Temporary car insurance for international licence holders in the UK
Visiting the UK or moving here? Skip the no-car headache. Just borrow a car from someone you know using temporary insurance for international drivers in the UK. Fully comprehensive policies for visitors or expats from 1 hour, sorted from your phone.
Drive using your EU licence from lots of different countries
Temporary insurance for non-UK residents or new arrivals
13 million+ policies sold and 2 million+ cars insured
Who can drive on an international licence in Britain?
Generally, you can drive in Britain on an overseas licence if you’re 17+ and have a licence from within the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, or some other countries who have signed agreements with Britain. However - being legally allowed to drive in Britain is one thing. Finding an affordable and easy way to do so is another. Rental companies can be expensive, and getting added as a named driver on someone else’s annual policy is hard work for a short visit.
One solution that could be handier and offer better value is to use your own licence to borrow a car instead, using temporary car insurance from Cuvva. This is because you only pay for the time you actually need behind the wheel, starting from just 1 hour. While you're visiting, you can drive with Cuvva's temporary car insurance using a full licences issued in most EU countries, plus Switzerland.
Topics covered:
Suitable for drivers
Aged 21+ who have held a full licence for at least 3 years
With full licences from most EU countries
Who want to drive a car with a UK number plate
Planning short trips (policies start from 1 hour to 7 days, with the option to buy another policy after it expires)
Whose trip starts and ends in England, Scotland or Wales (you can also drive to Northern Ireland during your policy but must return before it ends)
Not right for those
Aged under 21
Who haven’t held a full licence for at least 3 years
With licences from countries other than those listed on this page
Who want to insure a car with a non-UK number plate
Who need to drive regularly over several months
Banned from driving
Who are only visiting Northern Ireland
How to get temporary car insurance for tourists, business visitors, and UK expats
It’s nice and simple to drive a car in the UK using the Cuvva app. Here’s how you can get temporary car insurance as an international driver in the UK:
1
Download the Cuvva app
It’s free and takes a few minutes. You can manage everything from the app
2
Get a quote
Add the car’s number plate, choose your policy length, and enter some quick details
3
Check your cover and pay
Read over the policy details, then pay. Easy
4
Grab the keys
Your policy starts instantly, or you can book ahead. It’s up to you
Temporary insurance when visiting or moving to Britain
Need temporary car insurance on an EU licence? Here’s the lowdown on how it all works.
Peace of mind
Policies are always comprehensive, the highest level of cover in the UK
Insurance papers are sent straight to your phone, so you don’t have to worry about more travel documents during your trip
Includes Business Class 1 cover, for driving between multiple locations for work - like meetings or to see clients
Also includes Carriage of Own Goods business cover, for people using a car to transport their own tools or equipment (excludes hire-and-reward and delivery)
Save time and money
Policies start right away, or you can book ahead so you’re ready to go when you need to - all sorted from the app
No faffing around getting added to someone else’s annual policy - just insure their car with your own policy
An affordable way to get on the road with potential savings vs using a car rental company, especially if you only need to drive for a short time
Only pay for what you need, with policies from 1 hour to 7 days.
Perfect for visitors and new arrivals
Moving to the UK? Temporary car insurance is great for borrowing a car while you get settled
Visiting family or friends? Borrow their car as you sight-see and avoid expensive rental companies
Expat returning home? If your old UK licence has expired, you can borrow a car using temporary car insurance - perfect for driving in the UK on a foreign licence
Using temporary insurance as a UK car rental alternative
Car rental companies can be quite handy, located in airport carparks with hundreds of cars to choose from. But if you only need a car for a day, or even just an hour, they aren’t the most cost-effective way to drive during your trip.
Driving licence holders from most EU countries can now borrow a car from someone they know with temporary car insurance. Flexible policies from just 1 hour mean you only need to pay for the time you drive. So if you’re staying with a friend or family member, you can easily borrow their car with comprehensive insurance right from the Cuvva app.
Got someone visiting who needs to drive?
Got someone visiting from abroad and want to lend them your car? How generous! But there’s something in it for you, too. When you refer a friend to Cuvva and they buy their first policy using your unique link, you both get a tenner off.
While you’re doing your research, we’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, have insured 2 million+ cars, and have a year-round customer support team just a few taps away - so your visitor will be in safe hands during their trip.
1
Head to the app or website
And click ‘Refer a friend’
2
Get your unique link
And send it to your friend
3
Get £10 off
When they buy their first policy using your link
What you’re covered for
Cuvva’s temporary car insurance policies are fully comprehensive, with the same level of cover as an annual one. You'll be covered for damage to the car, fire, theft, and general legal liability. You’ll be able to drive anywhere you want in the UK, at any time of day. Plus you’ll get SDP, commuting and class 1 business use - this covers using your car socially, commuting to work, and driving between different places for business. Here are the deeper details:
What you're covered for
Damage to your vehicle up to £60k
Damage to third party property up to £2m
Accident, theft, attempted theft or fire
Social Domestic and Pleasure (SDP), commuting, Class 1 Business use and Carriage of own goods
Up to £500 for after-fit audio equipment and £100 for your things
£150 for a child seat
Driving at any time of the day
What you're not covered for
Insuring rental cars
Putting the wrong type of fuel in your car
Impounded car release
Driving vehicles under fleet policies
Racetrack or rally day driving
If the car is stolen with keys left in the ignition
Someone else driving your car uninsured
FAQs for driving in the UK with an international licence
What country's driving licence can I use with Cuvva?
To use Cuvva, you can use a driving licence issued in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), or a full licence issued in most EU countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden), plus Switzerland.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in the UK?
The International Driving Permit allows you to turn your driving licence into the equivalent licence in a country you’re visiting. It can take a bit of time to arrange and be an added expense. The great news is that you don’t need one of these to use Cuvva if your licence was issued in most EU countries - you can just drive a car using your own licence as usual.
Can I drive my own car while visiting the UK?
Using Cuvva, you can drive your own car while visiting the UK if it has a number plate from England, Scotland or Wales. If it doesn’t, you can use Cuvva during your trip to simply borrow a car that does.
Can you insure a rented car using Cuvva’s temporary car insurance?
Cuvva can’t be used to insure a rental car. But with temporary car insurance, you can avoid the high prices of airport car rental companies altogether. Instead, you can just borrow a car from someone you know in Britain.
Can I drive a car while visiting Britain if I have a driving conviction abroad?
You can’t use Cuvva if you’re banned from driving in the country you’re visiting or have moved from.
How do no-claims bonuses work?
If you have a no-claims bonus on your annual car insurance policy in the country you’re visiting from, it won’t be impacted if something happens and you need to make a claim while driving another car in Britain. And if you’re borrowing a car using Cuvva while you’re here and need to claim after an incident, the car owner’s no-claims discount also won’t be impacted with your standalone Cuvva policy.
Can I use Cuvva on my business trip?
Yep. Your policy automatically includes Business Class 1 and Carriage of Own Goods cover. This means you're covered for driving between places for work (like meetings, or client visits), and for driving with goods or equipment related on board. Just so you know, this excludes hire-and-reward, and delivery.
Is Cuvva legit?
Totally. We're regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), like all UK insurers. You can find us on the FCA register, we're number 690273. If you want to read a little more about us, like how we’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, here’s a quick summary.
Any questions?
Got a question? Our tireless customer support team is on hand every single day of the year, between 9am and 9pm. Let's have a chat.
