Instead of committing to an expensive annual policy, driving test insurance allows learners to cover themselves just for the time they need to take their test. This insurance is particularly useful for learners as it is totally flexible around your needs.
If you have a friend or family member’s car you can use, temporary insurance allows you to practise for as long as you need before taking the final test. This puts you at a great advantage compared to learners who rely on instructor-led driving lessons only, as you can get as many hours of practice as you see fit before committing to a test.
You can find out more about the concept of ‘driving practice insurance’ here.
Also, temporary insurance will allow you to take the test in the vehicle you have practised in, again giving you a slight advantage when it comes to taking the test. Driving in a familiar vehicle is a good idea when taking the test, as you’ll be comfortable and confident, rather than having to drive in an instructor’s vehicle. Small differences like this could improve your chances of passing, so it’s definitely worth testing in your own car if possible.
Our driving test insurance policies include:
Get a quote in under two minutes by filling in our easy-to-use forms, you’ll be learning to drive in no time.
To take your driving test, you will need to be covered by insurance, this can be traditional annual insurance, temporary, named driver insurance or if you’re using your instructor’s vehicle, they should have you covered.
GoShorty’s learner insurance will cover you for both the process of learning to drive and taking the test, making it a great option for learners. Our temporary insurance is flexible around your needs, allowing you to practise as much as you want before taking the test, it will also cover the car owner’s No Claims Discount.
For a driving test, learner drivers can use annual car insurance, temporary car insurance, named driver insurance, or be covered by their instructor’s insurance if they are using their vehicle for the test.
Named driver insurance is convenient, but is often the most expensive option to go with, as learner drivers are considered higher risk by insurers, meaning prices will likely be high when adding them to an annual policy. This type of insurance will not protect the main policy holder’s No Claims Discount either, leaving them open to the risk of paying more if an accident happens when the learner is behind the wheel.
Temporary insurance presents the most flexible and cost-efficient option for learners wanting to take a test. You can choose the policy to last only for the time you need, and it will allow you to take your driving test in the vehicle you choose to get insured for, rather than an instructor’s vehicle. This insurance will protect the main policy holder’s No Claims Bonus too.
Annual insurance or black box insurance work well too, however, once you have passed your test, you will then need to update your policy and may be liable to pay a cancellation fee, which all adds up in the end. Your temporary insurance policy will end when you want it to, leaving you free to move on to an annual policy once you have your driver’s licence, if you wish to.
The price of this will vary depending upon the insurance type the learner opts for. An annual policy would be expensive, for example, when compared to a short-term policy.
Annual policies are for much longer periods, so naturally cost more. If a learner just wants to cover themselves for the day of their test, GoShorty’s daily insurance is a great option, the average cost for a day’s coverage for a learner is £15.01* according to our calculator.
GoShorty provides insurance ranging from one hour up to four weeks, making it an extremely flexible service, allowing you to choose a specific policy without having to commit to an expensive annual policy. Learner drivers can choose from hourly, daily, weekly or monthly insurance policies.
Everyone learns differently and an approach that works for one person may not be the best route for you. Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue that taking your test in the same car that you’ve been practising in isn’t beneficial.
Familiarity: Using your own car for your test will allow you to be confident in the vehicle. Consistency is key and while most cars operate in a similar way, there will be key differences in the controls across different models. It’s not a good start if the instructor asks you to point out where the screen wash goes and you are left confused!
Availability: This will allow you to be more flexible when approaching the test, as there is no need to rely on someone else’s vehicle on the big day.
Costs: You can end up paying more to use your instructor’s vehicle, so by using your own you can save some money on the already expensive cost of a test.
Comfort: It’s your car, so seats, mirrors and all the bells and whistles will be just as you like them. This should help remove any unnecessary distractions when testing.
To get driving test insurance, you must first know if you are eligible for the policy. You should have permission from the vehicle owner and a valid provisional licence at the very least. To be sure you are eligible, check out our checklist before going any further with the process.
MID: Please note that all our Short Term Insurance policies are submitted to the Motor Insurance Database (MID) at midnight every day. We recommend always having a copy of your Insurance Certificate with you during the period of cover, and remember that you can always access all of your insurance documents by logging into Your GoShorty.
Criteria the Car Being Insured Must Meet:
Criteria the Learner Being Insured Must Meet:
Learner drivers who want to test in their own car should have driving test insurance. This type of insurance will allow a driver to practise in a vehicle, this may belong to a friend or a family member who are kind enough to let you learn in their car, and also take the driving test in that very same vehicle.
This presents a great advantage over drivers without this insurance, as they will be relying on their driving lessons only to learn to drive and will then have to test in an instructor’s vehicle, which may be different to the vehicle they are used to practising in. Learner and driving test insurance will allow you to stick to the same vehicle throughout your learning period and the test itself, which is a great advantage due to the familiarity you will have with that car.
If you are looking to borrow someone else’s vehicle to take a test in, you need their permission before taking out a policy on their vehicle. Once you have permission, fill out our quote form to get the process started, you will need:
The government’s guidelines do not allow cars that limit the examiner’s all-round vision. The list of cars not allowed are:
To use your own car, you must meet certain criteria:
Driving tests, including an eyesight check, safety questions and the driving section, should take around 40 minutes, but this can vary.
Practise! Take lessons, study the rules of the road and drive as much as possible. Taking out a temporary insurance policy on a family member’s vehicle is a great way to maximise your time in a vehicle when learning, allowing you to practise for as long as you need before feeling confident enough to take the test.
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Want to learn more about short term learner cover? Discover if you’re eligible and take a look at our blogs to see if temporary learner driver insurance is right for you.
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