Take a privately sold car out on the road with cover in your own name, from as little as an hour.
A car can look perfect on the driveway and feel very different at 50mph. Getting insurance for test drive appointments means you can take a private seller’s car out properly, with fully comprehensive cover that’s separate from their policy. If the drive goes well, you’ll know exactly what you’re buying.
Long enough for a proper test drive, without paying for days you don’t need.
A claim goes on your policy, not the seller’s, so their own insurance and No Claims Discount aren’t affected.
Quote in about three minutes using the car’s registration, even from the seller’s driveway.
Yes. Whenever you drive on a public road, you must be insured for that car, and a test drive is no exception. It doesn’t matter that you’re only going round the block or that the seller is in the passenger seat.
Where you’re buying from makes a difference. Dealers usually have motor trade insurance that covers customers on test drives, though it’s worth asking what the conditions are. Private sellers are different: their own policy may not cover someone else driving, and even if it does, a claim would land on their record.
Some buyers assume their own annual policy has them covered. A few policies include ‘driving other cars’ cover, but it’s increasingly uncommon and usually third party only, so damage to the seller’s car wouldn’t be covered. Check your certificate rather than guessing.
Temporary insurance for test drive purposes works like any other Covrly policy. You enter the registration of the car you’re viewing, your own details and how long you want cover for. Many buyers choose an hour or two, which leaves time for a proper drive and a good look round the car.
Your documents are emailed straight away and your details are added to the Motor Insurance Database. You can show the seller your certificate before you take the keys, which tends to make the viewing more relaxed for everyone.
Because the policy is standalone and fully comprehensive, it doesn’t rely on the seller’s insurance at all. If you clip a kerb, or worse, you claim on your own policy, subject to the excess and terms.
A good test drive is about more than whether you like the colour. Use the time to find out how the car really behaves:
Our guide to test drive insurance for private sales has more on what to ask the seller before you even set off.
Your insurance covers you, but the car also needs to be road legal. Check it’s taxed and has a valid MOT if it’s old enough to need one; you can look up both online using the registration. A car with no current MOT may only be driven to a pre-booked MOT test, which rules out a casual test drive.
If anything feels off, such as the seller being unable to show the logbook, details not matching or reluctance to let you drive, it’s often wiser to walk away. There will be other cars.
Once money changes hands, the rules change. Since October 2014, vehicle tax doesn’t transfer to a new keeper, so the seller’s tax ends when they tell the DVLA about the sale. You’ll need to tax the car yourself before driving it away, and you can only tax it once it’s insured.
That’s where drive away insurance comes in. A separate temporary policy can get the car home or cover the weeks until your annual policy starts. Our drive away insurance page walks through the steps in order.
Yes. You must be insured for any car you drive on a public road, including on a test drive. A dealer’s trade policy may cover you, but for a private sale you’ll usually need your own cover.
Not necessarily. Many private policies only cover named drivers, and even where you are covered, a claim would go on the seller’s record. A temporary policy in your own name avoids both problems.
Dealers usually have motor trade insurance for customer test drives, so you may not need separate cover. Ask the dealer what their insurance includes before you drive.
An hour or two is usually enough for a thorough test drive. Each policy is for a specific car, so if you’re viewing several cars you’ll need cover for each one you drive.
Before you drive it away, you’ll need to tax the car yourself, because tax doesn’t transfer from the seller, and make sure your cover suits the journey ahead. Many buyers take out a separate drive away policy for the trip home.
You’ll need the car’s registration, your UK driving licence details and some basic personal information. The quote takes around three minutes and your documents are emailed straight away.