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Test drive insurance

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^*Based on Confused.com data from Tempcover average policy purchase prices in September 2023.

Do you need insurance to test drive a car?

You need insurance to test drive a car as you can’t legally drive on the road without having a valid policy.

Test driving a car without car insurance could land you with a £300 fine and 6 penalty points on your licence, and could even result in a ban or unlimited fine if the case goes to court. Even if you’re already insured on your own car, you still need to buy additional cover while you’re test driving another vehicle.

If you’re test driving a car at a dealership, check if they're supplying insurance to cover you while you take a test drive.

If you’re buying privately, you need to arrange your own insurance policy before you can start driving the car.

How does test drive insurance work?

Test drive car insurance provides cover for you to try out a car before buying it, and can also cover you to drive it home if you decide to buy it straight away. It’s a type of temporary car insurance so you can choose to be covered for as little as 1 hour all the way up to 28 days.

It’s only available as a comprehensive policy, so you're covered for any damage you cause to the car you’re test driving. This is as well as any damage caused to a third party or their property.

Test drive insurance is a separate insurance policy. So even if you have to make a claim, it doesn't affect any no claims bonus you have on your standard car insurance policy.

Can you drive a new car home without insurance?

No - you need to insure your new car before you drive it home. If you’re driving straight home after a test drive, and the policy you bought for it is still active, you can drive home under the same policy.

There are a couple of options available to you if you need to arrange new cover for the car to drive it home:

Buy a drive away insurance policy to cover you to drive the car home, which also gives you more time to find the best insurance deal. You need to extend your temporary insurance or declare your car SORN after your policy expires until you’re ready to fully insure it.

Buy an annual car insurance policy as soon as you buy the car, which means you're fully insured straight away. But if you need to return the car for any reason, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

Do I need insurance for an extended test drive?

Yes - extended test drives last longer than your typical trip around the block so you need to make sure you’re insured. Some extended test drives can last as long as 7 days.

They’re usually only offered by dealerships, as private sellers are less likely to let you keep their car for a week. You might not have to buy test drive insurance for extended test drives as the dealership often has its own insurance in place.

While this should cover you, it’s always worth checking before you start driving. If you do need to arrange it yourself, you can buy extended test drive insurance for as long as 28 days.

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Does comprehensive insurance cover driving other cars?

Not always. While some fully comprehensive annual car insurance policies include a driving other cars (DOC) clause, it's not as common as it used to be.

DOC clauses aren't intended to be used regularly and there are likely to be limitations on when you'll be covered, so always check your policy documents to see what's included.

DOC may not cover test drives, so you'll still need to arrange your own cover. With test drive insurance you get comprehensive cover, while DOC clauses only offer third party protection. This means if you were to crash on your test drive and only had DOC cover, you'd need to pay for any repairs needed.

What our expert says

"It takes less than 2 minutes to find test drive cover, so you’ll be able to set it up even if you’re already at the dealership or with a private seller. Driving without cover could land you with points, a fine or worse so it’s just not worth the risk, especially if you’re driving an unfamiliar car."

Marc Pell, Managing Director at Tempcover

Marc Pell Managing Director | Tempcover

Can you test drive a SORN car?

No - if a car has been declared off-road with a SORN, it’s illegal for anyone to drive it, even for a test drive. Before you can drive the car, the owner has to remove the SORN and get it taxed. You then need to get test drive insurance before you can drive the car.

If you buy a car with a SORN, you’d need to tax and insure it yourself before you can drive it home.

Who is Tempcover?

Our trusted partner Tempcover is a leading provider of short-term car insurance and has been helping customers find temporary cover for over a decade.

They compare fully comprehensive insurance policies from a range of insurers to help you find the cover you need.

What do I need to get test drive insurance?

To get a temporary car insurance quote from Tempcover for a test drive, you’ll need:

Personal details:

Your name and address
Details of your licence and driving history

Car details:

Details of the car you'd like to insure
When you'd like the cover to start
How much the car is worth - Tempcover don't cover cars with a value below £1500

Tempcover will compare temporary car insurance policies from their panel of insurers and show you the quote that best suits your needs.

Types of car insurance

Drive away insurance

For those looking for short-term cover when purchasing a new car.

New driver insurance

For those who are new to driving or hold a provisional licence.

Car insurance for 17-year olds

Helps protect young drivers out on the road for the first time.

Temporary car insurance

Offers short-term comprehensive cover from one hour to 28 days.

Car insurance

Is a legal requirement if you're driving in the UK. Find out more about choosing the right cover at the right price.

Car insurance guides

What happens if I don’t get car insurance?

Making sure you’re insured to drive doesn’t just protect you, it’s also a legal requirement.

Can I drive someone else’s car on my car insurance policy?

The ability to drive other cars on your policy isn’t something that’s always automatically included. In fact, not all providers even offer it.

Third-party insurance explained

Third-party insurance covers you if you damage another vehicle, or another motorist claims against you. But it offers you zero accident protection for your car.

How to add a named driver to your car insurance policy

Adding a named driver to your car insurance policy doesn’t need to be confusing.

See all car insurance guides

Reviewed by Marc Pell Managing Director | Tempcover Updated on 05 October 2023

Confused.com's temporary cover solution is provided by Tempcover LTD. Tempcover LTD are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 746985. Tempcover LTD is registered in England No. 9923259 at office: 2nd floor, Admiral House, Harington Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 4BB. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives a percentage of commission received by Tempcover LTD.