Updated: April 16, 2025
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You can get car insurance without a driver's license. However, you'll likely be excluded from driving the insured car and removed from the policy's coverage.
If your driver's license is suspended, you'll likely need an SR-22 form, which your auto insurer can file for you.
For more flexible options, consider smaller insurance companies or brokers, but expect higher rates.
You can buy car insurance without a license. But without it, insurers won't have access to your driving record to assess your risk level. You may be considered a higher risk, potentially increasing insurance rates.
To get coverage, list a licensed driver on your policy or get excluded yourself. Consider SR-22 insurance for a suspended license, non-owners insurance for borrowed cars, or parked car coverage for your classic vehicle.
You can get car insurance with a suspended license by filing an SR-22 form, which your insurer submits to prove you have coverage. This form is essential if your license has been suspended. However, it verifies your coverage rather than acting as an insurance policy. Not all insurers offer this service.
If you don't own a vehicle but still need proof of coverage, a non-owner SR-22 policy is an option. This type of insurance is generally more affordable, with an average annual cost of $576 for drivers with a prior accident.
You can list a licensed family member or friend as the primary driver, exclude yourself from the policy or seek specialized providers.
Other options include opting for parked car insurance, adding a co-owner to the vehicle's registration, fulfilling SR-22 or FR-44 requirements and consulting with insurance agents for a tailored solution.
Add a licensed family member, friend or roommate as the primary driver on your policy.
A primary driver is the licensed person who drives the vehicle most often. You can exclude yourself from the policy, which means you won't have coverage if you drive. Driving without a license and insurance is against the law and can lead to serious penalties.
Adding a licensed co-owner who becomes the primary driver on your insurance policy lets you insure your car even if you don't have a license. Check your state's DMV rules to see if co-ownership is allowed for your situation.
Comprehensive-only or parked car insurance suits those who don't use their vehicle for a while, like during extended travel or for a seldom-used secondary vehicle. It covers risks like theft and weather damage but not driving incidents.
Talk to multiple insurance agents to explore your options. They can guide you through the process and help you find coverage that fits your needs.
Insurance providers need your driver's license to assess risk and set your premium. Your license shows your driving history, including accidents and violations. It also proves you can legally drive — a basic requirement for most policies.
Insurers see you as a high risk when you apply for insurance without a license. They have less information to judge your driving habits. This might raise your premiums or make it harder to get coverage.
You might need auto insurance even without a valid driver's license if you own a vehicle that others drive, have a suspended license or own a classic or stored car that needs protection.
Maintaining car insurance can be a smart financial move, even if you’re not actively driving. Here’s why:
You can buy car insurance for a teen driver or family member who can't get it themselves.
If you can't drive yourself and someone else drives for you, you can list them as the primary driver.
Permit drivers need car insurance to drive legally. You can buy coverage without a driver's license if you can't join someone else's policy.
Comprehensive-only insurance or parked car insurance covers nondriving incidents like theft or natural disasters.
Classic car insurance provides specialized coverage for vintage cars not regularly driven.
If you're visiting the U.S. without a local license, a temporary car insurance policy can cover you while driving rented or borrowed vehicles. Some states accept foreign licenses, while others require foreign drivers to get an international driving permit.
Driving without a valid license is illegal, and insurance companies won't provide coverage. If caught, you could face fines, penalties or jail time.
Your insurer won't cover the damages if you cause an accident without a valid license. This means you’ll be responsible for all costs. In some cases, buying car insurance without a license may make sense, but never drive without one.
While many online car insurance estimate tools require a driver's license number, you can still get an estimate without one. Contacting an agent, insurance broker or smaller insurer directly may help you find the right coverage.
Direct agents represent a single insurance provider and can explain that company's specific policy offerings. If the insurer provides coverage for drivers without a license, a direct agent can help you find a suitable policy.
To help find the right policy, consider contacting an independent insurance broker. Independent brokers can offer quotes from multiple insurers, helping you find the best fit for your needs and budget. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America can connect you with a network of agents in your area.
Smaller insurance companies often have more flexible rules and may offer policies to drivers without a license. They might provide specialized or nonstandard coverage that better fits your needs.
Does one of these unlicensed scenarios apply to you? MoneyGeek provides resources to help you find insurers that meet your needs.
Car insurance without a driver's license is possible, and understanding your coverage options is key to finding the right policy. Whether you're insuring a vehicle you don't drive, covering a teen driver or meeting SR-22 requirements, solutions like naming a primary driver, parked car insurance and non-owner policies can help. While major insurers may have strict requirements, smaller companies and brokers offer more flexibility.
If you're wondering about auto insurance without a license, here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
You can get auto insurance without a license by listing a licensed primary driver on the policy, purchasing non-owner insurance or opting for parked car insurance.
You can buy car insurance for someone else, such as a family member or employee, by listing them as the primary driver on the policy.
Car insurance without a license is more expensive due to the increased risk insurers associate with insuring a vehicle without a licensed primary driver.
Foreigners can drive in the U.S. with a valid license from their home country, but rules vary by state. For instance, New Jersey requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) with a foreign license, while New York accepts foreign licenses without an IDP unless the driver becomes a resident.
Why Trust MoneyGeek?
MoneyGeek analyzes data from Quadrant Information Services and state insurance departments, comparing rates for various driver profiles and locations. This approach highlights how much car insurance rates can differ between companies, even for the same profile.
Study Overview
Car insurance rates vary based on factors such as the insurer, age, gender, vehicle, location, credit score and driving history. MoneyGeek collected data on these variables to calculate and compare average rates, providing insights into how insurers set prices.
Data Sources and Analysis
MoneyGeek’s data includes 83,056 quotes from 46 companies across 473 ZIP codes. The data was sourced from Quadrant Information Services and state insurance departments, ensuring accuracy and depth.
Driver Profiles
MoneyGeek used the following sample driver profile to calculate average rates unless stated otherwise:
We adjusted the profile by age, gender, location, vehicle type, credit score and driving history to calculate averages for different scenarios and needs.
Coverage Levels and Deductibles
Average rates are based on a 100/300/100 policy with a $1,000 deductible unless otherwise specified.
A 100/300/100 policy provides:
A $1,000 deductible means you pay $1,000 out of pocket before insurance covers the rest. Higher deductibles usually result in lower premiums.
MoneyGeek also calculated rates for alternative coverage levels, such as:
The rates reflect payment options for annual, semi-annual or monthly billing.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
