Knowing who's car you can drive, and who else can drive your car in the UK can be confusing, especially if insurance rules are different in your home country.

Some people think their friends or family are automatically covered by their car insurance to drive their car. Others assume that any fully comprehensive insurance or third-party cover lets anyone drive a vehicle.

Unfortunately, that is not how UK car insurance works.

This guide explains who can legally drive your car, how named drivers work, and what to do if someone else needs to use your vehicle.

Key takeaways:

• Permission alone isn't enough. You can only drive someone else's car if you have insurance
• Adding named drivers is the easiest way for multiple people to drive the same car
• Some policies include "Driving Other Cars" cover which allow you to drive someone else's car

Can I drive someone else's car?

In the UK, generally you can only drive someone else's car if you are a named driver on their insurance policy.

If you have your own car insurance policy, it may include cover for driving other cars, but it is not included as standard on all policies.

This may be different to other countries where the car is insured for anyone to drive it.

Can someone else drive my car?

The same applies for others driving your car. They can only drive your car if they are a named driver on the policy, or if their own policy specifically allows it.

Giving permission is not enough for someone else to be legally allowed to drive your car.

If a person is not insured to drive your car and they take it on the road, you could both face penalties. This includes points on your licence, fines, and potentially the car being seized.

Who is automatically covered on a car insurance policy?

Usually, only the main driver and policyholder are automatically covered. Everyone else must be added or must have their own policy that includes the correct cover.

On a Marshmallow policy, the people covered are:

• The main driver
• Any named drivers you choose to add
• No one else

If you need someone else to use your car, you will need to add them as a named driver through the Marshmallow app.

Named driver insurance rules

A named driver is someone you add to your insurance policy so they can legally drive your car.

Adding a named driver can be useful if:

• You share the car with a partner or family member
• Someone occasionally needs to borrow your car
• You want to help a new driver gain experience

When you add a named driver, they receive the same cover level as you. However, you must still list the correct main driver on the policy.

Putting someone down as the main driver when they are not is called fronting, and it is illegal.

Can someone else be the main driver on my car?

The main driver on an insurance policy should be whoever uses the car the most. This doesn't have to be the same as the owner.

If you own a car but someone else uses it more often, they can be the main driver. Typically your insurer will require you to have a relationship with the driver, e.g. they are your partner or live at the same address.

What is Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover?

Some insurers offer “Driving Other Cars” cover, which allows the policyholder to drive someone else’s car with third-party only cover.

Important things to know:

• It rarely applies to named drivers, only the policyholder
• It usually only applies in emergencies
• It does not cover damage to the car you borrow
• Many modern insurers no longer offer DOC cover

Driving Other Cars cover is included on the Marshmallow Plus plan. See how our plans compare to find the right one for.

Can I drive my friend's car?

In the UK, being a friend or family member does not allow you to drive someone else's car. You would need to either:

• Get added as a named driver on the policy
• Be covered to drive any car under your own insurance

Family relationships do not automatically provide insurance cover in the UK. Even if you have permission, you must be properly insured.

Can I add someone to my Marshmallow policy?

Yes. You can add a driver through the Marshmallow app. You will need:

• Their full name
• Date of birth
• Driving licence details
• Driving history (claims, convictions, years licensed etc)

Once added, they are legally insured to drive the car from the start date you choose.

Who cannot drive my car under any circumstances?

Someone cannot drive your car if they:

• Are not included on your policy
• Are disqualified from driving
• Do not hold the correct licence (for example, a provisional licence without supervision)
• Believe they are covered by Driving Other Cars, but your policy does not include it
• Only have insurance in another country
• Only have travel insurance or rental insurance (these do not count for personal cars)

Driving without proper cover is illegal, even if it is only for a short trip.

What if someone else drives my car without insurance?

If an uninsured person drives your car, both of you could face problems. These include:

• 6 penalty points or more
• A fixed fine or court appearance
• The car being seized by the police
• Your insurer refusing to cover any damage

If your car is taken without permission, report it immediately.

Can other people drive my car abroad?

If your policy includes European cover, named drivers are usually covered too. But each insurer has its own rules, so check before you travel.

Marshmallow provides details of European cover levels in your policy documents.

Read more on What do I need to drive on holiday in Europe?

Summary: Can I drive someone else's car?

In the UK, only insured people can drive a car. Getting permission from the owner is not enough, you need to be a named or have "Driver Other Cars" cover.

You can also add named drivers to your own policy if you share it with other people. That means they're insured for accidents and injury just like the main driver.

How Marshmallow can help

Marshmallow lets you quickly add named drivers in the app, making it easy for partners, friends, or family members to share the car legally and safely.

We also include "Driving Other Cars" cover on our Marshmallow Plus plan, giving you more flexibility if you need to drive a friend or family member's car.

To see how we can help, get your free quote today.