Insurance Tips
Buying a used car and driving it home
What to check and how to stay legal
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 21/07/2026
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 21/07/2026
Found your next car? Now it’s time to take the keys and drive it home. But before you put your hands on the wheel and foot on the pedal, there will be a few admin bits to sort out.
Although it may be frustrating when you just want to hit the road, these are important elements that ensure you’re driving safely and legally. Buying a used car can be expensive enough without any unwanted penalties of points…
Here’s what to check and how you can arrange driveaway insurance.
Performing a few checks now can save you a lot of hassle further down the line…
All of the above checks are relatively quick to perform, fairly affordable and help put your mind at ease before handing over money for a vehicle.
As much as you’d like to drive a car the moment the sale is complete, there are a few important things to sort out first - not least the insurance. You won’t buy a car with cover and it’s illegal to drive without insurance, no matter how short the journey.
There are a few options when it comes to adding insurance:
If, for any reason, you can’t drive the car home, you could ask someone who can get insured to drive it home or tow it if you have access to a trailer.
This is where Tempcover comes in. You won't need to commit to an annual policy when buying a used car - and you don’t need one in place already.
You might just need cover for an hour or two (or however long your journey home is). To get a temporary car insurance quote, you’ll need to provide a few simple details:
Our temporary cover works on its own, with comprehensive protection as standard, so you're not left checking the small print. You might just need cover for an hour or two (or however long your journey home is).
To get a temporary car insurance quote, you'll need to provide a few simple details:
Get your quote online or via the Tempcover app, pay and your comprehensive cover will start at the moment you have suggested. There’s no waiting on hold or endless forms to fill out. Just make sure you have the policy details on you for your journey home.
Potential penalties for driving uninsured include:
Once you’ve got the car back home, there are still a few bits to do:
Once you’ve done all of the above, you can start your next journey.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/driving-without-tax-guide
https://motoringmojo.com/tax-a-car-you-just-bought-uk
https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/endorsement-codes-and-penalty-points
https://www.uswitch.com/car-insurance/guides/driving-without-insurance
https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/driving-without-insurance
https://legalclarity.org/whats-the-maximum-fine-for-driving-without-insurance-uk/
Driving someone else's car without the correct insurance is illegal. You could receive six to eight points on your licence and a £300 fixed penalty fine. If your case goes to court, the fine may increase. Always ensure you have proper insurance, such as temporary car insurance, when driving another person's vehicle.
No, it is illegal to drive a car home without tax, and there is no grace period. Vehicle tax does not transfer between owners. You must tax the car before driving it on public roads. Use the GOV.UK Vehicle Tax Service with the 12-digit reference number from the V5C/2 new keeper slip. Ensure you have insurance and a valid MOT in place.
You can drive a second-hand car home, but you must be insured first. If you have an existing car insurance policy, check if it allows driving other vehicles. Without insurance, you must arrange cover before driving. A seller's insurance might not cover you, so clarify with them. Alternatively, consider temporary car insurance to ensure you're legally covered on the road.
You can drive your car home from the dealership, but it depends on the dealership's policies. Some offer temporary drive-away insurance for 5 to 7 days, but this isn't guaranteed. They might also handle taxing the car and transferring ownership. Always confirm these details with the dealership, as practices can vary. If needed, consider arranging your own temporary car insurance for peace of mind.
Yes, you can tax a car and drive it the same day, but you need valid car insurance first. The DVLA checks the Motor Insurance Database (MID) in real time before you can tax your vehicle. Once insured, use the 12-digit reference number from the "new keeper slip" to tax your car online via the GOV.UK Vehicle Tax service. Ensure your insurance is active and recognised by the MID.
No, there is no grace period for vehicle tax in the UK. Your car must be taxed from the first day of the month it expires. Missing the deadline results in an automatic £80 fine, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. If you won't drive the car, declare it off-road (SORN) immediately to avoid penalties. Manage tax or SORN via the GOV.UK Vehicle Tax Service.
The "30-day rule" in the UK, under the Consumer Rights Act, allows you to reject a faulty used car within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. The car must meet the criteria of being "as described," "fit for purpose," and of "satisfactory quality" given its age and mileage. This applies to purchases from licensed dealerships, not private sales.
No. Tempcover's temporary car insurance works on its own, so you don't need an annual policy in place first. This makes it ideal for driving a used car home, since you often won't have arranged annual cover yet. Cover is comprehensive as standard, for the exact length of time you need, from 1 hour up to 28 days.
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