, you'll need learner driver insurance that meets UK legal requirements.

Can you get insurance with a provisional licence?

You can get learner car insurance with a provisional licence. Learner driver insurance is specifically designed for provisional drivers and covers you for supervised driving practice before you pass your test.

Note: a learner driver must be supervised by a suitable person, aged over 25, who has held a full UK licence for at least 3 years, and will only be covered whilst being supervised to learn to drive with the supervisor in the passenger seat.

Can you get learner driver insurance without a main policy?

Learner driver car insurance is a standalone policy, so you don’t need an existing or main insurance policy.

It's separate from the car owner's insurance, which means it won’t affect their no claims discount if you make a claim.

When supervising a learner driver do you need insurance?

If you're supervising a learner in your own car, your vehicle must be insured for you to be legally on the road.

The learner also needs to be covered, either through their own learner driver policy or as a named driver on yours. If you're supervising in their car, you might not need insurance yourself, but the vehicle still must be insured.

Why can't I get learner driver insurance?

There could be a few reasons why you’re unable to get learner driver insurance:

  • You're under the minimum age (usually 17)
  • The car is too powerful or high value for learner cover
  • You're trying to insure without a valid UK provisional licence
  • The supervising driver doesn't meet legal requirements

If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking the policy criteria or contacting a broker for help.

Can you get learner driver insurance by the hour?

You can get learner driver car insurance by the hour with Covertime, from one hour up to 12 hours; it then can be purchased by the day, ideal for short practice sessions.

It’s a flexible and affordable option if you don’t need long term cover. We help you compare different durations so you can choose what's right for your needs. If you insure yourself for a few hours, but then need more time, simply take out a new policy for the time extension that suits you.

What happens to learner driver insurance when you pass your test?

Once you pass your driving test, your learner driver insurance ends immediately. You're no longer covered, not even to drive home from the test centre.

You’ll need to arrange a new policy as a qualified driver before you drive again. Unfortunately due to insurer requirements, you will need to have held your full licence for six months to be able to buy a standard temporary insurance policy with us.

Is insurance cheaper on a provisional licence?

Learner driver insurance could be cheaper than insurance for new full licence holders, because you’re always supervised and driving under more controlled conditions.

However, there are many variables and prices can still differ based on your age, the car, and how long you need cover for.

Can you get learner driver insurance and lessons?

If you're learning in your own car or a family member’s car, you can take out learner driver insurance and also book professional driving lessons separately.

If you're only using an instructor’s car, you likely won’t need your own policy, as insurance is usually included in the lesson cost.

How much does it cost to insure a 17 year old driver in the UK?

The cost of insuring a 17 year old varies, but learner driver insurance can be an affordable option for a 17 year so enter your details in our quote journey to get an accurate price.

Can you get learner driver insurance for a day?

Yes, you can get learner driver insurance for just one day. This is ideal if you want to fit in a short practice session or need cover for a single day before your driving test.

One day learner policies offer the same legal protection as longer term ones, as long as you're driving with a qualified supervisor and meet all the standard conditions. It's a flexible, affordable option if you don’t need ongoing cover.

Can I insure as a learner driver for three months?

With Covertime our learner driver car insurance can be for as little as one hour all the way or to a massive 90 days! Giving you plenty of time to practise and pass that test to get rid of your L plates and get on the road by yourself for the first time!

Can I get temporary insurance without a UK driving licence?

Yes you can get temporary insurance without a full UK licence, but you'd need a provisional licence and need to use our learner insurance.

Did you know?

Learners can't drive on a UK motorway unless they're with a qualified driving instructor in a dual-control car. After passing your test you can, but check your annual policy covers motorway driving from day one.