Over a MILLION test drives per year could be illegal

New research has uncovered a hidden epidemic of law-breaking drivers, revealing what many believe to be a harmless spin around the block is in fact a risky gamble.  New figures suggest over 1.3 million illegal test drives could be taking place in the UK each year - leaving drivers at risk of facing massive fines and driving bans, warns temporary car insurance provider Tempcover.

Of the drivers who privately bought a car in the last five years and took a test drive (86%), 15% did so either knowing they didn’t have the correct cover, or failing to check their insurance policy in advance. This is particularly risky as even standard fully comprehensive annual policies don’t automatically cover a driver in another person’s car. These findings point to over 1.3 million potential illegal test drives in the UK each year.*

September car rush: peak test drive season is here

The warning comes ahead of the expected surge in used car sales, a trend reinforced by official figures showing a 12.4% year-on-year rise in UK car registrations in March**.  With the new ‘75’ plates - the age identifier for vehicles registered between September 2025 and February 2026 - due on September 1st, a similar frenzy is expected. This seasonal rush is typically driven by sellers looking to avoid the immediate depreciation that comes with an older registration, while buyers rush to grab a bargain.

Adding to the risk, the Government grant of up to £3,750 to spend on an eligible EV has led to half of motorists (48%) saying they are now more likely to consider an EV for a test drive, increasing the chances of more drivers falling foul of the law next month.

Why are drivers taking such a huge risk?

It appears that many motorists are breaking the law without knowing. Nearly two in five (37%)  motorists who’ve privately test driven a car incorrectly believed that they were covered by the seller’s car insurance policy, and even more were unaware that a test drive of any length without the proper insurance was illegal (40%).

A false sense of confidence about coverage was also a factor. While 28% of motorists were certain their fully comprehensive insurance would cover them for a test drive, a further 14% were not completely sure.

Meanwhile, some of the motorists who test drove illegally knew they were breaking the law. They either considered the risk low because the drive was short (21%) or took a gamble, as they really wanted to buy the car (12%). However, the risk is greater than they believed, with a fifth of all of those who have been a buyer or seller on a test drive (19%) saying they either experienced an accident or near-miss during a test drive.

How an illegal test drive could cost drivers

There are serious legal consequences involved with an illegal test drive, including a £300 fine and six penalty points and a possible court appearance, unlimited fines, and even a driving ban.

Worryingly, many motorists are unaware about the ramifications - half of them did not know they could face a fine (49%) and an even greater number were unaware they could face a driving ban (67%). This lack of knowledge is widespread,  as one in ten didn’t know they were putting themselves at risk of any consequences at all. 

And it’s not just the driver who pays the price - the seller can also suffer a great loss if an accident occurs. Without the correct insurance in place, they could be left footing the bill for repairs which could be in the thousands - or lose the vehicle entirely.

Commenting on the findings, Claire Wills-McKissick, a temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover warns: “The risk of an uninsured test drive goes beyond just fines. The safety of pedestrians and other road users are also at risk and it’s simply not worth the danger to yourself and others.  Many drivers mistakenly believe they’re covered for a test drive when they’re buying privately, when in reality, these sellers have no legal obligation to insure a prospective buyer.

“This misunderstanding leaves millions of drivers exposed, especially in casual private sales if you don’t check. Fully comprehensive insurance doesn’t automatically allow a motorist to drive any vehicle unless explicitly stated. In fact, many annual insurers began removing this cover in the early 2000s, and today, the vast majority of policies no longer include it by default.”

“Sellers should always ask for proof of insurance and buyers have a responsibility to ensure they are properly covered - even if it’s a quick 10 minutes round the block. An easy solution is a fully comprehensive, temporary car insurance policy, which can cover you for as little as an hour, so you can test drive without the legal pitfalls.”