Cheap Auto Insurance for Driving Tests in 2026 (Save Money With These 10 Companies!)

Erie Insurance, State Farm, and Travelers stand out as the best options for cheap auto insurance for driving tests. Whether you’re a teen driver getting your first license or you waited a little longer to start driving, you must ensure you coverage meets driving test insurance requirements. 

Auto insurance for teens and inexperienced drivers can be prohibitively expensive, but you probably don’t need to buy an individual policy. If you’re taking a parent or guardian’s car, they can add you to their policy for much less. You’ll also probably be covered if you borrow a friend or relative’s car with their permission. 

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Cheap Auto Insurance for Driving Tests

Read on to learn more about driving test insurance and which option might suit you best. You can then find the cheapest auto insurance for driving tests by entering your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool. 

#1 – Erie: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• Affordable Rates: Erie Auto Insurance offers rates below the national average, making it a cost-effective option for driving test insurance. See our review of Erie auto insurance to compare rates and learn more about this provider.
• Potential Savings with Multiple discounts: Erie provides various discounts, including multi-policy, safe driving, and reduced usage discounts helping policyholders save money.
• Extensive Coverage Options: Erie offers a wide range of coverage options beyond driving test insurance requirements, ensuring drivers can customize their policies to suit their needs.
• Unique Features: Erie includes unique features such as locked rates and diminishing deductibles, enhancing the value of their policies.

Cons

• Limited Coverage Availability: Erie Auto Insurance is not available in all states, limiting coverage options for potential customers in need of driving test insurance. 
• Add-on Coverage/Feature Restrictions: Some add-on coverages, such as rideshare insurance and certain perks like Better Car Replacement, may not be available in all states. 

#2 – State Farm: Best for Discounts for New Drivers

Pros

• Diverse Discounts: State Farm provides a range of discounts tailored to its driver’s, including young adults and first-time drivers. For example, the good student discount and Steer Clear program are designed for drivers under 25. You can review additional available discounts in our State Farm Auto Insurance Review.
• Competitive High-Risk Rates: Typically first-time drivers have high rates due to inexperience, but State Farm offers more affordable high-risk car insurance rates, ideal for those needing auto insurance for driving tests. 
• Strong Financial Standing: State Farm boasts an A++ rating from A.M. Best, ensuring its capability to fulfill claims obligations.

Cons

• Lack of Gap Insurance: First-time drivers with new vehicles may need to seek coverage elsewhere as State Farm does not provide gap insurance. 
• Limited Discount Availability: Discount availability and amounts with State Farm vary by state, potentially leading to inconsistent savings opportunities.

#3 – Travelers: Best for Customizable Coverage

Pros

• Responsible Driver Program: With Travelers’ Responsible Driver plan, you avoid rate increases after your initial accident or traffic violation. Although this coverage comes at an extra cost, it may yield long-term benefits for new drivers.
• Diverse Student Discounts: Travelers provides discounts for good students, students away from home and driver training.
• Customizable Coverage Choices: Travelers offers ample opportunities to tailor your policy to your needs, ensuring you meet driving test insurance requirements. Explore the full range of add-on choices in our Travelers Auto Insurance Review.

Cons

• Coverage Not Available Nationwide: Travelers operates exclusively within 42 states.
• Average Pricing for Coverage: Travelers’ insurance rates typically fall in line with the national average. While not the most expensive option, there are alternatives offering more affordable rates.

#4 – Geico: Best for Online Tools

Pros

• Budget-Friendly Premiums: Geico offers the budget-friendly car insurance for all drivers, including those new behind the wheel. 
• Variety of Student Discounts: Teen drivers can take advantage of Geico’s DriveEasy, good student, good driver and student organization discounts, making it easy for college students to access affordable coverage. A full list of discounts is available in our Geico Car Insurance Review. 
• Excellent Online Tools: Geico’s advanced mobile app and website provide new drivers with convenient management of their car insurance policies and premium payments.

 

Cons

• Limited Add-on Coverage Options: New drivers seeking add-on coverage like new car replacement, vanishing deductibles or rideshare insurance won’t find them available with Geico.
• Limited Local Agent Presence: Geico lacks sufficient brick-and-mortar offices for customer service, requiring communication with representatives primarily over the phone.

#5 – The Hartford: Best for Older Adult Drivers

Pros

• Affordable Rates for Older Adults: While The Hartford specializes in offering low rates to older adults, younger drivers may also find competitive prices compared to other insurers.
• AARP Benefits: AARP members can access exclusive benefits such as lifetime renewability, 12-month rate protection, and accident forgiveness, enhancing the overall value of their policies.
• Comprehensive Coverage Options: The Hartford offers a range of coverage options suitable for teens and new drivers, including liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance, ensuring adequate protection on the road. See our review of The Hartford auto insurance for more information.

Cons

• Higher Rates for Younger Drivers: While The Hartford provides competitive rates for older adults, younger drivers may face higher premiums due to their age and lack of driving experience.
• Limited Online Tools: The Hartford offers basic online tools such as an online quote calculator and claim filing, but its technological offerings may not match those of some competitors. 

#6 – Progressive: Best for Coverage Options

Pros

• Innovative Coverage options: Progressive stands out for offering unique features such as accident forgiveness and pet injury coverage. Moreover, the Deductible Savings Bank feature allows policyholders to reduce their deductible by $50 for every six months without violations or claims. Our Progressive Auto Insurance Review provides further details about its types of auto insurance coverage. 
• Tailored Student Discounts: Progressive’s Name Your Price tool enables customers to customize their premiums, ensuring the cost of insurance better aligns with their budget. With discounts like Progressive Snapshot, good student, student away and teen driver discounts, college-age drivers can benefit from significant savings. 
• User-Friendly Mobile App: Progressive provides a convenient mobile app that allows policyholders to easily handle bill payments, file claims and make policy adjustments to ensure you have coverage that meet driving test insurance requirements. 

Cons

• Potential Rate Increases: Progressive may raise rates for new drivers following their first accident, unless they have accident forgiveness included in their policy. 
• Restricted Bundle Options: Progressive offers few opportunities for bundling, limiting your potential for savings.

#7 – American Family: Best for Loyalty Discount

Pros

• KnowYourDrive Program: American Family’s KnowYourDrive usage-based program offers significant discounts to safe drivers who successfully participate in the program. You can learn more in our American Family Auto Insurance Review. 
• Loyalty Discounts: American Family provides loyalty discounts to drivers who maintain their policy with the company, offering a means for individuals with poor credit to save over time.
• Accident Forgiveness: American Family offers accident forgiveness to eligible safe drivers, ensuring that their rates remain unaffected after their first accident with American Family.

Cons

• Limited Availability: American Family doesn’t operate in all 50 states, so drivers may need to consider different auto insurance for driving tests. 
• Expensive Rates: Rates may be higher for younger or high-risk drivers.

#8 – Nationwide: Best for Discount Offerings

Pros

• Vanishing Deductible: Nationwide’s vanishing deductible program enables drivers with poor credit to benefit from lower deductibles, fostering potential savings.
• Competitive Discount Offerings: Nationwide provides numerous discounts to ensure its rates remain competitive compared to other providers. Explore additional discounts in our Nationwide Auto Insurance Review.
• SmartRide Program: Nationwide’s SmartRide usage-based program rewards safe drivers with discounts, enhancing affordability after new driver’s take their driving tests and gain experience. 

Cons

• Not Available in All States: Nationwide doesn’t sell auto insurance in all 50 states, so it’s not an option for drivers in certain locations. 
• Limited Local Agent Availability: even in states served by Nationwide, there’s a lack of local agents in certain regions, posing challenges for drivers seeking in-person assistance. 

#9 – Farmers: Best for UBI Savings

Pros

• Signal App: New drivers have a chance to save with Farmers Signal, a usage-based auto insurance program offering potential savings of up to 30% for safe driving, complete with crash detection. Additionally, maintaining a driving score of 80% or better each month enters participants into a monthly gift card drawing. 
• Driver Education Resources: Farmers’ website features an array of informative articles, blog posts and guides covering diverse car insurance topics, policy options and risk management tips, perfect for those preparing to take their driving test. These resources, along with details on available discounts, have the potential to reduce premiums for college students over time.
• Strong Local Agent Network: With an extensive network of agents, Farmers provides personalized assistance to drivers managing their car insurance policies and ensure they have the appropriate driving test insurance. 

Cons

• High Premiums for College Students: College students typically incur high monthly costs for full coverage auto insurance with Farmers. Check out average rates in our Farmers Auto Insurance Review. 
• Limited Availability: Farmers car insurance is not accessible in all 50 states, so coverage options are restricted. 

#10 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Accident Forgiveness

Pros

• Excellent Digital Tools: Liberty Mutual equips drivers with convenient online and mobile app features for bill payments, policy management and claims filing.
• Accident Forgiveness Option: Liberty Mutual provides the option to add accident forgiveness at an additional cost, ensuring rates remain unaffected after the first accident if the driver maintains a clean record.
• Generous Discount Offerings: Liberty Mutual offers numerous discounts beneficial to college students, including good student, student away, RightTrack and multi-car discounts. More details regarding discounts are available in our Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Review. 

Cons

• Costly Premiums: Liberty Mutual typically offers rates that are higher compared to many competitors.
• Complicated Claims Procedures: Liberty Mutual’s claims process can be intricate and time-consuming for some, causing frustration among policyholders.

Driving Test Auto Insurance Requirements

The type driving test insurance you need varies from state to state, and you need to verify the requirements in your location to see if your insurance policy is sufficient. 

Liability Auto Insurance Requirements by State

Many companies offer non-owner insurance if you plan on borrowing a car but want your own coverage. Non-owner car insurance for driving tests would cover you, no matter whose car you drive.

The test administrator will check to see that you have the minimum requirement before the test can proceed. After all, one thing is for sure: driving a car during a test without proper insurance is illegal.

If you’ve never had a license before, every state requires that you take both a written and practical driving test. You need to pass both to get your driver’s license.

You will need to satisfy certain requirements by your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before attempting the driving test. Whether you borrow or own the vehicle, you will need your state’s minimum required car insurance for a driving test. 

Using a Borrowed Vehicle for Driving Tests

Most people in this situation be borrowing a car for their driving test but may be waiting to pass the test before they can purchase one. If you already legally own a vehicle, you can register it in your name before taking the test. 

If you don’t own a vehicle, you may borrow one from someone you live with, such as a parent. Many liability car insurance policies will allow you to use the borrowed car for your driving test so long as the policyholder has given permission. 

You’ll also need to make sure to check if the documentation in your insurance policy includes driving test insurance requirements.

Using a Rental Car for Driving Tests

If you cannot borrow a vehicle elsewhere, it may be possible for you to use a rental car for your driving test. You won’t be able to rent a car yourself without a valid license, but you can ask a family member to do so. Make sure the rental company allows other drivers. You may be required to get supplemental rental car insurance.

Temporary Auto Insurance for Driving Tests

Some insurers offer temporary auto insurance for a period of a few days. However, this will only apply to a registered driver, and you need to check to see if the company will add you as a permissive user.

Find the Best Auto Insurance for Driving Tests Today

When you are preparing to take your driving test, ensure that the vehicle you use has the correct type of coverage to meet the state minimum auto insurance requirements. Additionally, make sure that the owner’s insurance coverage extends to you for this occasion. 

If you want to use a rental car, somebody else will need to sign the contract, and you should check with the rental company first to ensure coverage extends to you.

Save time and money by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool for customized rate comparisons.