Can You Get Car Insurance With No License?

You can get car insurance without a license in most states. GEICO, Progressive and State Farm are the most willing to cover unlicensed drivers. You'll need to call directly, and you may need to list a licensed driver as the primary on your policy.

Find out how to get auto insurance without a drivers license below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: June 1, 2026

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Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License?

Yes, you can get car insurance without a driver's license in most states. Insurers typically ask for a license to check your driving history, but several situations allow for coverage without one, including if someone else drives your car, your license is suspended, your car is parked or in storage, you have a learner's permit or you're an international driver.

How to Get Car Insurance Without a License

The process starts the same way regardless of your situation:

Call the insurer directly. Online applications require a driver's license number and will reject you.
Have your state-issued ID, passport or foreign driver's license ready before you call.
Choose your coverage level ahead of time so you can get a quote on the spot.
Call at least three companies to compare.

While the steps above apply to every situation, here's what's unique to yours:

You own the car but someone else, a spouse, family member or caregiver, is the primary driver. You're listed as the owner but excluded from driving coverage. This is the most common option for unlicensed owners.

How to get it: Tell the insurer you're the owner but won't be driving and ask to be listed as an excluded driver. Have the primary driver's full name, date of birth and driver's license number ready when you call. Their driving history determines your rate, so if they have a clean record, lead with that.

Your license is temporarily suspended but you still own a car. In most states, you need insurance to qualify for reinstatement. What your insurer must file with the state depends on where you live.

Most states require an SR-22, a certificate confirming you carry the required minimum liability coverage. Florida and Virginia require an FR-44 instead for DUI-related convictions. FR-44 carries higher minimum liability limits than a standard SR-22. Eight states, Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, don't require any filing. You still need active coverage to reinstate in those states, but no certificate is filed with the DMV.


Florida	FR-44 (DUI convictions); SR-22 for other offenses	FR-44 limits: $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 SR-22 limits: $10,000/$20,000/$10,000
Virginia	FR-44 (DUI and select offenses); SR-22 for others	FR-44 limits: - Policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025: $100,000/$200,000/$50,000 - Pre-2025 policies: $50,000/$100,000/$40,000 SR-22 limits: - Policies on or after January 1, 2025: $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 - Pre-2025: $30,000/$60,000/$20,000
Delaware	None	Active coverage still required to reinstate
Kentucky	None	Active coverage still required to reinstate
Minnesota	None	Active coverage still required to reinstate
New Mexico	None	Active coverage still required to reinstate
New York	None	Active coverage still required to reinstate
North Carolina	None	Active coverage still required to reinstate
Oklahoma	None	Active coverage still required to reinstate
Pennsylvania	None	Active coverage still required to reinstate
All other states	SR-22	Required for most license reinstatements Limits vary by state. They should equal your state's current minimum liability requirements.

The Florida numbers show why FR-44 costs so much more than SR-22. A DUI conviction bumps required bodily injury coverage from $10,000 per person to $100,000, a tenfold increase in minimum liability that insurers price accordingly. Florida normally requires no bodily injury liability for standard policies. SR-22 filers are an exception.

Source: State DMV and insurance department filings, verified May 2026. Virginia limits reflect Virginia Code § 46.2-472 as amended January 1, 2025. Confirm current requirements with your insurer.

For Virginia, the pre-2025 limits apply only to policies originally written before January 1, 2025, that have not yet renewed. Any policy written or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, must meet the higher limits. If you're getting new coverage in 2026, the post-2025 minimums apply.

How to get it: Tell the insurer upfront that your license is suspended and ask which form your state requires before getting a quote. Not all insurers handle SR-22 or FR-44 filings. Progressive and GEICO file SR-22s in most states. Progressive also handles FR-44 filings in Florida and Virginia. Have your suspension or court documents ready. Expect rates 30% to 100% above standard, depending on the reason for suspension. Keep the policy active without any gaps. A lapse resets the reinstatement clock in most states.

You own a car that won't be driven: stored, collectible or seasonal use. You only need comprehensive coverage, which covers theft, vandalism, fire and weather damage but not accidents.

How to get it: Tell the insurer the car isn't being driven and request comprehensive-only coverage. You don't need to list a primary driver. Mention that the vehicle is stored or parked to trigger the lower parked car rate, which runs 40% to 60% less than standard full coverage. GEICO specializes in this and offers the lowest parked car rates at $40 to $75 per month.
You have a learner's permit and are working toward your full license. You can only drive with a licensed adult present, so buying a separate policy isn't necessary or cost-effective.

How to get it: Don't buy a separate policy. Get added to a parent's or guardian's existing policy instead. Have your permit copy ready when they call their insurer. Make sure the policy reflects that you'll only be covered when driving with a licensed adult. GEICO and State Farm are the cheapest options for most families adding a permit holder.
You have a valid driver's license from your home country, but not a U.S. license. Many insurers accept foreign licenses, passports or state ID cards as valid identification. They'll treat you as a new driver because they can't access your foreign driving record.

How to get it: Bring your foreign driver's license, passport and International Driving Permit when you call. State Farm, Progressive and Travelers are the most willing to insure international drivers. Be upfront that you don't have a U.S. license. Expect higher rates initially since insurers price you as a new driver regardless of your experience abroad. If you plan to stay long-term, getting a U.S. license as soon as you're eligible will lower your rate.

Companies Offering Car Insurance Without a License

Most major insurers require a license number to run a driving history check, and without that check, they won't quote you online. GEICO, Progressive and State Farm are the strongest options because they've built manual underwriting processes that allow agents to handle unlicensed applications by phone and can accommodate SR-22 filings, parked car policies and permit holders that most carriers turn away. If your situation is more complex, call ahead to confirm.

GEICO

Insures unlicensed drivers in all 50 states. Handles SR-22 filings for suspended licenses. Specializes in parked car coverage. Must speak with an agent. Online applications won't work. Call: 1-800-841-3000

Progressive

Accepts unlicensed drivers with flexible coverage options. Handles SR-22 and FR-44 filings for suspended licenses. Ask about parked car coverage options. Call: 1-866-749-7436

State Farm

Works with unlicensed drivers, especially families with learner's permit holders. Discuss excluded driver options and license reinstatement support with local agents. Call to ask about parked car coverage. Find a local agent on their website.

State Farm is the only option of the three that requires working through a local agent. GEICO and Progressive handle unlicensed applications entirely by phone.

Options if you are denied for car insurance without a license: Acceptance Insurance focuses on drivers other companies won't cover. Direct Auto specializes in high-risk drivers and non-standard situations. Commonwealth and Advantage Auto accept state-issued ID cards for unlicensed drivers.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost Without a License?

Our analysis found that Progressive, GEICO and Travelers offer the lowest car insurance rates for drivers without a license. Here are the cheapest insurers for each type of insurance with no license:

No license but a primary driver listed: GEICO is cheapest at $43 per month (36% below the national average) for liability only, and Travelers is cheapest at $97 per month on average (29% below the national average), followed closely by GEICO at $98 per month.
Parked car (comprehensive only): GEICO has the lowest rates at $40 to $75 per month.
Suspended license with SR-22: Progressive has the cheapest rates, ranging from $100 to $250 per month, and the SR-22 filing fee adds $15 to $50 one-time.
Suspended license with FR-44 (Florida and Virginia only): FR-44 requires higher minimum liability limits, which raises the base premium on top of the high-risk surcharge. Average cost ranges from $1,200 to $3,200 per year, based on MoneyGeek's analysis.
Teen drivers with a learner's permit added to their parents' policy: GEICO and State Farm are the cheapest options for teens.

Rates are based on MoneyGeek's analysis of 83,056 quotes across 46 insurers and 473 ZIP codes, with direct insurer verification for unlicensed driver policies.

For most drivers in this situation, liability-only coverage with a licensed primary driver is the most affordable path. GEICO's $43 per month rate is roughly half what full coverage costs. If your license is suspended and you need SR-22, expect to pay two to three times a standard rate until the filing requirement lifts. If your state requires FR-44, call Progressive first. It handles FR-44 filings in both Florida and Virginia.

? Call GEICO first at 1-800-841-3000, as it covers unlicensed drivers and has the lowest rates in most scenarios. If GEICO declines, try Progressive at 1-866-749-7436 next.

Insurance for No Driver's License: FAQ

What happens if I drive without a license?

Driving without a valid license is illegal. Insurance won't cover you. You'll pay fines, risk penalties and possible jail time. You're personally responsible for all accident costs, even if your vehicle is insured.

Why do insurance companies ask for a license?

Insurers use your license number to pull your driving history, including accidents, violations and claims. Without it, they can't assess your risk and will either charge more or decline to cover you.

Do drivers without a license need non owners car insurance?

Not while unlicensed. Non-owner car insurance policies require a valid driver's license. If you own a vehicle but can't drive, get a standard policy with a licensed primary driver listed and yourself as an excluded driver. Once your license is reinstated, a non-owner policy is worth considering if you don't own a car yet. GEICO and Progressive both offer non-owner policies by phone. Ask specifically for a non-owner policy when you call.

What ID do you need to get car insurance without a license?

Most insurers accept a state-issued ID card, passport or valid foreign driver's license in place of a U.S. driver's license. If someone else will be the primary driver, you'll also need their valid driver's license number. For suspended licenses, have your court or suspension documents ready. For learner's permits, bring a copy of your permit.

Car Insurance With No License: Our Methodology

We contacted insurance companies directly to identify which provide coverage for unlicensed drivers and calculated rates using a standard profile: a 40-year-old with a 2010 Toyota Camry LE, 12,000 annual miles and 100/300/100 coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Our analysis draws from 83,056 quotes across 46 insurers in 473 ZIP codes, sourced from Quadrant Information Services and state insurance departments, then verified through direct insurer contact for unlicensed driver policies.

We evaluated companies based on their willingness to insure unlicensed drivers, coverage options, application processes and geographic availability, adjusting our profile for suspended licenses, permit holders and first-time applicants. Read more about our methodology here.

Auto Insurance Without a License: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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Sources

Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. "Homepage." Accessed June 9, 2026.
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. "Moving to New Jersey." Accessed June 9, 2026.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. "Resources for Non-US citizens." Accessed June 9, 2026.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. "FLORIDA- Quarterly Insurance Industry Conference Call Agenda." Accessed May 10, 2026.
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. "Financial Responsibility Certifications." Accessed May 10, 2026.