Provisional licence insurance
Cover in no time
Takes less than 60 seconds!
Why choose Covertime?
Do everything online
Insure only for the time you need
Comprehensive cover
Docs available immediately after purchase
Protect existing No Claims Discount
Provisional cover from one hour to 90 days!
Get on the road in minutes
Quick and flexible
What is provisional licence insurance?
Provisional licence insurance is a type of temporary car insurance for learner drivers in the UK with a provisional driving licence.
With a provisional licence you can only drive when supervised by a qualified driver. Provisional insurance covers those practice sessions legally, whether in your own car or a family member's vehicle.
Every time you take the wheel on a public road, you must be insured. A provisional licence alone isn't enough - provisional licence insurance fills that gap and keeps every practice drive legal.
It works well for:
Learn to drive in a parent's or grandparent's car
Learn to drive in your own car
Get extra driving time in on top of lessons
Boost your practice time to pass
Our policies are Comprehensive
What is covered?
Damage to the car you're driving
Theft or attempted theft
Fire damage
Third party: damage to other vehicles / property / injury to others
What isn't covered?
More than one driver on a temporary policy
Delivery, courier or taxi work
Theft or damage due to neglect; such as leaving the car unlocked
Wear and tear
How to get provisional car insurance UK
Getting provisional car insurance with Covertime takes under a minute.
Enter your provisional licence details, choose how long you need cover for, and pay. Your documents arrive by email instantly - no calls, no waiting, no paperwork.
1
Just let us know the vehicle reg and a few details about yourself
2
Then we need to know when you need the learner cover and how long for
3
Get your quote, check the terms, choose how you want to pay and you're off!
Important info about provisional licence insurance
Provisional licence insurance has a few key conditions. Read these before you drive so you stay properly covered throughout every session:
Cover ends the moment you pass: Your provisional policy stops immediately when you pass your driving test - not the next day, not after a grace period. You'll need a new policy as a qualified driver before you get back in the car.
Tell us as soon as you pass: Contact Covertime when you get your result so we can close the policy correctly. Don't leave it - driving on a provisional policy after passing is not valid cover.
Never drive uninsured after your test: Once your provisional policy ends, you have no cover. Arrange a new policy for qualified drivers before getting back behind the wheel.
The car owner must also be insured: Even with your own provisional insurance in place, the vehicle's registered keeper needs their own valid policy running at the same time. Both must be active.
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?
Personal use
Ages 17-75
Provisional licence holders
Vehicle value from £1,500 to £65,000
*Other terms and conditions apply.
How much does provisional licence insurance cost?
The price of provisional licence insurance depends on your age, where you live, the car you'll be driving and how long you need cover for. Younger and less experienced provisional drivers typically pay a little more, but because you're always supervised the risk profile is lower than for newly qualified drivers.
Because you only pay for the time you actually need, provisional insurance is often more cost-effective than being added as a named driver. An hour costs less than a day; a day costs less than a week - you're in full control of what you spend.
Adding yourself to someone else's policy as a named driver is an alternative, but any claim you make will hit their no claims discount. Taking out your own standalone provisional insurance keeps your driving history separate and protects theirs.
Because you're supervised at all times, insurers view provisional drivers as lower risk than unsupervised young drivers - which can work in your favour when it comes to price.
If you're only heading out once or twice a month, short term provisional cover adds up to far less than an annual policy. Buy what you need, when you need it - nothing more.
You can stack multiple short term policies throughout your learning period. Once you pass your test, you'll move on to a standard policy as a qualified driver.
Need cover for just one session? See our daily learner driver insurance page for day and hourly options.
How can you get cheap provisional licence insurance in the UK?
The simplest way to keep costs down: only buy cover for the sessions you actually do.
Provisional insurance works around your schedule. Cover a two-hour practice run on Sunday, then nothing until the following weekend. You never pay for time the car is sitting unused.
Each policy is independent, so if you have a quiet week you simply don't buy one. No cancellation fees, no direct debits - just get cover and go.
Cover starts from one hour and goes up to 90 days. Need more time once a policy ends? Buy another - it takes under a minute and there's no penalty for doing so.
Once you pass your test, your provisional policy simply stops. No annual contract to unwind, no exit fees - just move on and arrange the right policy as a qualified driver.
It's designed to flex around however you're learning - formal lessons, private practice, or fitting in a few drives before your test date.
More practice between lessons is one of the most effective ways to cut costs. Read our guide on how private practice can reduce your driving lesson costs.
Provisional insurance specialists
Provisional insurance built around how learners actually drive...
Covertime was built specifically for temporary insurance. We cover provisional drivers across the UK, and our team has decades of experience in short term cover - so we understand exactly what you need at this stage of learning.
We set up Covertime because getting provisional insurance should be straightforward. No bloated forms, no unnecessary questions, no calls to make. Just fast, honest cover that does what it says.
From the day you get your provisional licence to the day you pass your test, Covertime has you covered. Choose your duration - from one hour to 90 days - and get on the road.
A quote takes under 60 seconds. No long forms, no phone calls - just your details, your duration, and you're done. Documents arrive by email the moment you pay.
If you have a question, live chat support is available whenever you need it. Everything works from your phone - no printing, no post.
We've stripped out the jargon and cut the form down to what actually matters. Getting your provisional insurance quote takes less time than making a cup of tea.
When you pass your test, the policy ends naturally. There's nothing to cancel and no notice to give - you just move on and sort a new policy as a qualified driver.
Whether you're practising in your own car or a parent's, Covertime makes provisional insurance hassle-free. Our goal is to offer UK learners one of the simplest and most affordable ways to get on the road legally.
You've just found your provisional insurance provider.
New to learning to drive? Read our full guide to getting your provisional licence and passing your test in the UK.
For a full overview of all learner driver cover options, visit our learner driver insurance hub page.
Do it even faster in our app.
Learner car insurance
Takes less than 60 seconds!
Benefits of learner driver car insurance
More driving practice
Get extra time on the road outside of lessons, which can help you pass your test sooner.
Comprehensive cover
Our learner insurance protects you, your passengers, your car as well as other people, property and vehicles.
Flexibility
Choose how long you need cover for: days, weeks, or months.
Quick, easy and affordable
Get a quote quickly, with a minimal amount of questions for just the length of time you need to drive to keep costs to a minimum.
Can learner drivers get car insurance?
Yes - if you hold a valid UK provisional driving licence, you can take out your own car insurance for private practice sessions. If you're using an instructor's car during a formal lesson, that's typically covered under their policy. But any private practice outside of lessons needs its own insurance.
Driving on a public road without valid insurance is a criminal offence, regardless of what licence you hold. Provisional licence insurance is what keeps every practice drive legal.
Don't assume you're covered under the car owner's policy. Most standard annual policies don't automatically extend to provisional licence holders - always check before you drive.
What should provisional licence holders know about cover restrictions?
Can you use provisional licence insurance for commuting?
Yes - you can use your provisional insurance for commuting, as long as a qualified supervisor is with you throughout the journey. It can be a practical way to build up road time alongside your daily routine.
Can you drive on the motorway with provisional licence insurance?
Since June 2018, learner drivers have been allowed to practise on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. However, this only applies when accompanied by an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in a dual-control car. A standard provisional insurance policy with a family member or friend as supervisor does not cover motorway driving - if you want motorway practice, it must be as part of a formal lesson.
Can you tow a trailer with provisional licence insurance?
No. Provisional licence holders are not permitted to tow a trailer or caravan. This is a legal restriction, not an insurance one - towing requires a full driving licence. Your provisional insurance does not cover any journey that involves towing.
How do I know my car is insured when using learner insurance?
When you take out provisional insurance with Covertime, your policy is registered on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) - the UK's official record of insured vehicles. This is what police check when verifying insurance on the road.
Your Insurance Certificate arrives by email the moment your payment goes through. It confirms you're legally covered for your chosen period - no waiting, no chasing, just instant proof of insurance.
Because provisional policies activate quickly, there can be a short delay before the MID updates. This is completely normal - your Insurance Certificate is your valid proof of cover in the meantime.
If you're stopped during a practice drive and asked for proof of insurance, your certificate is all you need. Keep it saved on your phone or printed - whichever works for you.
What levels of cover does learner driver insurance have?
Car insurance comes in three levels: Third Party Only (TPO), Third Party Fire and Theft (TPFT), and Comprehensive. Here's what each actually covers:
TPO is the legal minimum - it covers damage you cause to other people and their property, but nothing for your own vehicle. TPFT adds protection if your car is stolen or damaged by fire. Comprehensive covers all of the above plus damage to your own car, even if the accident is your fault.
Covertime only offers Comprehensive cover for provisional licence holders. Given that you're still building your skills on the road, having the most complete protection is the right call - and it means you never have to weigh up whether it's worth it.
Every provisional insurance policy through Covertime is Comprehensive as standard. No tiered options, no confusing add-ons - just full cover from the moment your policy starts.
Pay securely and easily
Learner driver car insurance FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
With learner driver car insurance the cover will cease immediately after the driver passes their driving test. This is because they're no longer a learner driver and will need standard car insurance!