Need short term insurance with a foreign driving licence?
If you are visiting the UK, or returning for a short stay, you might want to borrow a car from a friend or family member while you are here. Insurance is required by law, and in many cases you can apply for short term cover using a driving licence issued in one of the following countries:
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
New Zealand
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
How to apply
Getting a quote usually takes only a few moments. You will need either the registration number of the car or its make, model and year. Basic details such as your date of birth, the type of licence you hold, and how long you want cover for will also be required.
You will be asked for a postcode as part of the process. This should be the address where you are staying in the UK, or somewhere you can be contacted, rather than your overseas home address.
To complete the application you will need your passport and licence details. If everything is accepted, you can choose when the policy begins, either straight away or at a set time in the near future. Each day of cover provides a full 24 hours.
What type of cover would you get?
Cover for driving within the UK is normally comprehensive. If the vehicle is taken into the rest of the European Union, the level of cover may reduce to the minimum required by law, similar to third party only. This is less common with very short policies, but it can still apply.
The policy generally allows for social, domestic and pleasure use, commuting, and some business use, provided no goods or passengers are carried for hire or reward. Certain activities, such as carrying scrap metal or work linked to the motor trade, are usually excluded. Journeys must begin and end in the UK, so this type of policy is not suitable for importing or exporting vehicles.
What type of car can be insured?
The vehicle must be registered in the UK and usually kept here, so cars brought in from abroad are not eligible. Insurers tend to favour standard small or medium cars, along with some light vans. Larger or higher value vehicles may be accepted, although limits can apply, often with a maximum payout in the region of £45,000 if the vehicle is written off.
Acceptance can depend on several factors, so the only reliable way to check is to run a quote.
How are documents provided?
Once the policy is arranged, you are sent a link to your documents, including the insurance certificate. These can be downloaded and printed if you wish. While it is not a legal requirement to carry paper copies, it is sensible to keep access to them on your phone in case you need to confirm that you are insured.