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Instant, comprehensive car insurance for a test drive.
Get a price in under 60 seconds!
Test drive car insurance is a short-term policy that covers you to drive a vehicle you do not own. Whether you are buying a car privately or visiting a dealership, it ensures you are legally protected for the duration of the test drive.
These policies are flexible by design. You can get cover for as little as one hour or as long as 28 days. Unlike adding yourself to the seller’s existing annual policy, a dedicated test drive insurance policy will not affect anyone’s no claims bonus if something goes wrong.
Getting insured for a test drive is quick and straightforward. Most providers can have you covered in minutes. Here is how it works:
Most test drive insurance policies are purchased entirely online.
If you decide to buy, drive away insurance covers the journey home immediately – arranged from your phone before you leave the seller.
Our test drive insurance protects you, the car you are driving, and any third parties - as standard.
Because your policy is separate from the seller's, any claim you make will not affect their insurance record.
Choose cover from one hour to 28 days. Only pay for the time you actually need.
Your insurance certificate is available immediately after purchase, so you can get on the road straight away.
Yes. In the UK, it is a legal requirement to have valid insurance whenever you drive a vehicle on public roads, even during a short test drive. There are no exceptions.
Many people assume that the seller’s policy will cover them. In most cases it will not. If you are caught driving without valid insurance, you could face:
The consequences are not worth the risk. Getting test drive car insurance is quick and takes just minutes to arrange.
Some annual car insurance policies include a ‘driving other cars’ clause. If yours does, you may already be covered to drive a vehicle you do not own – but there is an important caveat.
This extension usually only provides third-party cover, not Comprehensive cover. That means if you damage the car you are test driving, you will not be covered for the repair costs. A standalone test drive insurance policy gives you Comprehensive cover, so repairs can be paid for should they be needed.
Always check the exact terms of your existing policy before assuming you are covered. When in doubt, a separate short-term policy is the safest option.
At a dealership
Main dealerships typically provide insurance for test drives as part of their service. Before getting in the car, always confirm with the salesperson that you are properly covered. Even where cover is provided, check for any exclusions such as age limits or restrictions on the level of cover.
Private sales
If you are buying a car privately, the responsibility falls on you. Private sellers rarely have insurance that extends to potential buyers. Even if they offer to add you to their policy, the process can be time-consuming, costly, and will affect their no claims bonus if there is an accident.
Taking out your own temporary test drive insurance is the better solution. It is quick to arrange and keeps everyone’s insurance record clean. Read more about insurance for test driving a private sale car.
If you also need cover for the drive home on the same day, one day car insurance wraps the test drive and the collection into a single 24-hour policy.
One of the key advantages of taking out a standalone policy is that any claim will not impact your existing no claims bonus – or the seller’s. This is because the policy is entirely separate from any annual insurance you may hold.
If you were added to the seller’s policy and had an accident, it could affect years of their claims history. A dedicated short-term policy avoids this entirely, giving both buyer and seller peace of mind. Find out more about how to protect your no claims bonus.
If your test drive goes well and you decide to buy, you will still need valid insurance to drive the car home. Your temporary test drive policy may still be active if you purchased it for a longer duration – but if not, you have two options:
Do not assume your test drive policy automatically covers you to drive the car away after purchase. Always check the terms.
Read our full guide on driving a car home after a private sale.
The complete range of short-term cover for every situation is on our temporary car insurance page.
No. A car declared off-road with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) cannot legally be driven on public roads by anyone – including for a test drive. Before you can take it out, the owner must remove the SORN and get the car taxed. You will then need to arrange your own insurance before driving it.
Yes. It is a legal requirement to have valid insurance to drive any vehicle on a public road in the UK, even for a short test drive. If you are not covered by the seller’s policy or your own annual policy, you will need a separate test drive insurance policy.
It depends on your policy. Some annual policies include a ‘driving other cars’ extension, but this is usually limited to third-party cover only. That means if you damage the car you are test driving, your policy will not pay for the repairs. Check your policy wording carefully before relying on it.
A Daycover test drive policy provides Comprehensive cover as standard. This includes accidental damage to the car you are driving, third-party liability, fire, and theft. The policy covers a single named vehicle for the duration you choose.
No. A standalone test drive insurance policy is completely separate from your annual car insurance. If you make a claim on your test drive policy, it will not affect your existing no claims bonus or the seller’s.
No. A car with a SORN cannot be driven on public roads under any circumstances. The owner must remove the SORN and tax the vehicle before it can be test driven. You will also need valid insurance before driving it.
You can choose cover from as little as one hour up to 28 days. If you are viewing multiple cars on the same day, you may need a separate policy for each vehicle, as the cover is specific to the car listed on your certificate.
No. Each test drive insurance policy covers a single named vehicle. If you are planning to test drive more than one car, you will need a separate policy for each one.
You can get covered in minutes. The entire process is online – enter the car’s registration, your details, and choose your duration. Your insurance documents are available to download immediately after purchase.