While there’s no fee for adding a driver to your car insurance policy, it may change your rates. Your rates may go up or down depending on who that driver is.

For example, adding an experienced driver with a clean record to your car insurance policy typically will not cost you more money. However, if you add a driver to your policy who has recent accidents or traffic violations, the insurance company may charge you more. How much more will depend on how risky the insurance company considers the additional driver to be.

If you are a parent and you add your young driver to your policy, it will likely cost more to insure them on your policy. Insurance companies consider teens and young drivers, typically under age 26, high-risk drivers, so they pay higher rates than other age groups.

What will insurers need to know about the additional driver?

When adding a driver, your car insurance company will typically want to know the following about the person you are adding to your policy:

  • Name
  • Age
  • Marital status
  • Address
  • Occupation
  • Driving record, including tickets and accidents
  • Driver’s license number and status

When you provide this information, the insurance company can tell you how the new driver will affect your rates.

Who should be listed as an additional driver?

Any licensed driver who lives in the household or uses the vehicle frequently should be listed on your policy as a driver.

How do you add a driver to your policy?

To add a driver to your policy, contact your insurance company. You might be able to add the driver online or on the insurance company’s app.

If you have concerns about how the new driver affects your rates, it’s best to call the insurance company directly.

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Michelle Megna
Contributing Researcher

Michelle is a writer, editor and expert on car insurance and personal finance. She's a former CarInsurance.com editorial director. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she reported and edited articles on technology, lifestyle, education and government for magazines, websites and major newspapers, including the New York Daily News.