7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
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Cheapest recent rates
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $34/mo for liability only and $40/mo for full coverage.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on April 24, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from April 24, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on April 24, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from April 24, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Getting car insurance is more difficult without a driver’s license, it’s still typically possible in most situations. Whether you’re buying the vehicle for a family member or you collect classic cars, you may need car insurance without a license for plenty of reasons. Not every insurer will work with you though, so you may need to compare car insurance companies before buying.
Quick Facts
You can get car insurance without a valid driver’s license.
Most states require you to carry auto insurance if you own a car.
You’ll need to bring your ID with you when you register your vehicle.
How to get car insurance without an active license
If you don’t have an active driver’s license, the process of getting car insurance will differ based on the insurance company you choose to work with.
Below are four strategies you can pursue:
Shop for an insurance company that’ll offer you a policy. Not all insurance companies provide policies to unlicensed drivers. You may need to do some research to find out which insurance companies in your state will work with you.
Exclude yourself as a driver on the policy. If you have a licensed driver who plans to use the vehicle regularly, you can add them as the primary driver to the insurance policy. Know that when you exclude yourself as a driver, any incidents while driving the vehicle won’t be covered.
Get parked-car insurance (comprehensive-only coverage). If no one is going to drive the vehicle, consider getting parked-car insurance. With this type of insurance, comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle.
Add a licensed driver to your vehicle registration. If you’re struggling to find an insurance company that will sell you a policy, consider adding a licensed driver to your vehicle’s title. For example, you may add a partner who plans to use the vehicle with a valid driver’s license.[1]
Getting car insurance with a suspended license
If your license gets suspended, you may need to provide proof of a specific level of car insurance before you can get back on the road.[2] Some states require that you obtain an increased level of insurance with an SR-22 or FR-44 form from your insurance company.
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Do you need car insurance if you don’t have a license?
Most states require you to have car insurance on your vehicle even if you don’t have a license. You should consider buying car insurance in the following circumstances:
Someone drives the vehicle: If anyone plans to drive the vehicle, you’ll need coverage.
License reinstatement: If you plan on upgrading from a learner’s permit or the state will soon reinstate your license, carrying insurance on the vehicle could make sense.
You collect vehicles: While you might not drive your collection, you’ll likely want car insurance to protect these assets. In this case, you might choose to only carry comprehensive coverage.
Buying a car without a license
It’s possible to purchase a vehicle without a driver’s license, but you won’t be able to legally drive it without a valid driver’s license. This includes taking the vehicle for a test drive or driving it home.
How to register a car without a license
Every state has its own car registration process. You’ll need to head to your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) to officially register your vehicle. Be prepared to provide proof of insurance and a government-issued ID.
It’s common for vehicle owners to use their driver’s license as their photo ID, but you can finalize the registration process in some states without a driver’s license. However, you’ll likely need to present some form of ID.[3]
If you aren’t sure about your state’s rules, find out more directly from your DMV.
How a suspended license affects your car insurance rates
If you’ve had a suspended license, you may face higher insurance premiums once you get back on the road. This is especially true if you lost your license because of a significant driving infraction. For example, drivers tend to pay significantly more for car insurance after getting multiple speeding tickets or a DUI.[4]
The following table illustrates the effect a DUI, speeding tickets, or an at-fault accident can have on full-coverage car insurance rates from some top national insurers. Depending on where you live, losing your license may be a consequence of these infractions.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company
Clean Record
Speeding Tickets
DUI
At-Fault Accident
USAA
100
114
155
123
State Farm
116
128
180
139
Allstate
138
157
214
170
Progressive
143
179
222
191
Direct Auto
198
242
307
262
Liberty Mutual
205
275
318
293
Farmers
249
285
386
307
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
If you’re facing higher auto insurance rates, take some time to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. Every insurance company has a slightly different method of determining premiums, so the only way to find the best possible rate is to shop around. Other strategies for finding a better rate include raising your deductible, reducing your coverage levels, and bundling your policies.[5]
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Car insurance without a license FAQs
Getting car insurance without a license can be challenging. Below, you’ll find answers to some commonly asked questions about securing coverage without a license.
Who should you list as the primary driver if you buy car insurance without a license?
You should list the person who will use the car most when selecting the primary driver for an auto insurance policy. For example, you may list your partner who uses the vehicle to get to work each day, or you might list your teenage driver if they’re the only ones with a valid license in the household.
Do you need car insurance without a license?
Whether or not you need car insurance without a license varies based on your situation. If anyone will be driving the vehicle, the owner must obtain a car insurance policy. You might need to pay for auto insurance, even if you don’t plan on driving the car yourself.
Can you get a license plate without a license?
In some cases, yes. The process of getting a license plate varies in each state. You’ll typically need to provide documents like the vehicle’s title, proof of insurance, and your driver’s license to get a license plate.
But in some states, obtaining a license plate without a license may be possible. Contact your state’s DMV to find out what you’ll need to bring.
Is it more expensive to insure a car without a license?
It can be. The driving record tied to a driver’s license can significantly affect insurance premiums. If you don’t have a driver’s license, the insurance company will use the driving record of the primary driver listed on the policy. In other cases, the insurance company may charge you a higher premium.
When should you get car insurance on a car you can’t drive?
You should consider getting car insurance on a vehicle you can’t drive if anyone is planning to drive the vehicle. For example, you might get car insurance if someone drives you around in the vehicle, a minor is driving the vehicle, or you plan to drive the vehicle once the state reinstates your license.
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
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