Can You Get Car Insurance With Just a Permit?

Drivers who only have a learner’s permit — also known as a driver’s permit, learner’s license and provisional license — can get auto insurance.

But getting coverage can be challenging, with only a handful of companies willing to insure provisional drivers. Since they are still learning how to drive, they’re seen as riskier to insure and are charged higher premiums.

If you’re a teen learning to drive for the first time, MoneyGeek recommends joining your parent’s insurance policy, if possible. And if you drive a car with the owner’s permission, you can be covered under their current plan.

• How to Get Insurance With a Learner’s Permit
• Do You Need Insurance if You Have a Learner's Permit?
• Car Insurance Cost for Provisionals
• Frequently Asked Questions

There are two ways you can get insurance with just a permit:

• You can be added to an existing policy that your spouse or parents have. This method is the most affordable option for teens driving for the first time.
• You can purchase a separate policy — however, keep in mind that your premiums will be significantly higher than average. And if you’re insuring a car that’s under your name, you need to buy a policy under your name.

Provisional drivers don't always need to buy their own policy to get coverage. They can be added to their parent’s or spouse’s policy. For some policies, the driver need not be added to the policy formally — as long as they’re driving the insured car with the owner's permission, that owner’s insurance will cover them.

To add a provisional driver to an existing policy, there are steps you’ll have to complete.

In most cases, provisional drivers don’t have to buy their own car insurance. They can be added to their parent’s or spouse’s policy. For some policies, the driver need not be added to the policy formally — as long as they’re driving the insured car with the owner's permission, that owner’s insurance will cover them.

If you’re thinking of getting car insurance for someone with a learner’s permit by adding the provisional driver to an existing car insurance policy, there are certain steps you’ll have to complete.

Shopping for insurance as provisional driver is similar to getting insurance as a licensed driver.

Older, first-time drivers may have better luck finding car insurance, as they’re viewed as less risky compared to young first-time drivers. It's always best to take stock of your options to find the best car insurance for first-timers.

To illustrate the potential cost difference: the cheapest coverage option for a 40-year-old first-time driver is State Farm, with an average rate of $1,747 per year. A similar policy costs an average of $3,309 for an 18-year-old first-time driver.

Permit drivers do need insurance. Since they’re still learning to drive, they’re at a higher risk of getting into an accident than other drivers.

When deciding how much insurance you need, make sure it meets the minimum car insurance requirements set by the state.

Each state has specific insurance laws. That means the minimum coverage requirements vary depending on where you live. Liability coverage can provide some protection against possible financial loss in the event of an at-fault accident, but full coverage is best because it covers damage to both the car you drive as well the other driver’s vehicle.

That said, needing insurance doesn’t mean provisional drivers have to buy a separate policy. A provisional driver would only need their own coverage if the vehicle they’re using to learn is theirs and only their name is on the title. If you live with a parent or spouse who has their own policy, chances are, their insurance already covers you, or you can be added to it.

Car insurance with a learner’s permit can be expensive. While there are some ways to bring car insurance costs down, it’s best to join someone else’s policy if you can.

Generally, provisional drivers have higher insurance rates than licensed drivers. Insurance for young provisional drivers can be particularly expensive.

Older first-time drivers are seen as less risky to insure, so their rates are generally lower than teen drivers. For instance, a 40-year-old first-time driver pays an average of $2,664 per year. That’s less than half as much as the cost for 18-year-old first-time drivers, which is $6,528.

These rates follow general car insurance trends, where teens pay significantly higher rates for coverage than adults. However, keep in mind that these premiums are averages and insurance rates vary by state.

Many provisional drivers may find permit insurance confusing. To make navigating coverage easier, MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about auto insurance for drivers who only have learner’s permits.