Learner driver insurance: what you need to know
Published 5 August 2025
Last updated 5 August 2025
Need the low down on learner driver insurance? In this blog our friends at Veygo talk you through what it is and why you need it.
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A guide for learner drivers (and a section just for parents!)
Learning to drive is exciting. But let’s be honest, it can feel a little overwhelming too. Between the clutch control, roundabouts, theory tests and car choices, there is a lot to think about.
If you’re planning to get extra practice outside your lessons (and you definitely should if you can), then learner driver insurance is a legal requirement. In this guide, we’ll explain how it works, why it matters, and how it can help make your journey to passing your test smoother and safer.
What is learner driver insurance?
Learner driver insurance is short-term, flexible cover designed specifically for people who are learning to drive. It allows you to practice in your own car or a friend or family members’ car and it’ll have your back if anything goes wrong.
What makes it especially useful is that it’s separate from the car owner’s policy. A bump or scrape means their no-claims bonus stays protected.
Why do you need it?
If you're learning with a driving instructor, their car insurance covers you during lessons. But for any private practice sessions, you’ll need to sort your own.
Veygo’s learner driver insurance offers hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly policies – perfect if you’re only practising occasionally or need flexible cover while building experience before the test.
Safe practice starts with smart habits
Once you’re insured and behind the wheel, how you practise matters. Every drive is a chance to reinforce safe habits that will stick with you well beyond your test.
Learners who combine lessons with supervised practice tend to be more confident, more prepared, and 50% more likely to pass first time*.
Here are a few good habits to get into early on:
- Put your phone out of reach, or switch it off
- Set up your navigation system before leaving
- Avoid eating or drinking while driving
- Stay calm under pressure – you’re learning and mistakes are part of the process!
These habits keep you safe, and they build the kind of driver insurers want to reward.
What happens if you have a bump?
First things first: do not panic. If something goes wrong:
- Stop somewhere safe if you can, and make sure everyone’s okay
- Turn on your hazard warning lights and consider using a warning triangle
- Exchange names, contact information, and insurance details
- Take photos of the scene
- Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible
We’d recommend talking through these steps with your supervisor before your first session. Veygo has great resources to help you feel confident and prepared from day one.
A section just for parents
We know how nerve-wracking it can be watching your child drive for the first time. But your patience and guidance matter more than ever right now.
Here’s how you can support them:
- Be a calm supervisor during private practice. Praise their progress and keep your feedback constructive but make sure you discuss any mistakes your learner makes at the earliest safe opportunity
- Model safe behaviour. If you drive responsibly, they’re more likely to do the same
- Talk through the car’s features, like lane-keep assist or advanced emergency braking
- Stay informed. Revisit The Highway Code or take The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving e-learning course.
Final thoughts
Getting learner driver insurance is more than just a box to tick. It’s about setting yourself up to be a more prepared, more confident, and above all, safer driver.
With flexible policies like Veygo’s, you can get insured on your schedule and start building skills at your own pace. Combining that with support from a trusted supervisor and the official Ready to Pass? resources means you’re giving yourself the best shot at success for passing your test.
Explore learner driver insurance options here.
* Source: https://readytopass.campaign.gov.uk/