How to Get Car Insurance With No License
How to get car insurance without a license will depend on why you’re not driving.
Having car insurance when you don’t have a license may be a good idea in a few situations: if someone else drives your car, if you need insurance to reinstate your license, if you’re just learning to drive or if your car is in long-term storage.
You may need to use a smaller insurance company and pay more for coverage. But be aware that even with insurance, you can’t legally drive without a valid driver’s license.
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How to get car insurance without a license
You could designate a driver who is licensed, exclude yourself as a driver or find a company who offers specialty insurance for your situation. Special cases include when you need insurance after a DUI, when you have a learner’s permit and when your car is not being driven.
By law, you don't need a license to get insurance. Exactly how you can get coverage depends on why you need insurance and how you’ll use it.
When someone else drives your car
If you don’t drive your car, but your licensed spouse, child or caretaker does, you can designate them as a driver and exclude yourself.
Designating, excluding or adding a driver is something you probably need to call your agent for, but you might be able to do it on an app.
Designate a driver: You can name another person as the primary driver on your full-coverage car insurance. This is the person who will drive the car most of the time. If you and the driver live together, there should be no problem in adding them. But, if you live apart, the company might not allow it, unless the other person also owns the car.
Add the driver to your car’s registration: If you’re comfortable with your driver legally being a co-owner of the car, you can add them to your car’s title and registration. You typically need to file a form with your state’s DMV and pay a small fee to add them.
Tip: If your driver’s license is no longer valid and you need official identification to change your car’s registration, you can use a state-issued ID card instead.
Exclude yourself as a driver: You can specifically remove yourself as a driver from your auto insurance policy. This means if you drive the car at all and something happens, you won’t be covered. If there is any possible reason you’ll need to drive, this isn’t a good option.
If you don’t drive due to medical issues, your driver could get their own insurance policy.
The person driving your car could fully insure the car without it being in their name. Or, they could get what’s called non-owner car insurance, which only provides liability coverage.
When your license is suspended
If your driver’s license is suspended, you’ll likely have to talk with your agent to get a new policy.
A court or your state may require you to get insurance before you’re allowed to drive again.
If your current insurance company doesn’t take on high-risk drivers, you’ll need to find another one to get coverage. Once you have a policy, the company will file an SR-22 form with the state, so your license can be reinstated.
While it’s commonly called SR-22 insurance, an SR-22 is the form showing that you have the required coverage, not the insurance policy itself.
Because high-risk insurance is pricy, it’s especially important to shop around
To lower your SR-22 cost, you should get a few quotes and ask about discounts for autopay, paperless billing, pay-in-full and bundling. You could also complete a class on driving or alcohol education, or work to improve your credit.
When you have a learner’s permit
If you’re an adult with a permit, it might be a challenge to get your own policy. You may have to call around and see if companies will take you and what restrictions they might place on you.
Getting a close friend or family member to add you to their insurance might be easier and cheaper. But insurance companies can require that you live together or co-own the car.
The good news is that any restrictions or high rates for being unlicensed won’t last forever. Getting a license and building a good driving record over time can release any restrictions and decrease your rates.
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When your car is in storage or parked all the time
If you don't have a license but keep a parked or stored car, there's a good chance you'll need to talk with your company to explain the exact situation and find the right policy.
Ask about parked car insurance if the car is kept outside, or stored car insurance if the car is kept inside. Not only will these policies meet any state-required liability insurance, they also typically cover damage from animals, fire, flood, theft or vandalism.
See if you can bundle your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance with parked or stored car insurance.
If you don’t have a license but you're keeping a car as a collectible, consider classic car insurance. Cars at least 30 years-old can qualify.
If you’re an undocumented immigrant and need car insurance
About 3.3% of the US population is undocumented. If you’re part of this group, you can still get a driver’s license in 19 states and Washington, D.C. Outside of those areas, you might still qualify if you are part of the DACA program .
Best insurance for unlicensed drivers
Search online to see what companies offer the type of insurance you’re looking for and give them a call. Talking to an agent is likely the best option because you often can’t get a quote online if you don’t have a license.
It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes for car insurance without a license so you can compare and find the best coverage for the lowest price.
- Access
- Direct Auto
- Infinity
- Geico
- The Hartford
- OnGuard
If you’re having trouble finding insurance, you can look at other non-standard insurance companies or see if state-sponsored auto insurance is right for you.
Frequently asked questions
How can I register a car with no license?
You don't necessarily need a license to register a car. In many states, you can register your vehicle by submitting paperwork, paying a fee and showing proof of insurance.
Can I get car insurance without a driver's license?
Yes, you can buy insurance and register a car without a driver's license, but it's not always easy, and you won’t be able to legally drive the car. You will likely need to add someone else as the primary driver and list yourself as an "excluded" driver on the policy.
Can I get insurance with a suspended license?
Yes, you can get insurance if you have a suspended license. Oftentimes, you need the company to file an SR-22 form with the government saying that you have insurance as part of the process to get your license reinstated.
What's the best way to get insurance without a license?
In general, the best way to get insurance without a license is to call companies that provide no-license car insurance. Talk with the agents, understand the limitations and get several quotes so you can compare coverage options and pricing before deciding on one.
Sources
Information about state requirements for ID documents, driver’s licenses and car registrations comes from state DMV pages. Information about insurance products and qualifications is from the webpages of insurance companies, including Allstate, Geico and Progressive. Other sources include the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Immigration Law Center.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
