How To Get Auto Insurance Without a License (2024)

There are many reasons why you might need car insurance when you don’t have a valid driver’s license. For example, if your driver’s license gets suspended or you don’t drive for health reasons, you can still get car insurance.

So, do you need a driver’s license to get car insurance? Not always, but finding an insurance company willing to work with you can be difficult, though not impossible. Depending on your situation, you might have to add someone else to your insurance policy or alter your current coverage plan.

Keep reading to learn more about why someone without a license might need car insurance and the options available.

Can you get car insurance without a license?

Getting car insurance is possible if you don’t have a driver’s license. Most insurance companies will require extra steps, and coverage can be more expensive. Insurers see risk in an unlicensed driver because there’s no way to access your driving history.

Below we’ve outlined different options for getting auto insurance for a non-licensed driver.

Get an SR-22 Certificate

One of the most common reasons you might need to buy car insurance without a license is if your license gets suspended. You could get a driver’s license suspension for many reasons, usually due to bad driving habits.

In this case, you may need to file an SR-22 form proving to the state that you carry liability insurance before they reinstate your license. Some insurance companies offer SR-22 certificates to high-risk drivers, but not all. 

If the state requires you to have an SR-22 certificate, ensure each insurance company you consider offers this form.

List Someone Else as the Primary Driver

Let’s say you own a vehicle, but someone else usually drives it, like a family member or friend who chauffeurs you around because you can’t drive. You could list that person as the primary driver on your insurance policy.

You can also list them as a joint driver, but some insurers require them to be a part of your household. Contact your insurance agent to add another driver to your policy. The representative will need the driver’s personal information and driver’s license number. 

Remember that you must be on the policy as the car owner, but you can ask to list yourself as an excluded driver.

List Yourself as an Excluded Driver

It can be difficult to buy auto insurance if you don’t have a valid driver’s license. If you lost your driver’s license, you could ask an insurance company to exclude you as a driver on the policy. Again, you’ll need to add someone else as a primary driver.

Not all insurance companies allow drivers to do this, so ask up front when speaking with a representative.

If you already have insurance, call your agent and ask if you can exclude yourself and set someone else as a primary driver. The excluded driver is not allowed to operate the vehicle in any way and isn’t covered if an accident occurs.

List a Vehicle Co-Owner

You could also add a co-owner to your vehicle. When you add a co-owner to your vehicle, you should also add them to your insurance policy.

Once you get your driver’s license back, contact your insurance company to have the exclusion removed. Then, you can drive the vehicle again with a valid license. 

Consider Parked Car Insurance

If you own a vehicle parked in storage, you’ll need insurance for it. Parked car coverage, also known as stored car insurance, only provides comprehensive coverage. 

Comprehensive insurance covers vehicle damage in a non-collision-related event. Some common incidents where comprehensive coverage kicks in are as follows:

• Fire
• Flood
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Damage from rodents or wild animals

Leaving your vehicle parked in a garage for a long time can be risky, and comprehensive coverage gives you peace of mind knowing that if anything happens, you’re covered. 

Insurance companies don’t typically require a valid driver’s license for parked-car insurance since the vehicle won’t be on the road. In addition, if you take the car for a drive, it won’t be covered by insurance if you get into an accident.

Why would I need to buy auto insurance without a driver’s license?

There are more reasons than you might think for needing car insurance when you don’t have a driver’s license. Whether you can’t drive due to age, a health reason, or bad driving choices, you’ll still need insurance if you own a vehicle.

You Can’t Drive Due to Health Reasons

Some health conditions leave people unable to drive, either permanently or for a period of time. Car owners should still consider protection, even if their car remains parked. 

If you allow your insurance policy to lapse, you might see a rate increase when reinstating your policy. It’s important to keep insurance for any vehicle you own, even when not in use.

Someone Else Drives You Around

Another common reason someone might be unable to drive is that they’ve reached an age where they aren’t comfortable driving, or their license gets suspended. Often, a younger relative or caregiver drives them to and from appointments and elsewhere.

Even if you’re not the vehicle’s main driver, you still always need car insurance. 

You may also notice a rate increase once you turn 65 years old. Take a look at the table below for average annual rates for seniors.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates for Senior Drivers by Age & Gender

Listing another person as the vehicle’s primary driver may lower your rates, but it may not be an option with every insurance company. Always check with your insurer to see if adding another person will help lower your premium. 

You’re a Student Driver With a Permit

Teen drivers will first receive a learner’s permit before their actual license while learning to drive. While student drivers typically learn on a guardian’s already insured vehicle, you should insure your vehicle if it isn’t.

Most insurance companies want the student driver listed on the policy, and adding them won’t raise rates until they receive their valid driver’s license. 

However, once these young drivers get their licenses, parents will see a significant rate increase. Look at the table below for average annual rates for adding a teen driver to your policy.

Auto Insurance Average Rates for Parent and Teen Drivers by Provider

There’s no way around paying more for first-time drivers — they have little to no experience on the road. However, rates will decrease as drivers age and gain experience.

Shop around and compare insurance quotes without a license from multiple insurance companies to see which company will offer you the lowest teen driving rates.

Your Student Driver Drives the Vehicle But You Don’t

It’s also tradition to gift a vehicle to your teenager on their 16th birthday. Often, this vehicle is purchased before that birthday so that the teen can practice driving in it, or it’s sitting somewhere waiting to be a surprise.

Even if no one is driving the vehicle, it still needs insurance. Almost every state requires drivers to show proof of insurance before registering the vehicle at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If your teenager isn’t old enough to be on their own policy, add them to yours, or someone else’s who is 18 or older.

You Have a Suspended Driver’s License

As stated earlier, if your license gets suspended or revoked due to a DUI or bad driving habits, you might be required to show proof of insurance through an SR-22 certificate. Your insurance company issues this form to prove to the state you have the minimum amount of insurance required by law.

If you can’t drive due to a suspended driver’s license, but someone else is driving your vehicle, ensure you still have insurance on it. You also want to avoid any lapse in insurance coverage. 

Your Own a Vehicle You Don’t Drive

If you own a classic car that sits in your garage and never gets out on the road, you still need to have insurance on it. Chances are that you place a high personal value on your vehicle and don’t want anything to happen to it, even if it’s not your primary mode of transportation.

Comprehensive insurance covers any damage to your vintage vehicle while sitting idle. It also covers the vehicle if it gets stolen.

Car Insurance Without a License: The Bottom Line

No matter the reason, if you don’t have a valid driver’s license but own a vehicle, it still needs insurance. You can purchase comprehensive coverage by itself to protect a car that sits idle in a garage and doesn’t get out on the road.

If your license gets suspended, you might be required to obtain an SR-22 certificate before driving again.

You can also add someone else as a primary or joint driver to your insurance policy. If you’re a brand new driver, add yourself to your parent or guardian’s insurance once you begin driving with your permit.

Some companies are hesitant to offer car insurance for a non-licensed driver, but many offer options to help protect you and your vehicle. Always shop around with multiple insurance companies to find a policy and quote that best fits your needs.