Do You Need Car Insurance for a Driving Test?

Is Car Insurance Required to Take a Driving Test?

When you take a driving test, you need coverage that meets your state's minimum insurance requirements. Since these requirements vary, how you meet them may also differ. For example, New Hampshire doesn't require you to carry auto insurance, but you must be able to show you can financially cover the damages resulting from an at-fault accident. Meanwhile, in Florida, you must have at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage, among other requirements.

Just because your state requires insurance doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a policy just to take the test, however. Here are some exceptions where you don't have to carry your own policy to take a driving test:

• Using a friend or family member's insured vehicle: If you're using someone else's car with their permission, you may already be covered. Auto insurance companies call this "permissive use," which means you're covered under the car owner's policy. You may still need to provide proof of insurance for the car you're using, so it's a good idea to have the owner accompany you and bring it when you take the test. Some states don't require the owner to be present for your test as long as you have their permission, so check the rules published by your state's department of motor vehicles (DMV) beforehand to confirm what's needed.
• Taking the test with a driving school's car: Driving schools must maintain active insurance policies on their vehicles to cover their students. That means you typically don't need your own insurance if you use one of their vehicles to take your test.
• Using a rental car: Depending on your state, you may be able to use a rental car to take your driver's test. Check with your DMV before arriving for your test. If you don't have a license, another licensed driver may need to rent the car and come with you to the testing site. You may also need to provide proof of insurance for the rental vehicle.

Do You Need Car Insurance if You Use Your Parent's Car for the Driving Test?

You generally don't need your own car insurance policy if you have your parent's permission to use their car for your driver's test. That's because auto insurance usually follows the car, not the driver. Even if you're not listed on the policy, you should have permissive use coverage to use their car for the test.

Still, it's always wise to check with the insurance provider to determine if you're covered with your permit automatically or if you need to be added to your parent's car insurance policy. If you're not already listed, a parent or guardian can add you as a learner driver. You likely still need to bring proof of insurance to the test since most states require it for your driving test.

However, you may need your own policy if your parent or guardian doesn't have insurance, you live at a different permanent address and aren't attending school, or if you're an adult.

Can You Get Temporary Insurance for a Driving Test?

If you're unable to get coverage through someone else's policy, short-term car insurance could be a good option for the test. As its name suggests, this type of coverage—also known as temporary car insurance—is typically for 30 days or less. This could be more affordable if you just need coverage for the test, since standard insurance policies usually have terms lasting six months to one year. However, if you need coverage beyond test day, you'll want to take out a standard policy.

Bear in mind, short-term car insurance typically only covers liability, which means it pays for damage and injuries you cause to others but won't cover the car you're driving. If you get in an accident during your test, the owner's insurance may cover it if they have collision coverage. If they don't, they'd have to pay out of pocket to repair or replace the vehicle.

Even if you're not legally required to cover the damage, you don't want to leave the car owner stuck with the bill. That's why it's a good idea to check their policy beforehand and consider getting extra coverage if necessary.

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The Bottom Line

Before heading to the DMV or testing site, make sure you have everything in order to avoid any potential issues. Call your DMV or check their website to see what proof of insurance is required. Also, make sure the car you're using meets your state's insurance requirements. If it's not your car, verify your coverage under the owner's policy. Gather up all any paperwork you'll need to bring to the test, including proof of insurance, vehicle registration and your identification.

If you must purchase a short-term or standard policy, shop several insurers to compare coverage options and rates. Experian's car insurance comparison tool can help you save time and money. You'll receive personalized quotes from several top auto insurance companies all in one place for easy comparison.