Drivers warned of 1.5 million illegal test drives as ‘26 plates released
Number plate frenzy puts buyers, sellers & pedestrians at increased financial and legal risk
Last updated: 26/02/2026
Last updated: 26/02/2026
As the new ‘26 number plates are released this Sunday, private car sellers and buyers are putting themselves at risk due to uninsured - and illegal - test drives. What many believe is a harmless spin around the block is in fact a risky gamble that could lead to heavy fines and driving bans.
New analysis suggests over 1.5 million illegal test drives* could be taking place in the UK annually, warns temporary car insurance provider Tempcover. The figures follow a steady rise in used car transactions, which hit 7.8 million last year. With the unorganised/private market now holding a 58.23% share, more drivers are taking to the road for test drives, with many at risk of not having the correct legal protections in place.
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 ‘26 plates - the age identifier for vehicles registered between March 2026 and August 2026 - due this Sunday March 1st, a 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.
Rules state that motorists must have valid car insurance in place before driving a vehicle, even for a short spin. However, of the motorists who privately bought a car in the last five years and took a test drive, 15% did so either knowing they didn’t have the correct cover, or failing to check their insurance policy in advance.
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 the level of coverage also played a role. 28% of motorists were certain their fully comprehensive insurance would cover them for a test drive, despite many annual insurers moving away from including ‘driving other cars’ as a standard benefit in the early 2000s. A further 14% were not completely sure about their cover.
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%).
There are serious legal consequences involved with an illegal test drive, including a £300 fine and six penalty points. If the case goes to court, motorists could face unlimited fines, and even be disqualified from driving.
Worryingly, half of drivers did not know they could face a fine (49%) and an even greater number were unaware they could face a driving ban (67%). However, the risk is more than just legal, 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.
And it’s not just the driver who pays the price. Under the Road Traffic Act, a seller can also be found guilty of an offence for ‘causing or permitting’ someone to use their vehicle without insurance. Without the correct insurance in place, a seller may also be left footing the bill for thousands of pounds in repairs if an accident occurs.
A standalone temporary insurance policy can serve as a vital security tool. Tempcover requires a Driving Licence Number (DLN) to secure a temporary policy; this creates a verifiable digital trail, helping to deter criminals who might use a test drive as an opportunity for theft.
Commenting on the findings, Jake Lambert, a temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover warns: “The risk of an uninsured test drive goes beyond just fines; it puts cars, pedestrians and road users in danger. Many drivers mistakenly assume they’re covered for a test drive when they’re buying privately. However, in reality, most modern annual insurance policies exclude ‘driving other cars cover’, meaning 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 for a quick 10 minutes round the block. A simple solution is a fully comprehensive, temporary car insurance policy, which can cover you for as little as an hour. Tempcover lets you test drive without the legal pitfalls while also acting as a vital vetting layer against theft.”
Research conducted by Mortar Research amongst 2,002 UK adults, all with a driver’s licence and access to a car in August 2025.
** https://www.motorfinanceonline.com/news/uk-march-new-car-sales/
