Can You Get Car Insurance without a Driver’s License?

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Written by Sarah Sharkey Edited by Quiana Darden Reviewed by Amanda Clear

Updated January 4, 2023

The idea of buying car insurance even though you do not have a driver’s license might sound strange at first. After all, it’s illegal to drive without a license. 

Why would you need to have insurance if you aren’t going to be driving? You could find that getting insurance could still be in your best interests, though.

Key Takeaways:

• Many insurance companies don’t offer car insurance policies to unlicensed drivers. However, you may be able to purchase an insurance policy without a valid driver’s license if you own a vehicle other people will drive.
• Some states will require you to list at least one licensed driver to purchase an insurance policy for the vehicle you wish to ensure.
• Listing yourself as an excluded driver on your auto policy can make it easier to get car insurance for your vehicle, especially if you’re prevented from driving for health reasons.

What Is Unlicensed Driver’s Insurance?

Unlicensed driver’s insurance is a special type of coverage for car owners that do not have a license and who do not plan to drive their vehicle. However, it’s not always easy to get this type of coverage. 

One of the first things most insurance companies will ask for when you are looking for insurance is a driver’s license number. Providers often see insuring people without a license as being a risk. There are times when it is necessary to have this type of insurance, though.

When Do You Need Unlicensed Driver’s Insurance?

Below are some of the most common reasons that you might need to have car insurance even though you do not have a driver’s license.

When You Own a Vehicle that Other People will Drive

This is one of the most common reasons to get insurance without a driver’s license. If you have a vehicle that other people will be driving, it still needs to be insured. Since you are the owner of the vehicle, you will want to be sure that you have proper coverage for those who will be behind the wheel.

One example would be if you have health issues. You may have a caregiver that needs to take you to doctor’s appointments and to run errands. Having insurance for the car you own, with your caregiver included as a driver on the policy, provides you with the protection needed. Additionally, those who have chauffeurs and personal drivers for other reasons may want to have their own insurance for the vehicles they own. It will provide protection for the vehicle, even if you are not the one driving it.

Because insurance companies typically require a driver’s license number, you can list another licensed driver as the primary driver. Because of this, you will use their license number when you request the quote. Additionally, you can exclude yourself from coverage.

When You Need Insurance for an Underage Driver

Many states will not allow those under 18 to sign a contract. This means they can’t get auto insurance of their own. If you have a teenager that will be driving, you may need to be included on their auto insurance policy. These policies tend to be costly for young people, as well. It is often a good idea to look for companies that can provide good rates for students.

When You Have a Classic Car You Need to Protect

Classic cars can be a lot of fun, and the vehicles can make a nice investment. Often, classic car owners do not want to drive the vehicle, though. Instead, they collect the vehicle because of the value, or perhaps for sentimental reasons. If you own a classic car, such as a ’67 Mustang Fastback, an old Studebaker, or any other vehicle that you love, you want to protect it. Although you will not need to have collision or personal injury coverage if the vehicle is not being driven, you still need protection from loss.

Policies for this type of coverage are often sold through specialty insurance providers. When you are searching for insurance, you should make it a point to see if they can offer coverage for these types of vehicles. Also, make sure the company can provide insurance for unlicensed drivers. It is often possible to include standard auto coverage in the event you do get a license and want to drive the vehicle at some point.

When You Have a Suspended License and Need to Prevent a Lapse in Coverage

Lapses in insurance coverage can cause problems. If you do not insure a vehicle you own, you may find that you end up with an increase in premiums the next time you buy insurance. If you have a license that is suspended, you will want to maintain coverage. 

Sometimes, a license will be suspended if you don’t have insurance. Most of the time, an insurance company will let you buy insurance if your license has been suspended. Before you can get the license reinstated, you will usually need to have an SR-22 from the insurance company that shows the state you have the required insurance.

Why Would You Want to Insure a Vehicle You Can’t Drive?

As you have seen from the examples above, there are plenty of reasons that you might need to have unlicensed driver’s insurance. 

When you own a vehicle, it is an investment. You need to do what you can to protect that investment. Although you might not be out on the road and driving, the vehicle still needs protection. 

Consider what might happen if the vehicle was stolen, vandalized, or if someone were to hit your vehicle and flee. Although it might not be as common as getting standard auto coverage, it may be something you need.

Take the time to learn more about the various factors you need to understand with this type of insurance. While it’s not the typical type of coverage that most people will need, there are plenty of good options available. 

And if you need to have coverage without a license, you may find what you need when you sort through the options with Compare.com.

How Do You Exclude Drivers from a Policy?

If you need to have insurance for your vehicle, but you will not be the one driving the vehicle, you can exclude yourself from coverage. Drivers who are excluded are those you name on the car insurance policy as being prohibited from driving your vehicle.

You can name someone else as the primary driver of the vehicle. This tends to be easier if the person lives with you. If the driver does not live with you, the insurance companies might be more reluctant to provide coverage. 

You can explain to them why you want to list someone else as the primary, and they may provide you with coverage. You could also co-title the vehicle with the person who will be driving. This makes it easier to list them as the primary driver.

It is important to keep in mind that not all insurance providers will allow you to include a primary driver that is not yourself. You will need to shop around and look at reviews to find companies that will allow you to do this. Larger companies will often turn away those who are not the primary drivers. You may have better luck with some of the smaller companies.

Where Can You Get Auto Insurance without a License?

A quick look online will show you that there appear to be countless insurance companies available. That means it can be difficult to sort through all of the options and to find the insurance that you need as an unlicensed driver. 

Rather than trying to navigate these waters on your own, you can instead visit Compare.com. You can pinpoint the insurance companies that can provide you with the coverage you need. Then, you can easily compare them to one another to find the provider that is suitable for you.

When comparing auto insurance, you will want to consider a range of factors. In this situation, you need to first find those companies that allow you to buy a policy even if you do not have a license. You also need to check to see the types and amount of coverage that are offered through the company. Finally, you need to check the price of the insurance. 

Although you want cheap car insurance, you also need to be sure that they can provide you with the coverage you need. The specifics of each of these factors will vary from one provider to the next. Know what you need, so you can compare like-to-like and find the best solution for your needs.

Can You Get Auto Insurance with a Suspended License?

You will generally be able to get auto insurance when you have a suspended license. Not all insurance companies will offer this option, though. It will often depend on the circumstances surrounding the suspension. If you are considered a high-risk driver, it will be more difficult to get coverage with a suspended license.

Often, you will be required to get either a restricted license or to have SR-22 insurance. Your provider will file the SR-22 with the DMV to show that you have the needed auto coverage in your state. However, you’ll still want to compare the rates with multiple insurance companies to ensure you are finding the best possible rates for this type of insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Unlicensed Drivers Insurance

Can I insure a car under someone else’s policy?

Yes, it is often possible to insure a vehicle under another person’s policy. The policyholder will need to add the car as an additional interest to their policy. Keep in mind that not all insurance companies offer this option. In some cases, if someone else will insure the car, you may have to co-title the vehicle in their name. It is important to make your situation clear to the insurance company.

Should I still keep my car insurance if I own a car but no longer have a license?

Every situation is different, but it is typically a good idea to keep your car insurance. If you have a lapse in coverage, it could be more expensive to insure the vehicle the next time you need a policy. Additionally, you will still want to be sure that your vehicle is protected. If someone else will be driving the vehicle, you will want to have insurance, as well.

How do I get car insurance if I don’t have a license and someone else will drive me around?

If you don’t have your license, you should still consider insurance if you own a vehicle. If you will be driven around by a caregiver, a private driver, or a family member, you need coverage for the vehicle. Some of the insurance providers can allow you to exclude yourself and name another primary driver on the policy. This is not always the case, though. 

Sometimes, you will need to add the other driver on a co-title for the vehicle. It will then be easier to name them as the primary on the insurance policy. 

Some insurance companies might still have a problem with this method. You will want to talk with the insurance company and let them know your specific situation.

Who’s allowed to be a primary driver on a car insurance policy?

Typically, the owner of the vehicle who buys the insurance policy will be the primary driver. However, if you do not have a license, you won’t be the primary. 

In this case, you can name someone else as the primary. Most insurance companies want the primary to be someone who lives in the same household as you. Anyone who lives in the household can be named, as long as they have a license. 

If you need to name someone outside of the house as the primary, it can be more difficult. In those cases, co-titling the vehicle with them could make it easier.

How do I add a named or primary driver to my policy? 

You will need to speak with your insurance company about adding a named or primary driver to your policy. There may be different requirements or rules depending on the insurance provider. Some, for example, will not allow another primary to be named if they do not live in the same home. 

If you are the main policyholder, you should be able to add named drivers to the policy without any trouble, but you still want to check the requirements of your insurance provider.

Sarah Sharkey Auto Insurance Writer

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer and auto insurance who loves diving into the details to help readers make savvy life choices. She has written for numerous publications, including Business Insider, SmartAsset, and Rocket Mortgage.