CarInsurance.com Insights
- Permit holders must be insured whenever they drive, even before getting a full license.
- Most learner’s permit holders are added to a parent’s or guardian’s car insurance policy, which is the simplest and cheapest option.
- Comparing car insurance quotes early can help families prepare for higher premiums once a learner’s permit driver gets a full license.
If you have a learner’s permit, you may be wondering whether you need car insurance and how it works before you get your license. The answer is yes — drivers with permits must be covered by an insurance policy anytime they’re behind the wheel. In most cases, permit holders are added to a parent’s or guardian’s existing policy, which is the simplest and most affordable option.
However, in certain situations, such as if you’re an adult learner or don’t live with a parent, you may need your own policy. Understanding how insurance works with a learner’s permit ensures you stay legal, protected and prepared as you work toward earning your driver’s license.
What is a learner’s permit or driver’s permit?A learner’s permit is a restricted license that allows first-time drivers to practice before earning a driver’s license. You must obtain a driver’s permit before legally driving a car. They’re called driver’s permits, learner’s licenses, provisional licenses or minor permits.
With a permit, you can drive under restricted circumstances as long as a fully licensed adult driver accompanies you. Eventually, you will graduate with a full driver’s license. In most states, you can apply for a learner’s permit once you are 15, although this minimum age varies from state to state.
How do you get car insurance with a learner’s permit?
When you need to get car insurance with a learner’s permit, there are two options: Buy an individual or standalone policy or have your parents add you to their policy. However, you must be the age of majority in your state (in most cases) to get your own auto insurance policy.
Auto insurance companies won’t insure teens younger than the age of majority in your state because an auto policy is a legally binding contract, which you can’t enter until you’re an adult. And if you get your own policy, you’ll be paying high rates.
The easiest and cheapest option is to have your family member add you to their existing car insurance policy. If you’re driving with a licensed adult in a family member’s car, the family member’s insurance policy should cover you.
How much does car insurance for learner drivers cost?
A 16-year-old female costs an average of $3,900 on a parent’s policy and a 16-year-old male costs $4,200 per year on a parent’s policy for full coverage. See the rates for 16- and 17-year-old drivers in the table below.
| Driver’s age and gender | Teen policy | Parent’s policy with a teen |
|---|---|---|
| 16-year-old female | $6,757 | $3,900 |
| 16-year-old male | $7,541 | $4,200 |
| 17-year-old female | $5,633 | $3,603 |
| 17-year-old male | $6,275 | $3,877 |
Which companies offer car insurance for learner drivers?
Every car insurance company has different rules surrounding car insurance for learner drivers. Please note that learner drivers are unlikely to be able to get their own insurance policies. Here’s a look at what to know:
- GEICO. GEICO allows learner’s permit drivers to be added to an existing policy. But the company won’t offer car insurance to individuals without a driver’s license.
- Progressive. Progressive allows learner’s permit drivers to be added to existing policies or obtain their own policy.
- State Farm. State Farm allows learner’s permit drivers to be added to existing policies or obtain their own policy.
- Allstate. Allstate allows learner’s permit drivers to be added to existing policies or obtain their own policy.
- Nationwide. Nationwide allows learner’s permit drivers to be added to existing policies or obtain their own policy.
“Most young drivers with a learner’s permit are likely covered under their parent’s policy, and premiums shouldn’t increase until they are legally licensed,” says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.
If you’re younger than 18, you can’t buy car insurance on your own. If you are a newly licensed driver who’s still a minor and your parents already have a policy, they should add you to their car insurance policy — you can’t purchase car insurance on your own until you’re the age of majority in your state.
What are the car insurance requirements for new drivers in each state?
Driving rules vary from state to state. But every state requires a minimum level of liability coverage, including bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage.
In the table below, see the minimum car insurance requirements for new drivers in each state.
| State | Minimum liability coverage limits | Other insurance required (if any) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 | |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 | |
| California | 30/60/15 | |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 | PIP |
| Washington, D.C. | 25/50/10 | UM, UMPD |
| Florida* | 0/0/10 | PIP |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 | |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 | PIP |
| Idaho | 20/50/15 | |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 | UM |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 | |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM, PIP |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 | PIP |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 | |
| Maine | 50/100/25 | UM/UIM, MedPay |
| Maryland***** | 30/60/15 | UM/UIM, UMPD, PIP |
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 | UM, PIP |
| Michigan | 20/40/10 | PIP, PPI |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 | UM/UIM, PIP |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 | |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 | UM |
| Montana | 25/50/20 | |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 | |
| New Hampshire** | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM, MedPay |
| New Jersey****** | 15/30/5 | UM/UIM, PIP |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 | |
| New York | 25/50/10 | UM, PIP |
| North Carolina | 50/100/50 | UM, UIM |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM, PIP |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 | |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 | UM, PIP |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 | PIP (First Party Benefits) |
| Rhode Island*** | 25/50/25 | |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | UM, UMPD |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM |
| Tennessee | 25/50/25 | |
| Texas | 30/60/25 | |
| Utah | 30/65/25 | UM, PIP |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | UM/UIM, UMPD |
| Virginia | 50/100/25 | UM/UIM, UMPD |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 | UM, UMPD |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 | UM, UIM, MedPay |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 |
Minimum liability car insurance requirements by state:
* Florida doesn’t require bodily injury liability coverage, but many insurers only offer policies with minimum amounts of 10/20 of bodily injury coverage.
** Auto insurance isn’t mandatory in New Hampshire, but if you choose to buy insurance, these are the minimum amounts.
*** Rhode Island doesn’t require drivers to buy UM/UIM coverage if buying minimum liability coverage. If you buy higher liability limits, UM is required.
***** Full PIP can be waived in Maryland for a limited PIP option.
******In New Jersey, a basic policy with lower limits also is available. Still, it should only be considered by those with few family responsibilities and few real assets and is not recommended.
People also ask
As a new driver gets on the road, having questions about car insurance is natural. Explore answers to your questions below.
Our child is in the U.S. and wants to apply for a permit. As parents living in Europe, we have to assume liability. Is there any insurance we could buy for the risk? If yes, where?
International students can usually drive in the U.S. as long as they have a driver’s license from their country. If your child needs a U.S. driver’s license, he or she can contact the Designated School Official (DSO) to help him or her get a permit.
Your child will have to pass vision, written, and driving tests to get a driver’s license in the U.S. Learn which documents are required to apply for a driver’s license and car insurance in the U.S.
My friend got in a car accident while driving someone else’s car and he only had a permit. He is 17 years old, so what will happen to his permit?
In most cases, a 17-year-old with a learner’s permit may be required to have a licensed adult (typically 21 or older) in the car when driving. If the permit driver violates these restrictions, they could face legal consequences such as fines, license suspension, or other penalties.
The car owner’s insurance typically covers the damages resulting from an accident as long as the driver has permission to use the vehicle. However, if the permit driver was driving without the owner’s permission, this could complicate matters.
Can I supervise a permit driver? I have a restricted license due to a suspension for owing child support.
You may not be able to supervise a permit driver if you have a restricted license due to a suspension for owing child support.
If your license has been suspended due to nonpayment of child support, you may qualify for a restricted driving permit or a hardship license. Still, this license only allows you to drive to and from work, school, medical appointments, and child visitation. Many states even assign a nighttime curfew.
What types of car insurance are offered to learner drivers?
While drivers are required to carry state minimum liability coverage, other optional coverages offer additional financial protection, such as collision and comprehensive coverage.
Insurers don’t typically sell car insurance policies to drivers with a learner’s permit on their own.
“In some cases, the car insurance company might require you to start the policy with a driver who has a valid license until you have your own license,” Walker says. “So, you’ll need to shop around for a higher-risk or non-standard company. An independent agent will likely be your best bet.”
Should I buy a separate car insurance policy for my car if I only have a learner’s permit?
Purchasing a separate policy for a driver with a learner’s permit is allowed in most states after they’ve reached the minimum age allowed in their state.
“However, the most cost-effective method is to add the permitted driver to an existing family policy,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute. “A standalone policy could cost you 50 to 100 percent more than adding a permitted driver to an existing family policy.”
Michael Dinich, a personal finance expert, agrees.
“I don’t recommend getting your own separate policy from your parents or family if you only have a learner’s permit. Premiums for brand-new, inexperienced drivers are exorbitantly high,” Dinich says. “It makes far more financial sense to be added to your parents’ existing auto policy as an endorsed driver during the learner’s permit phase.”
How to save money on car insurance with a learner’s permit
If you have a learner’s permit, the best way to save money on car insurance is to be added to the policy that covers your household. This will be a parent’s auto insurance policy for most new drivers.
Car insurance is expensive for new drivers, especially if they are young. It will be much more costly to purchase a policy in your name than to be added to another car insurance policy as a driver with a learner’s permit. However, it is crucial to note that their rates will increase if you are added as a new driver to a parent’s policy.
“New drivers should get quotes from multiple companies to compare,” says Ryan McEachron, CEO of ISU Insurance Services. “When shopping around, check companies’ ratings and be sure the policy meets your state’s minimum requirements. The cheapest option isn’t always the best if coverage is lacking.”
New drivers can also help their parents save money on auto insurance by qualifying for discounts. For example, insurers often offer discounts for good students, drivers who take a recognized driving education course and safe drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Can you get car insurance with a permit?
Do drivers with learner’s permits need car insurance in California?
All vehicles in California must be insured before they can be driven on the state’s roads. It is illegal for anyone to drive a car that is not insured. California also requires liability insurance to register a vehicle.
Who can be in the car with a learner’s permit driver?
There are many restrictions on those with a driving permit. Laws vary from state to state. But in many places, a driver with a learner’s permit must be accompanied by a fully licensed adult.
Can you have a minor in the car with a permitted driver?
Minors are not allowed to ride in cars driven by those with only a learner’s permit. Again, the rules vary by state, so check with your local jurisdiction.
Can you buy and register a car with a learner’s permit?
Yes. As long as you have the funds, you can purchase a vehicle, even if you don’t have a driver’s license. However, it’s a better idea to have a parent purchase the vehicle for the teen to drive. Minors can’t sign any kind of legally-binding contract, including an auto loan.
And you probably can’t register the car until you get a license. Rules differ from state to state. Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to determine registration requirements.
Remember, registering a car and driving it are two different things. To legally drive a car, you must have a driver’s license.
Do I need to add my child to my car insurance with a permit?
Yes, you’ll typically need to add your child to your car insurance when they get a learner’s permit. Generally, your child is automatically covered. But it doesn’t hurt to inform your insurance company about the driving status changes to confirm their coverage.
Your next move: Securing car insurance for learner drivers
When you learn to drive a car, it opens a new world of possibilities. You need car insurance to drive, but companies may require you to be added to a parent’s policy if you are going to drive their car with a permit. Don’t hit the road without confirming that you are, in fact, covered by your parent’s insurance policy.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles “Licensing Requirements for Teens, Graduated Driver License Laws and Curfews.” Accessed May 2025.
- California Department of Insurance. “Automobile Insurance Information Guide.” Accessed May 2025.
- Colorado Department of Revenue. “Registration Requirements.” Accessed May 2025.
- Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. “Vehicle Services Titling.” Accessed May 2025.
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. “Identity Requirements for Vehicle Registration.” Accessed May 2025.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to field rates for auto coverage data by ZIP code for 16-year-old and 17-year-old drivers. The hypothetical drivers have a 12-mile commute and 10,000 annual mileage for a Honda Accord LX. The data come from 170 companies, 34,588 ZIP codes and 53,409,632 auto insurance quotes.
The car insurance rate for the teen added to the parent’s policy includes coverage for one family car owned and insured by the parents. This data comprehensively compares car insurance costs for teenage drivers as independent policyholders and when added to a parent’s existing policy.
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