The Green Insurer
How does learner driver insurance work?
By Paul Baxter, 12th March 2025
Category: Learner driver
Imagine a world where you never have to wait around for lifts, beg your parents to pick you up, or spend your evenings playing taxi driver for your kids.
This world is probably what most of us think will happen once we pass our driving test (or when your child passes). But learning to drive takes time and can be expensive. The more experience you gain, the better and more confident you’ll become. One way to get that extra experience without breaking the bank is learner driver insurance.
What is learner driver insurance?
You may or may not have heard of learner driver insurance, but essentially, it’s a separate policy that allows learner drivers to practise in a family member’s or friend’s car. Since the policy is separate from the main car insurance, if the learner is involved in an accident, the car owner's No Claims Discount won’t be affected.
Why do I actually need it?
It’s illegal to drive on UK roads without insurance. If you’re learning with an instructor in their car, their insurance covers you during lessons. However, if you want to practise outside of lessons whether in a family member’s or friend’s car you’ll need to be insured to drive that car.
Who can supervise a learner driver?
A learner driver must always be supervised when practising. The supervisor must:
- Be at least 25 years old*
- Have held a full UK driving licence for more than 3 years valid for the type of car they are supervising the learner driver in.
If you’d like to learn more about being a learner driver supervisor, please read our blog including tips on supervising your learner driver and a learner driver supervisor checklist.
* Although the law allow supervisors who are aged 21 or over, with The Green Insurer the supervisor must be aged 25 or over.
Is learner driver insurance the same as being a named driver?
No. You can be added as a named driver to the car owner’s existing insurance policy, but this isn’t always an option. Some insurers won’t allow learners due to the higher risk, and it can be costly there may be admin fees, their premium could increase, and if the learner has an accident, the car owner will lose their No Claims Discount. You’ll also be signed up for the full remaining period of the insurance policy. The Green Insurer’s learner driver insurance is flexible, allowing you to get cover for any number of days from 7 to 90 days.
Learner driver insurance is a separate policy that keeps the car owner’s No Claims Discount safe and lets you pay only for the cover you need.
How much does it cost?
We offer learner driver insurance from less than £2 a day**.
With flexible cover options from 7 to 90 days, you’re not locked into set blocks like some insurers. Need 15 days of cover? You only pay for 15 days – not 30! See how much it costs and get a quote today.
**Sourced from all new learner driver insurance customers between 11th February 2025 and 8th March 2025.
What happens once I pass?
Firstly congratulations! Once you pass your test, your learner driver insurance automatically ends. Let us know as soon as you’ve passed – we’ll even refund any unused days for policies of 30 days or more. Any refund due will be calculated from the time you inform us, so don’t wait!
Paul Baxter - CEO, The Green Insurer
Paul Baxter is the Chief Executive Officer of The Green Insurer. With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Paul has held senior leadership positions at Marmalade Insurance, Chaucer Insurance Service, Tesco Insurance, and Direct Line, shaping the future of motor insurance in the UK.
With a strong track record in insurance, his expertise spans digital transformation, insurance innovation, and customer-centric solutions. Passionate about shaping a future that is not only safer for drivers but also better for the planet and all people. Paul is committed to giving customers a genuine option to buy green insurance easily.
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn.