Temporary Insurance for Young Drivers
Compare Temporary Insurance For Young Drivers
- Get insurance from 1 hour up to 28 days
- Quotes from UK insurance providers
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In short: Temporary insurance for new drivers is short-term car cover lasting from 1 hour up to 28 days, giving newly-passed and young drivers flexible protection without the cost of a full annual policy. Quotezone compares short-term quotes from a panel of UK-authorised insurers, with cover available from age 17 upwards subject to insurer criteria.
What is temporary insurance for young drivers?
Young driver temporary insurance is a flexible insurance option that can be customised to cover young drivers for short term driving. You can find cover for as little as 1 hour, right up to a few months.
Whether borrowing a friend’s car for an hour or using a parent’s car at uni for a month, this is the ideal solution. And it can offer essential coverage at a time when new drivers are struggling with the rising cost of car insurance in the UK.
When can new drivers benefit from temporary insurance?
Young driver temporary car insurance provides a cost-effective option when annual insurance is too expensive, or only short-term cover is needed. Young and new drivers pay more for insurance due to their inexperience and lack of driving history. The benefit of temporary car insurance is that you only pay for the exact coverage you need. This can be useful when:
Borrowing a family member’s car
Sharing driving duties on a road trip
Needing to test drive a new car
Learning to drive in a family member’s car
When you need to drive in an emergency
Moving house
Attending one-off events
Helping out family or friends in a time of need
How does temp insurance work for young drivers?
Duration of temporary car insurance policies
The duration of temporary car policies can be anything from 1 hour to a day, a week or even 30 days, sometimes more. It’s designed to be flexible enough to fit your specific needs. For instance, if you need more time on your one-day policy, it’s usually quite easy to request an extension.
Typically, you can do this online or simply contact your insurance provider directly. You’ll have to organise the extension while your policy is still valid though. Once your policy has expired you’ll typically no longer have the option to extend and you’ll have to take out a new policy.
Coverage options for temporary car insurance
Most temporary insurance policies automatically include comprehensive coverage. If you want to keep costs low, we suggest that you shop around for alternative options. For example, some insurance providers may offer temporary third-party only or third-party, fire, and theft policies.
Eligibility criteria for temporary car insurance
The eligibility requirements for temporary policies and more specific coverages like day insurance for new drivers revolve around the driver’s age, license validity, claims history, and conviction record.
While most insurers will offer temporary car insurance to 17 year olds up to 65 year olds, some might only insure over 25s. The specifics of a policy can vary between insurers, especially when it comes to young drivers. That’s why we recommend shopping around for competitive quotes.
How much is temporary insurance for new drivers?
A driver’s history will tell a lot about their risk levels. The problem is that new drivers don’t have a lengthy driving history to assess, so insurance companies typically charge more for the unknown risks. The cost of temporary insurance for new drivers is therefore comparatively higher than the cost of coverage for experienced drivers.
If you need year-round cover rather than temporary, our student car insurance page has tips on finding affordable annual policies while at university.
New drivers are also typically young. Statistically, young drivers are more prone to risky driving behaviour and accidents. If you’re under the age of 25 you can expect to pay more for temporary insurance.
However, other aspects like location, the type of car being insured and what the car is used for also impact insurance costs. For exact costs, you can quickly and easily get quotes that are relevant to your circumstances. Comparing quotes increases your chances of finding cheap temporary car insurance for new drivers.
Temporary car insurance for 17 year olds
If you’ve just passed your test at 17, a short-term policy can be a sensible way to start driving without committing to a full annual premium. Cover at this age is offered by a narrower panel of short-term insurers, and premiums sit at the higher end. Typical use cases include practising in a parent’s car straight after your pass, borrowing a family member’s car for a few days, or covering yourself on a friend’s vehicle. According to the Association of British Insurers, drivers aged 17 to 20 paid an average comprehensive annual premium of £1,344 in Q4 2024 (ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker). Short-term cover can help avoid locking that figure in for 12 months. Comparing temporary car insurance for 17 year olds on Quotezone helps you see which insurers will quote at this age.
Cover options for 18 year olds
At 18 you typically have a wider choice of short-term insurers than at 17. Premiums are usually a little lower, since you’ve held a full UK licence for longer. Common scenarios for 18 year olds include taking a parent’s car back to university, a summer job that needs occasional driving, or borrowing a friend’s car on a road trip. Temporary car insurance for 18 year olds is usually fully comprehensive by default — useful when borrowing a higher-value vehicle. If you only need to drive a few days a month, a series of short policies is often cheaper than being added as a named driver on someone else’s annual policy.
Short-term cover at 19
By 19, most drivers have two years of post-test experience behind them, which insurers reward with lower short-term premiums. Temporary car insurance for 19 year olds is useful if you’re between annual policies, need occasional access to a family car at university, or want short-term comprehensive cover on a borrowed vehicle. Going short-term also protects the owner’s no-claims discount. Eligibility is broader at 19 than at 17 or 18 — most short-term insurers on the Quotezone panel will quote, subject to licence type and vehicle value.
Cover for drivers aged 20
At 20 you’re still in the under-21 cohort, which insurers price as higher risk, but short-term quotes are generally more competitive than at 17 or 18. Temporary car insurance for 20 year olds works well if you only drive occasionally, or if you need a few days of cover to drive home a newly-purchased car. Once you turn 21 the picture changes again — some insurers that previously declined to quote will start offering short-term cover, and premiums typically drop. Comparing quotes on Quotezone lets you see what your current age band actually costs without committing to a full annual policy.
How to get temporary insurance for new drivers
Applying for temporary insurance online
It’s easier than ever to get quick access to temporary car insurance online. Sites like ours can help you find multiple providers fast. Making it easier for you to make an informed decision when choosing a temporary new driver insurance policy.
Necessary documents and information for applying
- Your driving licence
- Your driving history
- The car’s registration number
- Your personal details like your name, age and address
- You’ll need to state what level of coverage you want
- A payment method
Comparing temporary car insurance providers
It’s important to compare multiple new driver temporary insurance quotes because each insurer calculates premiums differently. They have their own underwriting criteria and some may be more lenient towards young drivers than others.
Comparing quotes for temporary young driver insurance increases your chances of finding cheaper cover. We have a comprehensive range of insurers on our site who offer temporary insurance to younger drivers.
Tips for finding cheap temporary car insurance for new drivers
Source various quotes for temp cover for new drivers as this will increase your chances of finding cheap temporary insurance for young drivers.
Compare various durations of cover too as some options might be more cost-effective per day than others.
Consider a black box policy if the car has a telematics system installed. Discounts usually apply when insurers can monitor your driving habits. If you drive safely, this can help you build up a good driving record.
Choose a smaller, lower-powered vehicle where possible. Cars in lower insurance groups cost less to insure.
Choose a higher excess if you can. This takes some risk off the insurer and could be rewarded with cheaper premiums.
FAQs about temporary insurance for new drivers
What is the minimum age requirement for temporary insurance?
Some insurance providers require you to be 25 years or older to qualify for a temporary policy. Other insurers may offer temporary car insurance for 17 year olds or those with a provisional license, but this could come with more restrictions.
Can I add additional drivers to my temporary car insurance policy?
No. Although temporary car insurance is flexible, it does not typically allow additional drivers to be added to the policy. Each driver would need their own policy for the duration that they’ll be driving the car.
Can a young driver get insured on any car?
Potentially. Temporary car insurance for young drivers is more flexible than an annual car policy. Temporary policies tend to allow more room for the type of car an inexperienced driver can insure. Keep in mind that insurers may vary on this so it’s important to compare a range of quotes.
Is temporary insurance more expensive for new drivers?
Yes. New drivers don’t have a long driving history that insurers can use to assess their risks. They mitigate these risks by increasing the premiums. To find the cheapest temporary insurance for new drivers, it’s advisable to shop around to find affordable policies for new drivers under 21. Some insurance companies might be more lenient than others when it comes to driving experience.
Do new drivers need their own insurance?
Not necessarily. Although new drivers can have their own insurance, or be added to someone else’s policy, it can be expensive or excessive for the amount of time they will be driving. If you only plan to drive for a short period of time, a temporary insurance young driver policy could be the better option.
Can I get temporary insurance for a driving lesson?
When you take a lesson with a certified instructor, you don’t usually need additional temporary insurance. Their instructor’s insurance typically covers you. If you want to practice outside of your lesson time with an uncertified teacher or family member, you would need to take out temporary learner driver insurance. It’s convenient because you can take it out for as little as one hour or up to 30 days. Some insurers may offer cover up to 60 days giving you more time to learn how to drive.
Can you get temporary car insurance after passing a test?
Yes. In fact, temporary young driver insurance could be a cost-effective way to ensure you are covered once you’ve passed your driving test. Insurers may be reluctant to offer standard car insurance to new drivers because of the risks involved. Temporary insurance is more flexible and often automatically offers comprehensive cover, even to new drivers.
Can new drivers drive someone else’s car?
Yes as long as they have a minimum of third party cover on the car. You can get this by being added to an existing insurance policy as an additional driver, taking out their own car insurance, or purchasing temporary insurance for young drivers on the car. If you already have insurance, you might have a DOC (Driving Other Cars) cover included. This would give third party cover for driving other cars.
How do I get temporary car insurance for a 17 year old?
Only some temporary insurance providers will offer cover for 17 year olds. We make it easy to find temp insurance for 17 year olds by providing a list of UK-based insurers in one place. This lets you compare policies and providers quickly and easily, so you can find insurers that will cover you.
What are the requirements for taking out temporary learner driver insurance?
Whilst the requirements for temporary learner driver insurance can vary from insurer to insurer, there are a few standard requirements that are fairly universal for insurers across the UK:
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You’ll need to be at least 17 to take out a policy.
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You’ll need a valid provisional driving licence.
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You’ll need to be supervised by a qualified driver who is at least 25 years old and has held a full driving licence for at least 3 years.
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You’ll need a road worthy car in order to take out a temporary learner driver policy.
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Can I get temporary insurance if I’m under 18?
No. The minimum age for a temporary car insurance policy in the UK is 17, in line with the legal minimum age to hold a provisional driving licence (GOV.UK). Most short-term insurers ask for a full UK licence or a valid provisional licence, plus an accompanying qualified driver if you’re a learner. Under 17s cannot be insured to drive on the road. A parent or guardian would normally need to take out cover in their own name and add the young person as a named driver where eligible.
Reviewed by: Greg Wilson
Founder & Insurance Expert
Written by: Katie Gawley
Insurance Content Writer
Fact-checked by: Quotezone Editorial Team
This content follows our Editorial Guidelines
Last Updated: 11 May 2026
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