Can I drive someone else's car if I am a named driver?

Asked by: Beulah Herzog  |  Last update: August 3, 2022
Score: 4.2/5 (22 votes)

It depends on your insurer and your particular policy. For example, coverage rules and regulations may be different if the driver lives in your household and could, or should, be listed as a named insured on your policy, but is not; or, if the driver is listed on your policy as excluded.

Can you drive another car if your only a named driver?

Can I drive my partner's car? As we've seen, driving other cars (DOC) insurance isn't usually included as part of a fully comprehensive policy. Unless your policy states otherwise, you'll only be able to drive your partner's car if they've added you as a named driver or have a family or any driver car insurance policy.

Can you drive any car if you are fully comp?

Having fully comp insurance on your own vehicle doesn't mean that you're fully comp on someone else's. If your insurance provider does allow you to drive a different vehicle, it's likely that they will only provide third party cover as a maximum.

Can someone drive someone else's car?

As long as she's given you permission to drive her car, it should be no problem at all. In most cases, you're allowed to drive someone else's car, as long as it's covered with insurance.

How does insurance work when someone else drives your car?

Permissive use

Most car insurance policies will cover drivers you've listed on the policy, or anyone whom you give permission to drive your car, says Nolo.com. This means your insurance will likely cover another driver in the event of an accident, as long as they had your permission to drive your vehicle.

How to insure yourself to drive someone else's car

21 related questions found

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance UK?

Myth 2: Other people can drive my car if I've said I don't mind. FACT: Many people may think it's just a case of giving permission, but it's not as simple as that. If someone else wants to drive your car, they will need their own car insurance with driving other cars cover. They will not be covered under your policy.

Does car insurance follow the car or the driver?

Unless you're a 'named driver' on their car insurance, you almost certainly won't be insured. And both the driver and car owner can run into trouble if caught without the necessary cover.

Can I drive a car not registered in my name?

You can only legally do so if you have DOC cover in place or you're already insured on the other person's car. If you're not, you won't be legally permitted to drive the car – even in an emergency.

What is the penalty for driving someone else's car?

If the case goes to court you could get an unlimited fine or be disqualified from driving. The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that's being driven uninsured.

How do I know if I am insured to drive someone else's car?

How do I check to see if I'm allowed to drive another car? If you're not already added as a 'named driver' on their policy, then another way to find out whether you're covered to drive another person's car is to check your car insurance policy wording. This was sent to you when you took out your cover.

When can I drive someone else's car?

You can drive someone else's car if you have DOC insurance or you are a named driver, but otherwise you mustn't do so.

Can I insure myself to drive someone else's car?

Yes, but you will have to tell the insurer you are not the owner or registered keeper when you apply. Some insurers will only offer you cover as the main driver if you are also the registered keeper of the car. However, many will insure you, so shop around and check the policy documents before you apply.

What does it mean to be a named driver?

A named driver is someone who is insured to drive a vehicle in which another person does most of the driving. When driving that vehicle, the named driver will have the same level of cover as the main driver. They may also be referred to as an additional driver.

Does the main driver have to own the car?

But the main driver doesn't necessarily have to be the owner or the registered keeper. This is pretty common for married couples. If you're married, one of you can own the car and be the registered keeper. But if your spouse drives the car more often than you do, they'll need to be listed as the "main driver".

Does a named driver have to live with you?

Does a named driver have to live at the same address as the main driver? No, someone does not have to live at the same address as you to be added as a named driver to your policy.

Can a named driver use car for work?

Any named driver can use your vehicle occasionally. That means they shouldn't be the permanent driver, nor should they be regularly using the vehicle, for example for driving to work. If someone is named as an additional driver but in fact has main use of the car, this is called fronting, which is illegal.

Can I drive a friend's car in UK?

Before driving someone else's car, you must have the owner's permission and their car must have valid insurance already. You can only use the car in the UK for the purposes stated on your certificate. The extension to drive other cars only applies to the policyholder and NOT named drivers.

Can I insure a car if I am not the registered keeper?

You can insure a vehicle you don't own, but you must tell the insurer that you're neither the registered keeper nor the owner. The registered keeper is the person named on the registration certificate; the owner is the person who bought it.

Can I be the registered keeper of a car but not own it?

The registered keeper should be the person who is actually using / keeping the vehicle and this is not necessarily the owner of the vehicle or the person who is paying for it.

Can someone else insure my car if the title is under my name?

While the person who owns the car is usually the one who insures it, most states will allow someone other than the owner to pay for a car policy. However, many driver's insurance providers will only insure a car if the policyholder and car owner are the same.

How many cars can you be a named driver on?

How many additional drivers can I add to my policy? If you are renewing your insurance policy, the provider will ask you how many additional drivers you would like to add. The maximum amount of named drivers is usually four.

What happens if a named driver crashes my car?

While named driver insurance can have benefits for both parties, the policyholder is more at risk. This is because is the named driver on your policy crashes the car, it will be under your name. So, if you have built up a no claims history of five years, and your named driver crashes, you will lose it if you claim.

Can you be the named driver on 2 cars?

A named driver is insured to drive the car, but they don't use it as often as the main driver. The main and named driver have the same level of cover on the car. But a named driver could be the main driver on another vehicle. You can be the main driver of more than one car.

Does a named driver need their own insurance?

Does a named driver need their own insurance? No, you do not need your own insurance policy as a named driver. The entire point is that named drivers can be added to an existing policy.

Do named drivers get no claims?

Named drivers can't usually build up a no claims discount, although they can accumulate their own if they're insured as the main driver on their own car. Some insurance providers may give a named driver a discount – provided they take out their own policy at a later date.