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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think we don't need to tell the insurer about daughter learning to drive?

381 replies

flawless234 · 07/08/2025 10:33

Hi All,
My daughter has just started learning to drive and we're now doing some practice sessions in our car. She's got her provisional licence and everything, and I'm sitting with her, but we haven't told our car insurance company. I'm thinking, she's not the main driver, it's just a bit of practice with me supervising, so surely we don't need to add her as a named driver?
I've heard some people say you need special learner insurance or to add them to your policy, but it feels a bit OTT for just a few supervised drives. I'm a bit worried about the premium shooting up, to be honest!
Am I being unreasonable to think we can just carry on as we are, or do we really need to contact our insurer? Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice on what to do would be amazing, as I'm totally clueless about all this.
Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
TY78910 · 07/08/2025 10:41

You don’t need to add her on to your insurance but absolutely get her her own policy that covers her learner sessions. Anything can happen and she needs to be covered for that. Also, if there is an accident what on earth will you do if your company refuses to pay out because you weren’t the one driving? People have dash cams and if you get caught out in a lie that puts you in a really bad situation.

Gmala · 07/08/2025 10:41

You risk losing your license. DD is risking getting disqualified before she even passes her test. You also risk financial ruin if there's an accident as there's no insurance. Are you an idiot OP?

sweetpickle2 · 07/08/2025 10:41

What is your plan if she crashes?

Cherry8809 · 07/08/2025 10:41

I truly wonder how some people manage to exist as adults 🙄

itsgettingweird · 07/08/2025 10:41

Surely this is a joke? And not a funny one.

yes she needs to be insured the same as anyone who is driving any vehicle.

Posts like this make me laugh they are so fucking nuts 🫣😂

Bambamhoohoo · 07/08/2025 10:41

sweetpickle2 · 07/08/2025 10:41

What is your plan if she crashes?

I mean, isn’t it obvious she doesn’t have one?

Mimbl · 07/08/2025 10:42

Also, why do you feel it's 'OTT for a few supervised drives'. Were you thinking of adding her to the insurance when she is unsupervised? Because she's not allowed, as a learner, to drive unaccompanied either.

TheGoodEnoughWife · 07/08/2025 10:42

As others have said it is illegal for her to be driving without insurance. If something happens she could be disqualified before she is actually qualified! Why would you put her in that position?
In fact adding her as a learner driver to your insurance will probably be pretty cheap. Adding her after she has passed her test will not be.

pushthebuttonnn · 07/08/2025 10:42

I would just let her drive around an empty car park at night with you. Not out on the road as she may have an accident or get stopped by police. The police can pull up insurance details immediately .

HostaCentral · 07/08/2025 10:42

I can't believe you are even asking this question. If she crashes your car, or worse, kills someone, are you going to pretend it was you??

Either way, illegal, and frankly preposterous behaviour.

MalcolmMoo · 07/08/2025 10:43

This can’t be real??? Of course you need to add her!

Bambamhoohoo · 07/08/2025 10:44

pushthebuttonnn · 07/08/2025 10:42

I would just let her drive around an empty car park at night with you. Not out on the road as she may have an accident or get stopped by police. The police can pull up insurance details immediately .

This is all my parents did with me when I was learning. I was still insured though. It’s just what you do

plinkityplink · 07/08/2025 10:45

Fuck me, it’s really unfortunate you decided to have kids. Your stupidity seemingly knows no bounds.

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 07/08/2025 10:46

Cherry8809 · 07/08/2025 10:41

I truly wonder how some people manage to exist as adults 🙄

Indeed!
I wonder are we being had here? 🤔 there's absolutely no other reason for this question.

Radiowaawaa · 07/08/2025 10:46

I'm totally clueless about all this.

True.

Should you be on the road?

Radiowaawaa · 07/08/2025 10:46

I'm totally clueless about all this.

True.

Should you be on the road?

BetweenTwoFerns · 07/08/2025 10:47

Nobody thinks you don’t have to insure learners. Nobody.

ForeverPombear · 07/08/2025 10:47

There is no possible way that you actually think your learner driver daughter doesn't need to be insured. Everyone has to be insured.

Radiowaawaa · 07/08/2025 10:47

pushthebuttonnn · 07/08/2025 10:42

I would just let her drive around an empty car park at night with you. Not out on the road as she may have an accident or get stopped by police. The police can pull up insurance details immediately .

You still need insurance!

RedRiverShore5 · 07/08/2025 10:49

Is this on public roads or your own land that doesn't have public access

sleepingonapineneedle · 07/08/2025 10:50

This is illegal!!

And insane. Insure your child or get her off the road

Tippertapperfeet · 07/08/2025 10:50

flawless234 · 07/08/2025 10:33

Hi All,
My daughter has just started learning to drive and we're now doing some practice sessions in our car. She's got her provisional licence and everything, and I'm sitting with her, but we haven't told our car insurance company. I'm thinking, she's not the main driver, it's just a bit of practice with me supervising, so surely we don't need to add her as a named driver?
I've heard some people say you need special learner insurance or to add them to your policy, but it feels a bit OTT for just a few supervised drives. I'm a bit worried about the premium shooting up, to be honest!
Am I being unreasonable to think we can just carry on as we are, or do we really need to contact our insurer? Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice on what to do would be amazing, as I'm totally clueless about all this.
Thanks in advance!

Holy god.

you’re taking your daughter out uninsured.

how can you not know that if you’re a person driving a car on the public highway you need insurance?

you realise you and your daughter are breaking the law? And she will get a criminal record if stopped or if she has an accident because of your actions?

Tippertapperfeet · 07/08/2025 10:51

pushthebuttonnn · 07/08/2025 10:42

I would just let her drive around an empty car park at night with you. Not out on the road as she may have an accident or get stopped by police. The police can pull up insurance details immediately .

This is still illegal. You still need insurance to do this.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 07/08/2025 10:51

Glammar · 07/08/2025 10:35

You need to get her insured. There's a company called Collingwood that are really reasonable for learner insurance. I'm in the same boat with my DS but there is no way he will be driving my car without insurance. It's illegal for a start and if there's an accident your insurance will be void.

Yep we did this with DS. A six month policy was about £100 IIRC. Its a separate policy to your own policy.

Chiseltip · 07/08/2025 10:52

flawless234 · 07/08/2025 10:33

Hi All,
My daughter has just started learning to drive and we're now doing some practice sessions in our car. She's got her provisional licence and everything, and I'm sitting with her, but we haven't told our car insurance company. I'm thinking, she's not the main driver, it's just a bit of practice with me supervising, so surely we don't need to add her as a named driver?
I've heard some people say you need special learner insurance or to add them to your policy, but it feels a bit OTT for just a few supervised drives. I'm a bit worried about the premium shooting up, to be honest!
Am I being unreasonable to think we can just carry on as we are, or do we really need to contact our insurer? Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice on what to do would be amazing, as I'm totally clueless about all this.
Thanks in advance!

She will get prosecuted for driving without insurance, that's six points on her provisional and a few hundred pounds in fines. Consequently, she will be virtually uninsurable even if she does pass her test.

You will get prosecuted for permitting her to drive without insurance, that's six points on your licence, a few hundred pounds in fines and a massive increase in your premiums going forward, assuming you can even get cover.

Please don't do this