Learner drivers' insurance

This depends on how you're learning. If you're only learning during driving lessons (through a professional driving school) in your instructor's car, you won't need your own policy as you'll be covered by their insurance. 

However, If you're learning to drive or practicing in another car (for example, your own or a family member's), you'll need to arrange your own insurance. Here you' ve two options to consider:

• Take out a policy in your own name. If you'll be driving the car the most, you'll be considered the main driver so will need to choose this option. This can be an annual policy, or temporary insurance. If you'll be an occasional driver in a different person's car, you could also choose to...

• Become a named driver on someone else's policy. If you won't be the main driver of the car you're learning in, then you can be added as an authorised driver.
  
  You'll get the same cover as the main driver (who'll be the policyholder), but the policy won't be in your name. So note that if you needed to make a claim, the policyholder could lose any no claims discount they'd built up.
  
  If the car is already insured by the car owner, the policyholder can ask their insurer for a quote to add you on, though there may be admin fees to make changes. It's therefore always worth checking if a new policy with a different insurer would work out cheaper. See changing car insurance and named driver insurance for full help.
  
  Warning. Never add someone as a named driver if they're actually the main driver. This is called 'fronting' and is illegal. If you need to claim, this is often checked and your insurance will be invalid if you're caught. You could also face conviction. So don't do it.  

Learner drivers need to be supervised at all times

To drive on the roads before passing your driving test (and ensure you're covered by your learner drivers' insurance policy), you'll need to be at least 17 years old and be supervised at all times by a qualified driver. The definition of who this can be varies per insurer, so always check, however as a general guide it's typically someone who:

• Has held a full UK or EEA driving licence for at least three years.
• Is over the age of 21.
• Is qualified to drive the car you're learning in. For example, if you're driving a manual car, they need to have a manual licence.

If the qualified driver supervising you ever has the need to take over and drive, they'll either need to be the policyholder or named on your car insurance policy.