On this page
The Legal Supervision Requirement
A learner driver must be accompanied by a person who holds a valid licence for that class of vehicle, seated next to the learner. Driving alone on a learner's licence is illegal — and because the driving is unlawful, it almost always voids any insurance cover for a resulting accident.
This is the single most important point: a learner is only insurable while lawfully supervised. The moment the supervision requirement is broken, the cover usually falls away with it.
Declaring a Learner on the Policy
Adding a learner to an existing policy is usually straightforward. Some insurers add no loading for a supervised learner; others charge a modest fee. The key is to declare them rather than assume they are covered — get the addition confirmed in writing so there is no dispute later.
While properly declared and lawfully supervised, the learner is covered to the same extent as any named driver on the policy, subject to the policy's normal terms and excess.
What Voids a Learner's Cover
The recurring decline scenarios are: the learner driving alone with no licensed supervisor; the supervising driver being unfit (intoxicated, or not holding a valid licence for the vehicle class); and the learner driving outside any time or condition restrictions on their permit. Any of these can turn a valid-looking claim into a declined one.
Treat the supervision rules as cover conditions, not just traffic rules — because for insurance purposes, that is exactly what they are.
Driving-School Lessons
Formal lessons in a driving school's vehicle are normally covered by the school's own insurance on that vehicle, not by your policy. Confirm this with the school before lessons start, and ask specifically whether the learner is covered while at the controls.
For practice in a family car, the learner must be on the family policy and supervised — the school's cover does not extend to your own vehicle.
Practical Tips for Safe, Insured Practice
Carry the learner's licence and the supervisor's full licence during every practice session. Practise in lower-risk areas and avoid late-night sessions in high-crime areas, both for safety and because area and time of day affect risk. Keep the practice within any restrictions on the permit.
Plan the move to a full first-time-driver policy ahead of the licence test, so cover is in place from the day the learner passes and starts driving unsupervised.