Can I insure a car without a driving licence in Germany?
In short
Yes. In Germany you can insure a car and register it in your name without a driving licence, because the duty to insure lies with the keeper (Halter), not the driver. You may not drive it yourself, and you may only let people with a valid licence drive it. Without any history the policy usually starts in SF 0 at about 230 percent of the base rate.
Typical ratings and premiums when the keeper has no licence.
Example
Typical range
New policy without history, SF 0
often about 230 percent of the base rate
Second car via a relative, SF 1/2
usually about 100 to 140 percent
Compact car, liability as a first policy
roughly EUR 690 a year
Same car with the second car rule
roughly EUR 420 a year
Guide values as of October 2026 from published tariff examples.
Your premium depends mainly on the youngest driver, the car and where you live;
as a broker we obtain the exact quote.
Worked example
Inherited car, the daughter drives
A man without a licence inherits a compact car. His 30 year old daughter, who has her own car and policy, will drive it.
His own policy in SF 0
roughly EUR 690 liability a year
As a second car under the daughter's policy
roughly EUR 420 liability a year
Keeper
still the father, without a licence
With his daughter as policyholder he saves roughly EUR 270 a year, as long as only she drives.
Who has to insure a car in Germany
Under section 1 of the Compulsory Insurance Act (Pflichtversicherungsgesetz), the keeper of a vehicle must take out liability insurance covering the keeper, the owner and the driver. Nothing in it requires the keeper to hold a licence. So you can insure a car without a driving licence and register it in your name.
Keeper, policyholder and driver can be three different people. Typical cases are an inherited car, a parent who keeps a car for an adult child, or someone who no longer drives after an illness and is driven by others.
What you may not do without a licence
Driving without a licence is a crime under section 21 of the Road Traffic Act (Straßenverkehrsgesetz), punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine. The same applies if you, as keeper, order or allow someone without a licence to drive your car. Only hand over the keys to people whose licence you have seen.
If your own licence is withdrawn, tell your insurer, even if others keep driving the car. That keeps the driver details in the policy correct.
Why the premium is often high
Most people without a licence also have no claim-free years. A new policy then starts in no-claims class SF 0 (Schadenfreiheitsklasse), one of the most expensive classes. Young drivers add to the cost: many tariffs charge a surcharge for drivers under 23 or 25.
It is often cheaper to insure the car as a second car (Zweitwagen) of a relative who already has a policy. Many insurers then start in SF 1/2 or better. You can still be the keeper without a licence if the relative is the policyholder.
Option
Starting class
When it fits
Own policy without history
usually SF 0
no relative has a motor policy
Second car through a parent or partner
often SF 1/2 or better
a relative already insures a car
Taking over a relative's no-claims class
limited by the driver's licence years
someone gives up their car for good
Naming the drivers correctly
When the keeper has no licence, only the actual drivers matter. Name everyone who drives regularly, with date of birth. If an unnamed driver causes an accident, the victim is still paid, but the tariff may charge you a back payment or penalty.
Ask before signing whether the tariff accepts a policyholder without a licence. Most insurers mainly ask about the drivers, but some price by the policyholder's age.
When not to keep the car insured
If an inherited car only sits in the garage, deregister it instead. Under the usual terms the policy then turns into free dormant cover (Ruheversicherung), and tax and premium stop.
If your child will only get a licence in a few months, registering the car early rarely pays off. A policy nobody drives does not build claim-free years your child could use later.
Step by step
Decide who will drive and check that every driver holds a valid licence.
Ask whether a relative can insure the car as a second car.
Get quotes naming all drivers and their ages.
Obtain the insurance code (eVB-Nummer) and register the car.
Give the keys only to the named drivers.
Checklist
All regular drivers named
Licence of every driver seen
Second car rule or class transfer checked
Insurer told about a withdrawn licence
Deregistration considered if nobody drives
Common mistakes
Driving a short distance yourself because you are the keeper
Letting a friend without a licence drive
Leaving out the young main driver to save money
Keeping an unused car insured instead of deregistering it
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Can I register a car without a driving licence?
Yes.
You need ID, the vehicle papers and the insurance code from your insurer, but no licence.
Who may drive my car if I have no licence?
Anyone with a valid licence who is named in the policy or allowed by the tariff.
Driving without a licence is a crime, and so is allowing it as keeper.
Is insurance more expensive without a licence?
Not because of the missing licence, but because there are usually no claim-free years.
Without history the policy starts in SF 0.
Can I build up claim-free years without driving?
The policy collects years if it stays claim free.
Who may take them over later is set by the tariff, usually only the person who actually drove.
What happens if my licence is withdrawn?
The policy continues.
Tell the insurer and name the new drivers.
Do I need insurance for an inherited car that just sits there?
Not if you deregister it.
Under the usual terms the policy then rests free of charge.
