Millions of Brits are breaking the law with illegal test drives — many don't even know it

New research has revealed a rife issue with potential car buyers taking illegal test drives — a seemingly safe spin around the block could actually be a serious legal liability.

According to data from Tempcover, there could be over 1.3 million illegal test drives happening in the UK every year. The temporary car insurance provider has warned that drivers involved in these illegal trial runs can face surprisingly severe sanctions, including hefty fines and even driving bans.

Among drivers who privately purchased a car in the last five years, 86 per cent took a test drive. But a whopping 15 per cent admitted to taking one either fully aware of the fact that they didn't have the right insurance, or without checking their insurance policy beforehand.

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This is especially risky because standard fully comprehensive annual car insurance policies do not automatically cover drivers who are behind the wheel of someone else's vehicle. The warning comes just as the UK enters the peak season for used car sales and test drives — September.

The month marks the arrival of the new '75' plates, which triggers a buying frenzy as sellers aim to avoid depreciation that comes with an older registration — buyers rush to get the latest models at reduced prices.

Another factor is government incentives encouraging electric vehicle (EV) purchases. A grant worth up to £3,750 on eligible EVshas led to 48 per cent of UK drivers saying they are more likely to consider taking an EV for a test drive, increasing the likelihood of illegal drives in the coming months.

One key of the reasons behind motorists taking such a massive risk is a basic misunderstanding of the law. The research found that almost two in five (37%) people who took a private test drive wrongly believed they were covered by the seller's insurance.

A surprising 40 per cent of the motorists surveyed were entirely unaware that driving without suitable insurance during a test drive was illegal, while a further 28 per cent thought their comprehensive insurance covered test drives.

Some drivers knowingly took the risk, thinking a short drive was unlikely to be noticed (21 per cent), with others took a gamble because they really wanted to buy the car (12 per cent). However, the dangers of illegal test drives are very real — 19 per cent of buyers and sellers reported experiencing an accident or near-miss during test drives.

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The legal consequences of an illegal test drive can be severe. Drivers caught without proper insurance can face a £300 fine and six points on their licence. More serious cases may involve court appearances, bigger fines and even driving bans.

Alarmingly, 49 per cent of the drivers surveyed didn't know they could be fined, and 67 per cent didn't realise they could get banned from driving. Astonishingly, 10 per cent didn't think they faced any risks at all.

Insurance expert at Tempcover, Claire Wills-McKissick, said: "The risk of an uninsured test drive goes beyond just fines. The safety of pedestrians and other road users are also at risk and it's simply not worth the danger to yourself and others. Many drivers mistakenly believe they're covered for a test drive when they're buying privately, when in reality, these sellers have no legal obligation to insure a prospective buyer.

"This misunderstanding leaves millions of drivers exposed, especially in casual private sales if you don’t check. Fully comprehensive insurance doesn’t automatically allow a motorist to drive any vehicle unless explicitly stated. In fact, many annual insurers began removing this cover in the early 2000s, and today, 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 if it's a quick 10 minutes round the block. An easy solution is a fully comprehensive, temporary car insurance policy, which can cover you for as little as an hour, so you can test drive without the legal pitfalls."

So before taking a test drive, it's always a good idea to ensure you have the correct insurance in place to avoid hefty fines, points on your licence, or even a driving ban.

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