Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License?
Most auto insurance companies won’t sell a policy to an unlicensed driver. Here’s why—and how to navigate the difficult situations involved.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
It’s usually impossible to get car insurance without a license, but in certain circumstances, you can find a company willing to work with you.
If you’re shopping for
car insurance
, it’s usually a safe bet that you have a driver’s license and can legally operate the car you’re insuring. But sometimes that’s not the case—and in these situations, finding the necessary coverage can get tricky. In this article, we’ll go over strategies to help you find the coverage you need in some of the most common cases of unlicensed insurance applications.
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The short answer: very few car insurance companies will insure an unlicensed driver, and it’s rarely worth the financial and legal risks.
Insurance companies almost always require a valid driver’s license in order to purchase a car insurance policy for two simple reasons:
- Insurers use your driver’s license to examine your driving record and evaluate the level of risk you pose
- It’s illegal to drive without a license
While you might be able to find
car insurance quotes
without a current license, when it comes time to lock in that insurance coverage in the form of an actual auto insurance policy, you’ll need to provide a driver’s license number. Without it, almost no insurance company will let you buy a policy. But there are a few situations where you might need insurance without a license: if
your license was suspended
right after you purchased a brand new car, if your license has expired and you’re no longer able to drive, or if you only have your learner’s permit but want to purchase a car to fix up before you pass your driving test. In some of these cases, it’s possible to find an insurance company willing to work with your situation—but you’ll probably need to do some searching to find the right company and explain your circumstances directly to them.
Consequences of driving without a license
Buying car insurance without a license should be a way to protect a valuable piece of property, not a strategy for driving without a license. Although you might find yourself in a situation that seems to demand it, there’s no way to legally drive a car without a license.
While the exact penalties for driving without a license vary from state to state, they’re always steep. Fines for a first offense are typically at least $100, and in some states like
Indiana
, they may go as high as $10,000. License suspension, vehicle impoundment, and mandatory jail time are some of the other typical consequences. If you’re caught driving without a license more than once, all of those penalties will be compounded, and in some states, you could actually face
felony charges
that will go on your criminal record. Keep in mind that if you choose to drive without a license under someone else’s insurance policy, that person’s insurance could be canceled if you get into an accident. If that happens, they’ll have trouble finding affordable insurance again, since the incident will be on their record.
Does a driver’s license need to be current in order to get car insurance?
You don’t just need a license to get a car insurance policy—that license has to be up to date. If your license has expired, it’s time to head to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to renew it.
How to find car insurance without a license
Now that we’ve covered what a rare and tricky thing car insurance without a license is, let’s look at how to actually get it if you need it.
Elderly or disabled drivers: non-driver car insurance
If you or a family member owns a car but can’t drive it due to age or disability, you’ll need to find an insurance company willing to list you as a nondriver on your own insurance policy.
We’ll keep it real: most insurance companies won’t do this. The major exception is The Hartford, which has an exclusive contract with AARP®. If you or the person you’re trying to insure is an AARP member, you can talk to an insurance agent at The Hartford about getting a policy without a license. You can also look for small, local, and independent insurance providers who may be able to set their own flexible policies.
In this situation, what your insurance company will do is allow the policyholder (yourself or a family member) to be listed as a nondriver and a caregiver to be listed as the primary driver for the policy. If you’re listed as a nondriver, your car insurance rates will be based on your credit history and the driving record of the primary driver.
Pro Tip Listing yourself as an “excluded driver” usually isn’t possible if you bought the policy in your name. Instead, ask your insurance company or independent agent about being listed as a nondriver.
Teenagers: wait it out
On the other end of the age spectrum are teen drivers. If your teen doesn’t have a valid license yet, they can’t purchase an insurance policy—and if they’re under age 18, they won’t be able to buy their own insurance even with a license, since minors can’t enter into legal contracts of this kind.
For teen drivers with learner’s permits, the best strategy is to have a parent or guardian add them to their insurance policy. Drivers with learner’s permits typically don’t cost anything when listed on an insurance policy since they can’t drive without a licensed adult. While they are completely covered for an accident, they still cannot get their own policy until they are fully licensed.
When this happens, be prepared to see your insurance premiums go up to account for the higher level of risk that young drivers present.
MORE: Your questions about teenage car insurance, answered
Suspended or revoked license: change registration or file an SR-22
One of the most tricky situations for getting car insurance without a valid license is if your license has been suspended or revoked. Maybe you’re trying to
avoid a lapse in coverage
; maybe you just bought a sweet new car and need to keep your full coverage insurance to keep up with your loan payments. The bad news: if your license is revoked—that is, if your driving privileges have been taken away either permanently or for an extended period—you’re pretty much out of luck. You won’t find an insurance company willing to sell you a policy because you don’t have any driving privileges.
If your license is revoked and you want to keep insurance coverage on a recently purchased vehicle, your best bet is to sell or gift the car to a licensed family member and transfer the registration into their name, or add them as a co-owner to the vehicle’s registration. They’ll be able to insure the vehicle themselves, and you can work out an arrangement to cover the costs of both insurance and loan payments.
If your license is just suspended, though, you’re in a much better position. What you’ll need in this case is
an SR-22 certificate
—that is, a document filed with your state DMV that shows you’ve demonstrated financial responsibility by purchasing liability coverage that meets your state’s insurance requirements. Not every insurance company works with SR-22 forms, so you’ll need to find a company that’s willing to work with high-risk drivers. Progressive
is one of the best insurance companies for drivers whose license has been suspended due to a serious violation such as a DUI
. If you need proof of insurance to get your license reinstated—or just want to avoid a lapse in coverage—contact Progressive to see about getting SR-22 insurance with a suspended license. Other great insurance companies for high-risk drivers include: One more option for maintaining insurance coverage without a license is known as storage insurance (sometimes called “parked car insurance”). While it’s not a typical type of policy, some insurers will allow you to drop all liability coverages and
collision insurance
and only pay for comprehensive coverage
on a car that’s being stored. No one can drive your car on a storage plan since it doesn’t have liability coverage, but it is protected from losses that tend to happen while cars are stored, like fire, theft, and vandalism. Storage plans usually only cost a few dollars per month, but check with your DMV before you choose this option in case you are required to surrender your license plate(s) for the duration of the plan. If you’re not able to drive due to a suspended license, this may be a viable option for you.
Classic or collector cars: talk to a classic car insurance specialist
Finally, let’s talk about classic and collector cars. Since these aren’t necessarily cars you’ll be driving, it’s possible to own one without a license—but insuring that car without a license could be more difficult.
Legally, you don’t need to insure a car that’s exclusively kept in storage—insurance is only required to drive a vehicle. But because a classic car is a valuable possession, you may want some financial protection from theft, vandalism, and other threats. Reach out to a company specializing in
classic car insurance
, such as Grundy Insurance or American Collectors, to explore your options. MORE: How to make money restoring classic cars
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Can you get insurance without a license in California?
It’s possible to get car insurance without a license in
California
under some circumstances. While a national company like Allstate isn’t likely to work with you unless you have a valid license, you may be able to find coverage elsewhere. Elderly drivers should contact agents at The Hartford, while high-risk drivers may find coverage with GEICO, Progressive, or a smaller local or regional insurer like Aspire.
Can you get car insurance without a license in Louisiana?
If you live in
Louisiana
and want to get car insurance without a license, you’ll need to find an insurance provider willing to work with you. If you’re unable to drive, finding a company that will list you as a nondriver is your best bet. If your license is suspended, look for companies that handle SR-22 insurance
.
Can you go to jail for driving without a license?
Yes. In most states, mandatory jail time is one of the penalties for driving without a license—even if it’s your first time. While the sentencing guidelines vary, in some states you could go to jail for multiple years just for driving without a license.
Can you buy a car without a driver’s license?
Yes—but it’s not a straightforward process. You’ll need another form of ID, and many lenders won’t approve a car loan for an unlicensed driver. And if you plan to drive the vehicle you’re purchasing, you’ll face the same challenges getting liability insurance in order to legally operate the car.
