Driving a vehicle without a valid driving licence is illegal in the UK. For this reason, car insurance providers require a driving licence number from customers before they cover them. You’ll be asked to provide a number of details when taking out a car insurance policy, including your home address and date of birth, information about the vehicle you’re insuring, any driving convictions, and – crucially – your driving licence number. Without this, you won’t be able to finalise your car insurance purchase.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about car insurance without a licence below.
Can You Insure a Car Without a Licence?
No – you cannot insure a car without a valid driving licence. In the UK, it’s a legal requirement to provide a driving licence number when purchasing car insurance – whether you’re looking for short-term cover or an annual policy.
Can Learners Get Insurance Without a Licence?
No – learner drivers are required to have a provisional driving licence before they get behind the wheel of a vehicle, purchase learner car insurance and take driving lessons. Even if a family member buys the learner driver their insurance policy, they’ll be required to enter the learner’s provisional driving licence number to finalise the purchase.
Can You Own a Car Without a Licence?
Yes – you can own a car without owning a valid driving licence.
- You are not required to insure your car if it has been kept off all public roads since before 1st February 1998, or if you have a credible Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
- You won’t need to insure your car if it has been stolen, scrapped, or exported, and you have notified the relevant authorities of this.
- If a vehicle is currently in stock or between dealers, it does not need to be insured, as long as the dealer is authorised.
- You don’t need a licence if you’re permitting someone else to drive your car, with the necessary insurance.
- If you’re learning to drive a car on a provisional licence, you can buy and own a car before you’ve passed your practical test.
- You don’t require a licence to buy a car for someone else to drive, such as a caregiver, employee or a family member.
- If you’ve purchased a collectible car that you’re not planning to drive, you don’t require a licence. In this case, you may be able to purchase insurance for the vehicle as an asset, rather than insuring it to be driven.
Will Your Car Insurance Be Invalid if Your Licence is Suspended?
If your driving licence has been suspended, cancelled, or you’ve been refused renewal, you are required to inform your insurance provider, who will invalidate your insurance policy. This is because a valid driving licence is a prerequisite of all insurance policies – not having one immediately voids your cover. You will be eligible for insurance again once your licence is returned or renewed.
Do Any Companies Not Need Your Licence for Insurance?
The vast majority of insurers will refuse to cover an unlicensed driver. In the rare case that a provider allows a customer to purchase car insurance without a valid driving licence, the customer could expect to pay an extremely expensive premium, and may only be able to insure the car as an asset – not as a vehicle to drive. This is because insurers regard unlicensed drivers as significantly riskier to insure than those with a licence.
Whether you’re looking for temporary learner driver insurance with a provisional licence, or short-term cover with a full driving licence, find the perfect policy for you with GoShorty. Get a quote and get covered in minutes to be on your way.