is it legal to drive your mates car?

Question

i have my own car fully insured and i have a full uk licence but i want to know if what the rules are when driving someone elses car.
car you drive it without being on their insurance etc.

Answer 1

Almost all policies in the UK cover you to drive the vehicle of someone else on a third party basis.

There are some exceptions - check your policy.

Remember that even if they are fully comp and YOU are fully comp, you will usually only be covered third party while driving their car. Sometimes fire & Theft too.

Mark


**Update** Several folks have said this only applies if you have comprehensive cover, it does not. Having driven third party most of my life until recently, I can assure you that even TPF&T policies usually cover you to drive someone elses car Third party. Check the policy as there ARE exceptions though.

Answer 2

You will have to check whether your policy allows you to drive some one else's car. The statement will be on your certificate of motor insurance and usually comes immediately after the list of people who may drive on it.

e.g.
The policyholder
The policyholder may also driver, with the owner's permission thereof, a motor car that they do not own and which is not hired to them under a hire purchase agreement.

Iff your certificate has these words (or similar) then you may drive your mate's car for third party cover only. This benefit may be given on both third party and comprehensive policies and it is usually the proposer's age/ occupation that determines whether it is provided.

Answer 3

If you have full comp, read your policy documents carefully.

Usually you are permitted to drive another person's car with their permission, but cover will be third party only, and often insurance companies now state "in an emergency only".

That last bit is very important and more than one has been caught out because of it!

Answer 4

If you're fully comp your automatically insured to drive other peoples vehicles. But do check the age, a lot of these don't apply until your 21.

Answer 5

You can drive another persons car without being on their insurance, ONLY if your policy covers you to do so. Plus, beware, in the event of an accident even if your policy covers you legally, it might not cover your for everything so you could find yourself finding money for repairs to your mates vehicle.

Answer 6

Providing your insurance covers you to drive a car not belonging to you then yes you can drive the other car but be warned it only covers you for the very minimum of things, not damage to the car only to anyone you hit.

Answer 7

Check the bottom of your insurance certificate, I am fully comp and mine says:
"This does not cover you to drive any other vehicles" or similar to that effect. But my mum's doesn't.

Answer 8

if you are fully com you are normally covered to drive a car not belonging to your self but you are only insured for third party.

Answer 9

are you fully comp if so normally if you are you can used any car borrowed or lent to you with the owner permisson. it is always best to phone the insurer to check .......
and the car has mot too if your not fully comp then a big no no you will not be covered . but the next step is check with your insurer

Answer 10

If you have a fully comprehensive policy and you are a policy holder you should be able to drive another car with the owners permission as long as their car is also insured. You will only be covered on a third party basis though and wont have any of the benefits of a fully comprehensive policy. This would not apply to named drivers on your policy only the policy holder.