New driver test-driving a car, do I need insurance?

Cameron326

Hi I’m a new driver so have never taken out car insurance before. I’ve gotten some quotes, but my understanding is that you need to purchase a car before you can finalize the insurance contract (as the insurance companies want your actual car registration, not just model/year etc). That being the case, will the dealership let me test drive a car without any insurance in place? Do dealerships usually have some kind of special insurance in place for test drives? Thanks.

passatman86

Ok, i cant give you a definite answer right/wrong but the previous cars i test drove the dealership never asked for my insurance. Having said that - i could only imagine the outcome if an accident was to happen

coylemj

A dealer doesn't expect you to have your own insurance to do a test drive. Even a person with a full licence and his/her own insurance may not have 'driving other cars' in their policy so would need the dealer's policy to cover them doing a test drive.

I'm not in the motor trade so I can't say with certainty that a typical dealer's policy covers learner drivers but the fact that they don't even ask to see your driving licence would suggest that they are covered to allow a person with a learner permit to do a test drive.

wonski

Last time, and the only time l, I had a test drive at main dealer, a photo of my license was taken and green trade plate put on the dash.

I expect this is industry standard, not just that particular dealership.

I was test driving on my own, but of course with full license.

mickdw

Dealers have insurance to cover you test driving.

You need a driving licence. That's all.

Atlantic Dawn

I've always been allowed just take a car off for a drive, never been asked about my licence or insurance status. I would have arrived in a car though, whether that was mine or one I was a named driver on.

Worst case the salesperson might drive with you as a passenger for the test drive, bring your licence with you.

coylemj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118391498#Comment_118391498

You've only ever done one test drive, yet you extrapolate your experience to an 'industry standard'. I've done lots of test drives and was never asked for my licence. But as with poster Atlantic Dawn above, I always arrived on the dealer lot driving my own car.

If you're renting a replacement car from a dealer (that's where you provide the insurance), they will typically photocopy your driving licence but for a test drive, it seems to be hit and miss whether they will ask to see it.

wonski

I would expect this is an industry standard as it makes sense to make sure the person you allow to drive a car is licensed to drive it.

Not because of my experience, more like common sense.

There is a reason I mentioned I only did test drive once so others experiences can vary.

Not sure why arriving with your own car would make a difference tbh. "Oh he has a car so must have a license" kind of thing?

The important bit is that you don't need your own insurance to test drive a car. What rules what dealers have don't really matter. That could be down to their own policies, or their underwriters policies.

Eggs For Dinner

The appropriate cover a dealer would (should) have is Demonstration & Tuition. Most main dealers would have this, many of the smaller buying & selling lads would not.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118394676#Comment_118394676

And it requires someone on the garage policy to accompany you on the test drive.

A lot of garages are taking big risks with test drives. The last few times I've changed I tried a good few garages none asked to see my licence and the majority just let me drive off the lot with no questions, ending up buying from places that had people accompany me on the test drive. Driving on the site proves nothing as you could have stolen the car or not have insurance. I can see them getting in trouble if there's a serious indecent.

mickdw

I don't know the wording of the policies but You would imagine that their policy will cover a wide range of scenarios. I can't see a car being uninsured if driving without a salesman. I've always been allowed out by myself too by main Audi dealer and others.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118397090#Comment_118397090

It's for demonstration purposes and the employee is named on the policy or is covered because they are an employee, Joe Public can't be named on the policy so how can they be covered and how does the dealer prove that the car was being test driven as opposed to being used by the person. A lot of garage employees are driving on risky ground when they drive on the company insurance policy out of business hours.

AnRothar

Arriving at the showroom with your "own" car means nothing.

https://tippfm.com/news/crime-legal/vw-stolen-test-drive-tipp-car-dealer/

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118404218#Comment_118404218

Surely the policy might state something like the following:

Persons holding a licence to drive such vehicle and where vehicle is being used for demonstration or test drive.

Where do you get the idea that people need to be specifically named? Lots of commercial stuff cover for example anyone over 25 with suitable licence driving for the purposes of their employment.

Henry Ford III

Lots of guesswork going on here.

sham58107

As above , but OP you say " new driver " do you actually have a full licence ? L or N plates would make a difference I assume if anything happened on test drive, Dealer will have insurance but better to clarify before taking car out, most salespeople will accompany you to try to sell as you drive.