Learner Driver Insurance & Learning To Drive

Learning to drive can be both exciting and a little confusing at the same time. We can answer some of the common questions around learning to drive.

What type of Learner Driver are you?

To help you answer some of the common questions around learning to drive, we’ve put together this collection of answers to all of the questions you might have about learning to drive. Everything from 'how to get your provisional licence' to 'getting learner insurance' and what to do once you pass your Driving Test. We have it all covered here.

One thing to note, is that there are now loads of different ways to get insurance whilst learning to drive. Short term policies, long term policies, borrowed car, your own car, cover for your Driving Test - there are options for all.

All you need to know about Learning to Drive & Learner Driver Insurance

First Steps

Should I learn to drive?

This is probably the first question to ask yourself before you go any further! Driving can bring you a lot of freedom and opportunities that you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of if you couldn’t drive so whoever you are, whatever age you are, there are plenty of reasons to learn to drive. That doesn’t change the fact that learning to drive can be very expensive though, so it’s important to think about ways to save money whilst learning to drive.

When should I learn to drive?

You should learn to drive when you have the time and money to be able to commit to taking lessons and practicing regularly enough to learn and build your knowledge so you haven’t forgotten what you learned in the last lesson. Lessons and practicing in your own or a borrowed car can provide a good balance so that you can learn as quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Other than that, then you can learn to drive any time after your 17th birthday!

When can I apply for my provisional licence?

You can apply for your Provisional Driving Licence up to 3 months before you turn 17. You can apply for this online on the DVLA website. Although it’s important to remember that even if you receive your Provisional Licence before you turn 17, you can’t start learning how to drive on public roads until you turn 17. 

How much does a provisional licence cost?

The cost of a provisional licence is currently £17 but this can change so it’s always best to check these things on https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence.

Am I too old to learn to drive?

You’re never too old to learn to drive, and it can be a liberating experience whenever you decide to learn. If you want to learn more about the challenges and advantages of learning to drive when you’re a little older you can read more here about learning to drive when you’re older.

Learning to Drive

How long does it take to learn to drive?

It completely depends on the person. There is no required minimum amount of hours or maximum amount of hours you can spend learning, so don’t worry if it’s taking you longer or if you need more lessons to learn how to drive than some of your friends. On average according to the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) it takes 45 hours of lessons and an additional 22 hours of practice outside of your driving lessons. You can read on to find out more about how long it takes to learn how to drive.

How much does learning to drive cost?

Learning to drive can be expensive but there are ways to make it more affordable. The average cost for a driving lesson in the UK is £24 but this can vary a lot depending on how long the lessons are, and whether you buy them in bulk or individually. The best alternative to complement your driving lessons and help you to learn to drive and pass your test quicker and cheaper is to practice in your own car or borrow a parent’s car. You can also read about more ways to save money whilst learning to drive or you can get a quote for learner driver insurance for anywhere between 1 day and 1 year in 30 seconds.

Should I take an intensive driving course?

Intensive driving courses have become increasingly popular over recent years with more and more people deciding to try and learn to drive and pass their test in as little as a week. However, there are definite downsides of learning in this way. Firstly, learning in the space of a week you will be taught how to try and pass the test, and not necessarily how to drive safely and you certainly won’t experience as many different situations as you would by learning through normal lessons and practice. You are unlikely to experience driving in different weather conditions and this can make it a lot more daunting when you then have to experience driving in rain or snow for the first time, without the comfort of having an instructor there to guide you through it. Moreover, intensive driving courses require an upfront payment and can cost upwards of £1,000. Whereas normal lessons and learning in your own or someone else’s car, you can pay for lessons as you have them, or insure yourself to learn in a car on a daily or weekly basis. In your own time for your own convenience and at your own pace which will give you a far broader experience of driving and help make you a better driver, not just rushing you to pass your test.

Does learning in someone else’s car affect their no claims bonus?

If you are added onto a family member’s or friend’s policy as a learner driver this can affect their no claims bonus if you were to have an accident in their car. However, it does not affect their no claims bonus if you take out a separate policy altogether just to insure you as a learner driver on their car. You can get a quote in seconds for this here with the peace of mind that you won’t be affecting anyone else’s insurance policy.

Who can accompany me in the car whilst I’m learning?

It’s important to make sure that when you’re learning to drive that you are accompanied by someone over the age of 21 who has held their licence for at least 3 years and who is fully insured on the vehicle you will be learning in. Alongside their insurance you also need insurance for the vehicle that you’re driving in, and you can get learner driver insurance here that won’t affect the owner’s policy or no claims bonus. We offer learner driver policies for any amount of time from 1 day, 1 week all the way up to 1 year.

When do I take my theory exam?

You need to have passed your theory exam before taking your practical driving test, but you can still start learning how to drive before taking your theory exam.

What car should I learn to drive in?

There is no one answer to this question, but you should try to make sure you learn how to drive in a car you feel comfortable in and importantly is road-safe and has a full MOT. It is also worth considering whether you want to learn to drive in a manual or automatic car. If you learn to drive in a manual and pass the manual driving test you can always drive in an automatic after, but if you learn in an automatic then you can’t drive a manual car, so it’s best to keep this in mind when making your choice!

How do I learn to parallel park?

Parallel parking and other tricky manoeuvres can certainly haunt some learners but its important to stay calm and keep at it as practice will mean you pick these up so much faster. Read on for a step-by-step guide of how to parallel park.

How many minor faults can I get in my driving test?

You can pass your practical driving test with up to 15 minor faults, but if you make any major faults you will fail. Only 49% of people pass their driving test on their first attempt, so don’t be disheartened if you fail the first time! Practice, take some more lessons and book another test and you’ll pass in no time. You can read more to learn more about driving test faults and find out the most common ones.

How much does a driving test cost?

The price of a driving test in the UK depends on the day you do the test. If you book your test to be on a weekday it costs £62 but if you do your test during the evening, on a weekend or on a bank holiday it will cost £75. The theory test costs £23 on any day. For more information on how to book both these tests you can read more about how to apply for a theory and practical test.

Finding it hard to learn to drive?

It can be hard to learn to drive, and it doesn’t come as naturally to some people as others. It’s important to keep at it, make sure you’re comfortable with your driving instructor and that they’re helping you learn at a speed that you can keep up with but that is pushing you enough to make you progress. Outside of lessons it can also be really useful to practice in your own car or in a borrowed car with a supervisor so you can put what you’ve learned in lessons into practice and so you can focus on learning something new in your next lesson. At InsureLearnerDriver we offer learner driver insurance so you can practice in your own car or in a borrowed car outside of lessons.

 

Learner Driver Insurance

How long do I need learner driver insurance for?

This varies for each person but at InsureLearnerDriver we do offer lots of flexibility to how long you can get learner driver insurance for; so whether for you think you’ll need cover a day, a week or a year, we can offer you a quote here in seconds.

Which Learner Driver insurance is the best?

There are lots of providers of learner driver insurance on the market but InsureLearnerDriver offers the best flexibility of short-term or long-term cover on your own car, or on a borrowed car. Better still, you can get a quote in seconds, try now.

Do learner drivers need insurance?

Yes, learner driver insurance is compulsory if you are learning how to drive or practicing privately and not with a qualified driving instructor. If you are learning to drive with a qualified instructor, they need to have insurance that would cover you to learn in their car. Short term learner insurance is available for those times when you do want to practice learning to drive with a friend or family member, or you can get longer term insurance if you plan on learning without a qualified driving instructor in your own or a borrowed car.

Can I get learner driver insurance on my own car?

Currently, we are looking for a replacement insurance provider to cover learner owners. You can learn how to drive either in a car registered in your name or you can learn to drive in a borrowed car. If you’re looking for short-term learner insurance of annual learner insurance, we’ve got you covered. 

Can I learn to drive in a borrowed car?

You can learn to drive in a borrowed car from a family member or friend without affecting their No Claims Bonus. For full details on the acceptance criteria for learner driver insurance in a borrowed car you can look here for short term policies for 1-28 days.

Why is learner driver insurance cheaper?

Learner Driver insurance is generally cheaper than insurance for a newly passed driver as the risk is often higher for a newly passed driver that is no longer supervised in the car in the way that a learner driver is.

Can I drive on learner’s insurance after I’ve passed my test?

Once you have passed your practical driving test you will need full insurance for a full UK licence and cannot continue to drive with learner’s insurance. Depending on how long your policy is and your insurer’s policy terms will affect when your learner driver insurance becomes void. Some policies will allow you to drive home in the vehicle after passing the test and others will end as soon as you pass the test. It’s important to check what your insurance covers before the test so you make sure you can get home.

Does Learner Driver insurance show on MID?

Yes, learner driver insurance will show on MID but you should take into account that it can take up to 7 working days for it to show online after you’ve purchased it.

 

We offer a range of types of Learner Insurance;

• Learner Driver Insurance for when Practising in Someone Else’s Car (1- 28 days) – short term online policies
• Learner Insurance for Drivers Who Own Their Own Car – annual policies 

Learner Driver Insurance is a specific type of policy tailored towards those learning to drive. An accompanying qualified driver needs to be with the Learner Driver at all times when they are driving under this insurance.

 

The Benefits of Learner Driver Insurance cover are;

• the Learner Driver can get as much extra practice as they like
• a more cost effective way to practice in addition to your driving lessons 
• flexibility to arrange instant cover when you need some extra driving practice
• Comprehensive cover on the vehicle whilst the learner is driving
• if it’s someone else’s car you are using, this independent policy removes the risk of any negative effect to their own policy – like losing their No Claims Bonus discount
• parent’s can help their children pass their Driving Tests quicker 

Normal legal requirements apply with regards to having a qualified accompanying driver – in addition to the insurance policy restrictions.

Policy Requirements for the Accompanying Driver:

• Must be a Full Licence holder
• Must be between 25-72 years of age
• Must have held a Full UK, EEA or EU Driving Licence for a minimum of 3 years

Accompaniment by a Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) approved driving instructor or a DVSA qualified examiner is also permissible.

There are main types of Learner Driver Insurance policies available;

1. Learner Insurance for Practising in Someone Else’s Car (1-28 days) – this short term policy can be purchased online with periods of cover starting from 1 day up to 28 days, you can take out a further 28 days cover at the end of this period, if required – (ages 17- 25 covered)
2. Learner Insurance for Practising in Your Own Car  – this is for an annual policy period and allows the owner to start earning their own No Claims Bonus discount – (ages 17- 25 covered) Click here for full details of the Annual Learner Driver Insurance policy.

We offer flexible learner insurance policies to cover all the needs of all types of learner drivers:

1. for learners whilst practising in someone else's car, like a parent, family member or a friend's car
2. for learners who have their own car and need annual insurance - if they pass their driving test during this period, they will be refunded for the remaining period

Buy Instant Short-Term Learner Insurance Cover Online

 

You can get an instant online quote for any of these options by clicking the links below. It takes 30 seconds to get a quote, requiring the minimum information. You can then go on to purchase the policy online within 5 minutes - and you are covered to start practising.

 

Separate Insurance Policy to Cover the Learner

 

A major advantage of these types of Learner Insurance policies is that the learner driver can be covered to learn to drive in someone else's car without effecting the car owner's own insurance policy and putting their earned No Claim Bonus at risk, as these Learner policies are separate, independent insurance policies.

FOR LEARNERS IN A BORROWED CAR

You can get an instant quote and be covered to go out practising with an Qualified Accompanying Driver.

1. Flexible cover periods
2. From 1 Day up to 28 Days
3. Instant Online Cover
4. Certificate of Insurance emailed out
5. Driving Test - using car for Driving Test also covered
6. Comprehensive Insurance
7. Low Excess

Having this insurance policy means that the learner driver does not need to be added to the vehicle owner's policy - this acts as a separate, independent 'top-up' policy to cover the learner driver only. So that means it will not put the vehicle owner's hard earned No Claims Bonus discount at risk. 

Driving Test - you are also covered under this policy to use the vehicle for your Driving Test. The Driving Examiner is counted as the qualified Accompanying Driver, in this instance.

We will email your Certificate of Insurance to you and you can be on your way to Driving Test Success.

The Accompanying Driver or Supervisor with the Learner

As per the legal requirement, all learner drivers are only allowed to drive a car with another qualified driver in the passenger seat with them. For our insurance cover, the driver must :

• be aged between 25 - 72 years of age
• hold a Full and valid UK Driving Licence for at least 3 years

This is the perfect option for most Learner Drivers who wish to get some extra hours of Private Practice, without the costs of using a Driving Instructor. 

FOR LEARNERS WITH THEIR OWN CAR

If you are looking for an Annual Learner Driver Policy in your own car, these are arranged through our parent company, Safely Insured. You can get a quote online from the link above, or call them on the number below.

You can either arrange an online quote by clicking 'Annual Learner Owner Quote' above or you may prefer to call our Young Drivers team to talk through the best options for you - Call: 03303 331 256 *please note, they can only deal with Annual Learner policy quotes and enquiries.

Buying A Car For A Learner Driver

This is an excellent investment - not only will it give you the advantage of being able to get a lot of extra driving practice in, it also means, once you pass your Driving Test, you are ready to get out on the road in a car that you are already comfortable with. Take out an insurance policy as a newly qualified driver through our parent company Safely Insured and we will also give you a discounted rate on that policy. 

We offer Owner Learner policies;

1. Policies for Learners Who Own Their Own Car – annual policies - with refunds for period if test passed during the year's cover

Driving Test - you are also covered under both of these policies to use the vehicle for your Driving Test. The Driving Examiner is counted as the qualified Accompanying Driver, in this instance.

Get an instant quote for your preferred option. If you opt for an Annual Learner policy and pass your Driving Test during the year, we will arrange a 'pro-rata' refund, so you won't be out of pocket choosing this option.

Benefits of Owner Learner Driver Insurance;

You can buy your Owner Learner Driver Insurance immediately online;

• Refund on premium if Test Passed: Annual policy initally
• Instant cover - you can be covered from today - online quotes available
• Drivers aged 17 – 25 years covered
• Cover for cars up to group 23 with a current market value up to £20,000
• Immediate Certificate of Insurance emailed to you
• Driving Test Success! - more practice makes passing your test more likely
• Your vehicle will have Comprehensive cover, which means both the third party and your own car will be covered

The Accompanying Driver or Supervisor with the Learner

As per the legal requirement, all learner drivers are only allowed to drive a car with another qualified driver in the passenger seat with them. For our insurance cover, the driver must :

• be aged between 25 - 72 years of age
• hold a Full and valid UK Driving Licence for at least 3 years

This is the perfect option for most Learner Drivers who wish to get some extra hours of Private Practice, without the costs of using a Driving Instructor.

 

How long can I get learner driver insurance for?

Our panel of insurers offer a range of flexible cover periods, covering;

• one day's learner insurance
• a week's learner driver insurance
• One month's learner policy 
• Annual Learner Policies

All the policies from 1 day up to 28 Days can be purchased online from this website. The Annual Learner Insurance is arranged through our sister company, Safely Insured, who also offer an online learner annual quote on their website. The annual policy is a good option if you wish to start earning a No Claims Bonus whilst learning to drive.