Can I Drive My Parents’ Car? What About Insurance?
Got questions about driving your parents' car? What's the insurance situation? If you're planning to drive your parents' car, either regularly or just occasionally, make sure you've got the right cover to stay legal.
Can I drive my parents' car without insurance?
No, you'll need at least third party car insurance if you want to drive your parents' car. You must be properly insured if you drive on the public road, no matter how short the distance, even if your parents have given their permission for you to drive the car, and even if they have their own insurance policy covering the vehicle.
How to make sure you're properly insured to drive your parents' car
You have a few options. The first method is for your parents to add you as a named driver to their existing policy. The second is to take out a policy in your own name.
Thirdly, if you're still learning to drive, there's also the option to take out a short-term policy that lets you practice in your parents' car without risking their no claims bonus if you have a prang.
Let's look at those options in a little more detail.
1. Become a named driver on your parents' policy
Ask your parents to add you as a named driver on their existing policy. Adding a child to their policy is probably the cheaper, more convenient option in the short-term, but it does have disadvantages, too.
As a named driver you don't earn a no claims bonus in your own name, so if you're a careful driver you won't feel the financial benefits when you eventually take out a policy in your own name.
Some insurance companies will, however, give you an introductory bonus if you buy your policy from the same insurer your parents are using.
2. Get your own insurance policy
Buying car insurance in your own name is often more expensive than being a named driver on someone else's policy, but you'll be earning a no claims bonus right from the start, which saves you money in the long run.
Insurance policies should be in the the name of the main driver or registered owner of a vehicle, though, so if you are just an occasional driver of your parents' car, this isn't the right option for you.
Whether you get your own policy or become a named driver on your parents’ very much depends on your circumstances - our article about naming young drivers on their parents’ policy provides more useful information.
Get a quote for a policy in your own name
3. A short-term policy for learner drivers with a provisional licence
Can you drive your parents' car on a provisional licence? Yes, if you are properly insured and comply with other legal requirements for learner drivers, such as being properly supervised by a more experienced driver, and displaying L plates.
Learner drivers can either be a named driver on their parents' policy, or they can take out temporary insurance in their own name until they pass their test.
4 Young Drivers offers a great short-term policy for learner drivers. You'll be able to drive a parent or friend's car with absolutely no risk to their no claims bonus if you have a little bump while you're practicing your driving skills.
Get a quote for a short-term policy for learner drivers
I have insurance on my own car - am I covered to drive my parents' car, too?
Some comprehensive insurance policies do provide basic cover to drive other vehicles, but it varies widely between companies, so check your policy wording carefully. If your policy does permit it, the cover is usually third party only, so if you have an accident you could be footing the repair bill yourself! There may also be restrictions on age, occupation and the type of vehicle you can drive.
Cover for driving other vehicles is really only intended for emergency situations, so if you're likely to drive your parents car more frequently, you should become a named driver on their insurance.
What will happen if I drive my parents' car without insurance?
If you're caught driving without insurance the consequences can be severe.
- The IN10 conviction code brings with it a minimum of 6 penalty points, a potentially unlimited fine and even, in serious cases, disqualification.
- Your parents' car can be impounded by the police and even destroyed in some circumstances.
- The conviction will stay on your licence for for years and you'll have to disclose it to insurance companies when you apply for insurance. This can make it more expensive to buy insurance.
If your parents knowingly allow you to drive their car without insurance, not only could you find yourself charged with an offence which may lead to a conviction, your parents could also be in trouble.
With so many options to get properly insured, you'll be behind the wheel in no time!