Car insurance for temporary imports

What is car insurance for non-UK residents?

Car insurance for non-UK residents is designed for drivers who don’t permanently live in the UK, or don’t yet have a UK driving or insurance history. These policies allow foreign drivers to legally drive in the UK, either in a UK-registered vehicle or one registered abroad.

At a minimum, UK law requires third party insurance, which covers injury you cause to others, or damage to their vehicle or property.

Some insurers also offer more comprehensive cover. Availability often depends on factors such as where you’re from, how long you’re staying and the type of vehicle you’re driving.

It's worth noting that you can often drive in the UK with insurance from another country, especially from the EU/EEA or Green Card scheme countries. This will often only give third-party car insurance cover. You should also check with your car insurance provider first, as coverage varies.

What is temporary imported car insurance?

Temporary car insurance can cover your vehicle from just one hour up to a month. This short-term cover is more flexible than standard UK car insurance policies, which normally cover you for a whole year.

Temporary imported car insurance covers vehicles that are registered outside the UK, but are being driven here for a limited period. This is common for visitors, students, workers on short-term contracts or people touring the UK in their own vehicle.

These policies are specifically designed to meet UK legal requirements, while recognising that the vehicle and driver aren’t part of the UK system. For example, if your car is a left-hand drive.

Cover is usually arranged using the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or chassis number, rather than a UK registration plate - especially if the car hasn’t yet been registered with the DVLA.

Why is imported and temporary cover more difficult to find?

Insurance for temporary imports and non-UK residents is more limited because insurers see these policies as higher risk. Insurers might also struggle to accurately assess the cost of repairs and replacement parts.

Complications can be caused by:

• Limited or non-UK driving history
• Vehicles that don’t match UK specifications
• Difficulty verifying overseas documentation
• Uncertainty over how long the car will remain in the UK

Because of this, fewer insurers offer this type of cover, and premiums can be higher than with standard UK car insurance.

What documents do non-UK residents need to get temporary car insurance?

To arrange temporary car insurance as a non-UK resident or for a temporary import, insurers usually ask for additional paperwork. This might include:

1. A valid foreign driving licence, and sometimes an international driving permit (IDP)
2. Proof of identity and UK address (temporary or permanent)
3. Vehicle details, such as the VIN or chassis number
4. The V5C logbook, if the vehicle has already been registered in the UK
5. Proof of ownership or import documentation

Having these documents ready can help speed up the application process.

Find out more about driving in the UK on a non-UK licence.

There’s also a tool you can use to work out if you can drive in Britain on a non-GB licence at GOV.UK.

How long can I drive an imported car in the UK?

In most cases, a non-UK registered car can be driven in the UK for up to six months in any 12-month period without being permanently registered. 

During this time, the vehicle must be taxed (where required), insured, and meet UK road safety standards.

Once this time limit is reached, the car must either be exported again or formally registered in the UK. This time limit often determines how long a temporary import insurance policy can run.

There are slightly different rules if you're coming from the EU to Northern Ireland. Find out more about temporary car imports at GOV.UK.

Importing a car permanently when moving to the UK

If you’re relocating to the UK and bringing your car with you permanently, the process is more involved. You’ll usually need to:

• Notify HMRC that the vehicle has been imported within 14 days
• Make sure the car meets UK safety and emissions standards
• Your car may need to be tested under the individual vehicle approval (IVA) scheme to ensure it’s fit for permanent use on UK roads
• Register the vehicle with the DVLA
• Pay VAT and duty if HMRC tells you to

Before registration is complete, many drivers need temporary insurance based on the VIN or chassis number, as a permanent UK policy can’t usually be arranged without a UK registration number.

Once registration is finalised, you can switch to a standard UK car insurance policy.

There are slightly different rules if coming from the EU to Northern Ireland.