Provisional licence insurance

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.