How to choose trusted car insurance for newly qualified drivers

Passing your driving test is a big moment but, after securing your licence, there’s one more bump in the road to navigate before you can get behind the wheel: choosing appropriate car insurance. It’s no secret that covering newly qualified drivers can be difficult (and pricey) but it doesn’t have to be a headache. Some insurers go beyond traditional policies, with flexible options that can help to keep costs low.

For example, some insurance companies, such as Veygo, offer app-based telematics, which track your driving in the same way a traditional black box would. The difference is that the tracking is done via an app that uses the GPS on your smartphone, instead of a device that is attached to your vehicle. Veygo offers this app-based option on a monthly basis, so you don’t need to commit to an annual insurance policy right out of the gate.

Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all car insurance policy for first-time drivers – the type of insurance you go for will very much depend on your own needs and preferences. Understanding how different types of insurance work can help you to choose the best option to suit your circumstances.

What insurance can you get after passing your driving test?

New drivers have a few options to consider when it comes to getting insured.

Annual car insurance provides cover via a 12-month policy, and it is usually based on statistical risk, such as your age, postcode or the car being driven.

Fitted black-box insurance means your driving is usually monitored by a device that is installed in the insured vehicle. This type of insurance is typically set up as an annual policy.

Insurance with app-based telematics means your driving is monitored but, instead of using a physical device installed in your car, it relies on sensors in your smartphone. The duration of this type of insurance depends on the specific policy. Veygo, for instance, provides app-based telematics on a monthly basis.

Temporary car insurance is another option if you only need cover for a short amount of time. Whether or not it is based on statistical risk or monitored driving depends on the policy.

What to consider when choosing car insurance for newly qualified drivers

There are several factors that should go into choosing the right policy for first-time drivers.

Can I get temporary car insurance as a newly qualified driver?

Yes, you can. Temporary car insurance, such as the short-term cover offered by Veygo, can be particularly useful for newly qualified drivers who want to borrow a parent or family member’s car without committing to an annual policy. For instance, you might only require cover for several journeys (maybe even just one journey). Likewise, some new drivers may only want cover for a short period on a family member’s vehicle, so they can continue practicing and building muscle memory behind the wheel before buying their own car. It might simply be to use a friend’s car on an ad-hoc basis. This is often the case when it comes to younger newly qualified drivers who may have passed their test without their own car on standby.

Veygo is one insurer that offers temporary cover for new drivers who are borrowing a friend or family member’s vehicle. The policy can simply be set up and managed directly via an app.

Does app-based car insurance track your driving?

Not always – most major car insurance companies have an app in which you can keep tabs on your policy but they may not track your driving at the same time. On the other hand, there are apps that use telematics via sensors in your smartphone, and are specifically set up to track driving behaviour, such as phone distraction, speeding and hard braking.

Some apps, such as Veygo’s, cover both functions, tracking your driving automatically and recording your scores, which you can view in the app. You can also check on policy details and see how your driving is impacting your fee.

What is the most reliable car insurance for new drivers?

There is no one particular insurance provider that offers the most reliable insurance but there are some useful criteria to consider, to help you narrow down your options.

Look for transparency around the policy, and a guarantee that the company would actually be able to pay out if you ever needed to make a claim.

A reliable insurer will always ensure that your policy is clear, so there’s no room for confusion over what is covered, who is covered and for exactly how long.

Plus, it’s worth looking into what backing the insurer has. If it’s financially backed by a larger company and there’s been an established history of providing cover, this should give you confidence when taking out a policy. Veygo, for example, is backed by Admiral and has covered more than one million drivers, while more than eight million Veygo policies have been sold since 2016.

While it shouldn’t be the deciding factor, it can also be worth checking if an insurer has accumulated a lot of positive independent customer reviews, as this can help provide peace of mind that you’re making a strong choice. On the independent review site Trustpilot, Veygo was rated “Excellent” and scored 4.6 out of 5 across more than 12,000 reviews, as of September 2026.

Whichever type of cover you’re considering, assessing all the options available can help you to get the best car insurance for your needs as a newly qualified driver.