Short Term Young Driver Insurance
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Why Compare Temporary Young Drivers Insurance At SimplyQuote?
Comparing temporary insurance for young drivers at SimplyQuote gives you quick, flexible cover — perfect for first-time drivers who only need insurance for a short time.
Whether it’s for borrowing a car, test driving, or sharing the drive, we make it fast and frustration-free.
Through our partnership with GoShorty, you’ll get real-time quotes from trusted UK insurers — all tailored to younger drivers who may not yet have built up no-claims bonuses or years of driving experience. This matters, because not every insurer offers short-term policies to under-25s or newly qualified drivers.
Rather than adjusting someone else’s long-term policy (which can be expensive and risky for the main policyholder), a temporary insurance policy offers standalone, legal protection for the exact hours or days you need.
At SimplyQuote, it’s a single form, multiple quotes, no pressure. You compare policies, pick your cover level, and go. It’s built for young drivers who need short-term flexibility — without phone calls, paperwork, or long-term commitments.
Why Do I Need To Get A Quote?
To get a quote for temporary car insurance as a new driver, you’ll need just a few key details — your personal info, licence, car details, and when you want the cover to start.
It’s a quick process, often completed in under five minutes.
Temporary insurance is designed to be fast and straightforward. Whether you’re 18 and just passed your test or 23 and borrowing a parent’s car, the system is built to give you tailored, real-time results — without needing to speak to an insurer or alter someone else’s policy.
Here’s what you’ll need to provide:
- Your name, date of birth, and UK address
- Full UK driving licence details – including how long you’ve held it
- Vehicle registration number – or make and model if you’re insuring without a plate
- Cover start date and time – choose when the policy begins and how long it lasts
- Purpose of use – social driving, test drives, or commuting
- Claims or conviction history – typically within the past five years
Once submitted, you’ll receive quotes tailored to drivers like you — young, recently qualified, or just starting out — through SimplyQuote’s link with GoShorty. No hidden criteria, no calls — just live, accurate options.
Why Do I Need Temporary Insurance As A New Driver?
Temporary insurance is ideal for new drivers who need legal, flexible cover without committing to a full annual policy.
Whether you’ve just passed your test or only drive occasionally, short-term cover is often the most practical option.
It gives you time to get used to driving without the upfront cost of an annual premium — which can be especially high for new or younger drivers. You’re only paying for the days or weeks you actually need to be behind the wheel.
Here’s when temporary cover makes sense:
- You’re borrowing a parent’s or friend’s car for a weekend or university break
- You’ve just bought your first car and need insurance to drive it home
- You’re sharing the drive on a road trip or holiday and want legal cover for your part
- You’re waiting for an annual policy to start, or shopping around before committing
- You’re insuring a car you only use occasionally, like during term time
And because it’s a standalone policy, temporary insurance won’t impact the car owner’s no-claims discount. That’s a big deal when someone’s trusting you with their vehicle — and it keeps things clean and simple for everyone involved.
Looking for temporary young driver insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesWhat Does Temporary Insurance For Young Drivers Cover Include?
Temporary car insurance for young drivers usually includes comprehensive cover — protecting you against third-party damage, fire, theft, and accidental damage.
Despite being short-term, the level of protection is similar to what you’d get with a standard annual policy.
It’s not watered down. In fact, many providers structure temporary policies to mirror the safety and legal requirements of long-term cover — just condensed into hours, days, or weeks. And it’s completely independent of any other policy on the vehicle, meaning no risk to the owner’s no-claims bonus.
Here’s what’s typically included:
- Third-party liability – covers injury to others or damage to their property
- Accidental damage – pays for repairs to the car you’re driving if something goes wrong
- Fire and theft – covers the car if it’s stolen or damaged by fire
- Legal expenses – may cover uninsured loss recovery or related legal fees
- Optional extras – such as breakdown cover, courtesy car, or European travel
Whether you’re borrowing a vehicle or covering your own, this type of policy gives you full legal protection for the time you actually need — and the peace of mind that you’re not underinsured while learning to drive solo.
What’s Not Included?
Temporary insurance for young or new drivers won’t cover commercial use, unlicensed drivers, or any vehicle that isn’t roadworthy.
While the cover is broad for personal use, there are specific exclusions that every first-time policyholder should understand.
Short-term insurance is designed to be simple — but not limitless. It provides legal cover for driving a specific car, at a specific time, under specific conditions. Anything outside that scope will likely be excluded.
Here’s what young drivers typically won’t be covered for:
- Delivery driving or rideshare work – no Uber, Deliveroo, or courier use unless explicitly stated
- Driving a vehicle not fit for the road – the car must be taxed, MOT’d, and in good condition
- Using your policy outside the insured period – you’re only covered between your chosen start and end times
- Driving other vehicles – only the car listed on your policy is covered
- Pre-existing damage – any issues that existed before your policy starts won’t be covered
- Drivers without a full UK licence – most insurers won’t cover learners unless the policy is specifically for that purpose
If in doubt, always read the policy summary before buying. It’s better to be 100% sure your situation fits the cover than to assume and risk invalidating your policy.
How Much Does Temporary Insurance For Young Drivers Cost?
Temporary car insurance for young drivers usually costs between £15 and £35 per day, or from around £12 per hour.
Prices vary depending on your age, driving history, vehicle, and how long you need cover for.
As a new or young driver, premiums are often higher because insurers view you as higher risk — especially if you’re under 21 or have held your licence for less than 12 months. But the good news is, temporary policies let you pay only for what you need — no annual commitment, and no risk to a family member’s no-claims bonus.
Factors that influence the price include:
| Factor | Impact on Cost |
|---|---|
| Age | Drivers under 25 (especially under 21) typically pay more |
| Time held licence | Recently qualified drivers face slightly higher rates |
| Vehicle type | High-performance, modified, or luxury cars cost significantly more |
| Location | Urban postcodes or areas with high claim rates can increase the premium |
| Duration of cover | Hourly policies cost less upfront, but longer durations may offer better value |
| Optional extras | Adding breakdown, legal cover, or European travel will increase the price |
While temporary insurance won’t be as cheap as being added to a parent’s policy long-term, it can work out better overall — especially when you need flexibility, independence, or short-term access to a car.
How Can I Save Money On Temporary Insurance As A Young Driver?
You can save money on temporary car insurance as a young driver by choosing a low-risk vehicle, avoiding unnecessary add-ons, and comparing quotes before you buy.
Even though young drivers tend to face higher premiums, smart choices can bring costs down.
Let’s start with the car. If you’re insuring a high-performance model or something with aftermarket mods, your quote will likely be steep. Insurers favour standard, well-maintained vehicles — the kind that don’t raise red flags. If you’re borrowing a family car, go with the most sensible option available.
Here are a few more cost-saving tips:
- Increase your voluntary excess – this lowers your upfront premium (just be sure you could afford it if you claim)
- Stick to essentials only – skip extras like breakdown cover or legal protection if you truly don’t need them
- Insure only for the time you’ll drive – don’t round up “just in case” — insurers charge by the minute
- Avoid peak times – late-night or holiday weekend policies can be priced higher
- Use SimplyQuote to compare – our GoShorty-powered tool checks multiple providers, all in one go
Even as a young driver, you don’t need to accept the first quote you’re given. Just a few smart tweaks can deliver real savings — without cutting back on protection.
How To Compare Temp Insurance For Young Drivers At SimplyQuote?
Comparing temporary car insurance quotes for young drivers at SimplyQuote takes just a few minutes — and gives you live results from trusted insurers via our partner GoShorty.
It’s fast, flexible, and built for first-time drivers.
Here’s how it works:
- Enter your personal and licence details
Add your name, postcode, and full UK driving licence info — even if you’ve only just passed your test. - Add the car’s registration or details
You’ll be asked whether the car is yours or borrowed. Either way, you can search by reg or enter make and model manually. - Choose your cover start time and duration
You can schedule your policy in advance or start immediately. Choose cover from 1 hour up to 28 days. - Review your tailored quotes
See a side-by-side list of temporary cover options available to young drivers. You can sort by price, policy length, or extras. - Select and buy
Once you’ve found the right fit, complete your purchase online and get your policy docs by email instantly.
You don’t need to speak to anyone, upload documents, or call around checking if they “cover under-21s.” SimplyQuote filters everything in advance — so the quotes you see are actually available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some insurers will cover 17-year-olds, but you must have a full UK licence. Provisional licence holders need a specific learner driver policy.
Yes, but it can take up to 48 hours to appear. Always keep proof of cover handy in the meantime.
Not always. Temporary cover is flexible and independent, but may be more expensive per day. It’s ideal for occasional use.
No. Temporary policies usually don’t accrue no-claims discounts. You’ll need an annual policy for that.
Many providers offer policies from just 1 hour. You can tailor the length to fit your exact driving time.
You can’t usually extend an active policy. You’ll need to take out a new policy once the current one ends.
Only if European cover is included or added as an extra. Always check the policy terms before driving outside the UK.
Not by default. Most policies require a full UK licence. If you’re learning to drive, look for learner driver insurance instead.
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Written by Chris Richards
Page last reviewed on 2nd of June 2025 by Chris Richards