You can get car insurance on a learner permit in Ireland, either as a named driver on someone else's policy or on a policy in your own name. You must always drive with a qualified driver who has held a full licence for at least 2 years. If you drive alone, the Gardaí can seize the car, and the owner who allowed it can be fined up to €1,000 (Citizens Information).
The learner permit rules that matter for insurance
A learner permit is not a full licence. Citizens Information lists these conditions for a car (Category B) learner permit (checked 9 November 2026):
- Always have a qualified driver with you: someone who has held a full licence in the same category for at least 2 years.
- Display L-plates on the front and rear of the car.
- Do not drive on a motorway.
- Do not act as an accompanying driver for someone else.
- Do not carry passengers for payment.
- Keep to the lower drink driving limit: 20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, against 50 mg for drivers who are not learners or novices.
- Keep under 7 penalty points. At 7 points a learner is disqualified.
You must also carry your permit whenever you drive. For a first car permit you must complete Essential Driver Training (EDT): 12 one-hour lessons with an RSA Approved Driving Instructor. In most cases you cannot sit the test until you have had your first permit for at least 6 months.
Driving alone: the law and the owner's liability
Since 22 December 2018, the car owner can be prosecuted too, not only the learner. That is the date the Department of Transport gave for the "Clancy Amendment" in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018.
The amendment made it an offence for an owner to knowingly allow an unaccompanied learner, or an unlicensed person, to drive their vehicle. It also lets the Gardaí detain a vehicle driven by an unaccompanied learner.
| Offence | Penalty (Citizens Information) |
|---|---|
| Learner driving unaccompanied | €160 fine and 2 penalty points, rising to €240 if not paid within 28 days. The car can be seized, even if someone else owns it. |
| Owner letting a learner drive unaccompanied | Fine of up to €1,000 |
| Not displaying L-plates properly | €120 fine and 2 penalty points, rising to €180 if not paid within 28 days |
This matters for parents who lend a car to a learner. In 2018, before the new law began, the Gardaí said they had issued about 4,500 fixed charge notices to learners driving unaccompanied that year.
Insurers expect the rules to be followed. AIG says that while you drive on a learner permit "you must comply with the legal requirement to always be accompanied by a fully licensed driver" (checked 9 November 2026). Ask your insurer, in writing, how it would treat a claim if a learner drove alone.
Your options for cover as a learner
Named driver on a parent's or partner's policy
Allianz says a young driver aged 17 or older can be added as a named driver once they hold a learner permit. The learner then starts to earn named driver experience.
Check the schedule names the learner. FBD's car policy booklet (March 2026 edition) has one endorsement that excludes all learner permit holders, and another that covers only the learner named in your schedule. FBD also applies a higher excess on accidental damage claims while a learner drives.
Short-term cover can cost extra. Allianz says a charge applies to temporary additional drivers who are under 25 or hold a learner permit.
A policy in your own name
Aviva says learners can insure a car in their own name if the car is registered to them (checked 9 November 2026). Aviva offers comprehensive, or third-party, fire and theft. It does not offer third-party only.
A policy in your own name has one advantage. Aviva says you can start building a no claims bonus while still on a learner permit, if you drive claim-free.
A black box policy
AIG's BoxClever and Aviva's telematics policy both accept learner permit holders. Aviva limits learners to cars with engines up to 1.4 litres. AIG says the policy carries on when you pass your test. Our guide to young driver insurance compares how the two black boxes work.
What to tell the insurer
Citizens Information says you must disclose all relevant information when you buy or renew. If you are not sure whether something matters, tell the insurer and let it decide. Before you get a quote, have these ready:
- That a learner will drive the car. Give their name and licence type.
- Driver numbers. The CCPC says that since 31 March 2025 you must give your own driver number and the number of every named driver. Citizens Information says it is in section 4(d) of a learner permit.
- Who the main driver is. If the learner will drive the car most, they should be the main driver. Listing a parent instead is fronting, which Citizens Information says is illegal.
- Penalty points and convictions, for every driver.
- Where the car is kept overnight. Citizens Information says some insurers add a loading if the car is not kept in a garage or driveway.
Tell the insurer when you pass your test. AIG asks you to tell it immediately if you or any named driver gets a full licence. The CCPC says you will be charged more on a provisional licence, so ask whether your price changes once you pass.
After you pass, the rules do not stop. Citizens Information says you must display N-plates for 2 years, and the 7-point disqualification limit also applies for the first 2 years of your first full licence.
When a learner policy may not be worth the cost
Expect a high price. Citizens Information says a learner permit can add "hundreds of euro" to a premium.
A policy in your own name builds a no claims bonus, but you need a car registered to you. Being a named driver only builds named driver experience, not a bonus: the CCPC says the bonus only goes to the policyholder.
If the car is older or low in value, the CCPC says comprehensive cover may not be worth the extra cost. Ask for a third-party, fire and theft quote as well.
If this will be your first policy, our guide to car insurance for first-time drivers lists the documents you need. To see what drives the price, read how much car insurance costs. For an overview, see our car insurance guide.
Sources
- Citizens Information: Learner permit rules for specific vehicle categories (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Citizens Information: Steps to learning to drive (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Citizens Information: Driving offences (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Citizens Information: Penalty points for driving offences (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Citizens Information: Motor insurance (accessed 9 November 2026)
- gov.ie: Minister commences the unaccompanied learner driver provisions of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018, 21 December 2018 (accessed 9 November 2026)
- CCPC: Car insurance (accessed 9 November 2026)
- CCPC: Choosing your car insurance policy (accessed 9 November 2026)
- AIG Ireland: BoxClever young and first-time driver insurance page (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Aviva Ireland: Can I get car insurance on a learner permit? and Telematics car insurance page (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Allianz Ireland: A guide to learner driver insurance on parents' cars, August 2025, and Additional drivers page (accessed 9 November 2026)
- FBD Insurance: Your Car Insurance Policy Booklet, edition P2 PD 2026 03 (accessed 9 November 2026)
General information, not financial advice. Prices and rules change: check the details with the insurer before you buy.