A learner’s permit offers new drivers a stepping stone to freedom on the roads. While a new driver is getting comfortable on the roads, a learner’s permit typically has restrictions for when they can drive and who can be in the car.
As new drivers get their bearings, a lack of experience can make finding affordable insurance challenging. But, if you are wondering if you can get insurance with a permit, the good news is that you can get car insurance with a permit. We explore all of the details below.
- If you are behind the wheel, you’ll need to carry a minimum amount of car insurance regardless of your license status.
- While it’s possible to get independent insurance with a learner’s permit, purchasing
insurance through a parent’s policy is often significantly cheaper. - If you need an independent car insurance policy with a learner’s permit, your options will be limited.s soon as you get your driver’s license and purchase a car, you must insure it.
What is a learner’s permit or driver’s permit?
A learner’s permit is a restricted license that allows first-time drivers to get behind the wheel and practice before earning an official driver’s license. You must obtain a driver’s permit before legally driving a car. Such permits go by many names, including driver’s permits, learner’s licenses, provisional licenses or minor permits.
With a permit, you can drive under restricted circumstances as long as a fully licensed adult driver accompanies you. Eventually, you will graduate with a full driver’s license. In most states, you can apply for a learner’s permit once you are 15, although this minimum age varies from state to state.
How does a learner’s permit work?
Student drivers can earn a driver’s permit once they fulfill their state’s requirements. In most states, drivers with a learner’s permit are only allowed to drive with a licensed driver who is 21 or older in the front seat. Typically, there are strict requirements for moving violations and renewals in each state.
With a learner’s permit, most states set specific driving restrictions. For example, in some states, permitted drivers can only drive during daylight hours or under a curfew, like 11 p.m.
Florida, for example, has restrictions on passengers who are not family members during a teen’s first three months with a license.
Can you get car insurance with a learner’s permit?
Yes, you need to be covered by an auto insurance policy if you are driving with a learner’s permit. Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance coverage, which means drivers with a learner’s permit need to get a minimum amount of coverage to drive legally.
“Most young drivers with a learner’s permit are likely covered under their parent’s policy, and premiums shouldn’t increase until they are legally licensed,” says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.
If you’re younger than 18, you can’t buy car insurance on your own. If you are a newly licensed driver who’s still a minor and your parents already have a policy, they should add you to their car insurance policy — you can’t purchase car insurance on your own until you’re the age of majority in your state.
Learn about the average car insurance rates for 16-year-olds
How do you get car insurance with a learner’s permit?
Drivers who want car insurance with a learner’s permit can shop for car insurance like any other driver. If you’re driving with a licensed adult in a family member’s car, the family member’s insurance policy should cover you.
The most important thing to do when shopping for car insurance is to get several quotes to ensure you get the best price.
However, it gets tricky – and expensive – if you own a vehicle. Auto insurance companies won’t insure teens younger than the age of majority in your state because an auto policy is a legally binding contract, which you can’t enter until you’re an adult. And if you get your own policy, you’ll be paying high rates – the average price for a 16-year-old driver with a full-coverage policy is $6,757 per year.
| Driver | Teen policy | Parent’s policy with a teen |
|---|---|---|
| 16-year-old female | $6,757 | $3,900 |
| 16-year-old male | $7,541 | $4,200 |
| 17-year-old female | $5,633 | $3,603 |
| 17-year-old male | $6,275 | $3,877 |
What are the car insurance requirements for new drivers?
If you are driving a car—even if you don’t have a driver’s license—you must be insured for the minimum amount required by your state’s laws.
The minimum required coverage levels vary from state to state. But if you don’t carry at least the minimum amount of coverage, it’s illegal to get behind the wheel on public roadways.
Also, remember that if you have a learner’s permit and cause property damage, you’ll face the same consequences as a fully licensed driver. So, drivers with learner’s permits must carry enough car insurance coverage to be fully reimbursed for any losses.
And given their inexperience, higher liability limits – 100/300/100 at the minimum – are recommended.
People also ask
Our child is in the US and wants to apply for a permit. As parents living in Europe, we have to assume liability. Is there any insurance we could buy for the risk? If yes, where?
International students can usually drive in the U.S. as long as they have a driver’s license from their country. If your child needs a U.S. drivers license, he or she can reach out to the Designated School Official (DSO) to help him or her get a permit.
Your child will have to pass vision, written and driving tests to get a license in the U.S. Learn which documents are required to apply for a driver’s license and car insurance in the U.S.
My friend got in a car accident while driving someone else’s car and he only had a permit. He is 17 years old, so what will happen to his permit?
In most cases, a 17-year-old with a learner’s permit may be required to have a licensed adult (typically 21 or older) in the car when driving. If the permit driver violates these restrictions, they could face legal consequences such as fines, license suspension, or other penalties.
The car owner’s insurance typically covers the damages resulting from an accident as long as the driver has permission to use the vehicle. However, if the permit driver was driving without the owner’s permission, this could complicate matters.
Can I supervise a permit driver? I have a restricted license due to a suspension for owing child support.
You may not be able to supervise a permit driver if you have a restricted license due to a suspension for owing child support.
If your license has been suspended due to nonpayment of child support, you may qualify for a restricted driving permit or a hardship license, but this license only allows you to drive to and from work, school, medical appointments, and child visitation. Many states even assign a nighttime curfew.
What types of car insurance are offered to young drivers?
Like older drivers, young drivers can tap into bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage and more. While drivers are often required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, other optional coverages tend to offer additional protection.
Walker says insurers don’t typically sell car insurance policies to drivers with a learner’s permit on their own.
“In some cases, the car insurance company might require you to start the policy with a driver who has a valid license until you have your own license,” she says. “So, you’ll need to shop around for a higher-risk or non-standard company. An independent agent will likely be your best bet.”
Should I buy a separate car insurance policy for my car if I only have a learner’s permit?
Purchasing a separate policy for a driver with a learner’s permit is allowed in most states after they’ve reached the minimum age allowed in their state.
“However, the most cost-effective method is to add the permitted driver to an existing family policy,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute. “A standalone policy could cost you 50 to 100 percent more than adding a permitted driver to an existing family policy.”
Michael Dinich, a personal finance expert, agrees.
“I don’t recommend getting your own separate policy from your parents or family if you only have a learner’s permit. Premiums for brand-new, inexperienced drivers are exorbitantly high,” he says. “It makes far more financial sense to be added to your parents’ existing auto policy as an endorsed driver during the learner’s permit phase.”
How can you save money on car insurance with a learner’s permit?
If you have a learner’s permit, the best way to save money on car insurance is to be added to the policy that covers your household. This will be a parent’s auto insurance policy for most new drivers.
Car insurance is expensive for new drivers, especially if they are young. It will be much more costly to purchase a policy in your name than to be added to another car insurance policy as a driver with a learner’s permit. However, it is crucial to note that their rates will increase if you are added as a new driver to a parent’s policy.
“New drivers should get quotes from multiple companies to compare,” says Ryan McEachron, CEO of ISU Insurance Services. “When shopping around, check companies’ ratings and be sure the policy meets your state’s minimum requirements. The cheapest option isn’t always the best if coverage is lacking.”
New drivers can also help their parents save money on auto insurance by qualifying for discounts. For example, insurers often offer discounts for good students, drivers who take a recognized driving education course and safe drivers.
Can you buy and register a car with a learner’s permit?
Yes. As long as you have the funds, you can purchase a vehicle, even if you don’t have a driver’s license. However, it’s a better idea to have a parent purchase the vehicle for the teen to drive. Minors can’t sign any kind of legally-binding contract, including an auto loan.
And you probably can’t register the car until you get a license. Rules differ from state to state. Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to determine registration requirements.
Remember, registering a car and driving it are two different things. To legally drive a car, you must have a driver’s license.
Final thoughts: Car insurance for drivers with a learner’s permit
When you learn to drive a car, it opens a new world of possibilities. You need car insurance to drive, but companies may require you to be added to a parent’s policy if you are going to drive their car with a permit.
FAQ: Car insurance for drivers with learner’s permits
Do drivers with learner’s permits need car insurance in California?
All vehicles in California must be insured before they can be driven on the state’s roads. It is illegal for anyone to drive a car that is not insured. California also requires liability insurance to register a vehicle.
Who can be in the car with a learner’s permit driver?
There are many restrictions on those with a driving permit. Laws vary from state to state. But in many places, a driver with a learner’s permit must be accompanied by a fully licensed adult.
Can you have a minor in the car with a permitted driver?
Minors are not allowed to ride in cars driven by those with only a learner’s permit. Again, the rules vary by state, so check with your local jurisdiction.
How much car insurance coverage does a learner’s permit driver need?
The amount of insurance coverage you may need if you have a learner’s permit will depend on your individual circumstances. But you must at least have liability coverage limits that meet your state’s minimum requirements, according to Mark Friedlander with the Insurance Information Institute.
He recommends purchasing liability coverage at limits that can cover your family’s assets if you, the permitted driver, are responsible for causing an accident that leads to injuries or fatalities of other parties or property damage. Experts often recommend erring on the side of overprotection, which means having comprehensive collision insurance in place as well.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles “Licensing Requirements for Teens, Graduated Driver License Laws and Curfews.” Accessed September 2024.
- Insurance Information Institute “How to save money on car insurance.” Accessed September 2024
- California Department of Insurance. “Automobile Insurance Information Guide.” Accessed September 2024.
- Colorado Department of Revenue. “Registration Requirements.” Accessed September 2024.
- Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. “Vehicle Services Titling.” Accessed September 2024.
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. “Identity Requirements for Vehicle Registration.” Accessed September 2024.
- Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed September 2024.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to field rates for auto coverage data by ZIP code for 16-year-old and 17-year-old drivers. The hypothetical drivers have a 12-mile commute and 10,000 annual mileage for a Honda Accord LX. The data come from 170 companies, 34,588 ZIP codes and 53,409,632 auto insurance quotes.
The car insurance rate for the teen added to the parent’s policy includes coverage for one family car owned and insured by the parents. This data comprehensively compares car insurance costs for teenage drivers as independent policyholders and when added to a parent’s existing policy.
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