🛻 Insurance for an Unregistered Car

Insurance for an Unregistered Car and What You Need to Know

Buying a car is always a big step, whether it’s a brand-new car from a dealership, a used car, or one imported from abroad. You’ll want to drive it right away. However, before you do, there are a few necessary formalities to complete, including registering the car with “Regitra.”

And this often raises the question: Is it legal to drive a car that doesn’t yet have license plates? The answer is “yes,” but only if you have valid civil liability insurance for an unregistered car. This insurance allows you to legally and safely drive the car even before completing the registration procedures—for example, to take it for a vehicle inspection, to a repair shop, or simply to drive it for your own needs.

When is insurance required for an unregistered car?

Situations where you need to drive an unregistered car temporarily come up often. One such situation is when you purchase a car from abroad and bring it back to Lithuania, but haven’t registered it yet. Another is when you buy a new or used vehicle in Lithuania, but it does not yet have a license plate because you are waiting for your registration appointment. This type of insurance is also used when you need to take the car for a technical inspection, as the car cannot be registered without passing it.

Another fairly common situation is when a car is parked in another city or district, and you simply need to transport it safely to your driveway or a repair shop. In all these cases, the vehicle isn’t officially registered yet, but you want—or even need—to drive it on the road. That’s exactly when it comes in handy Insurance for an unregistered car, which makes it legal to do so.

How does temporary civil liability insurance work?

Temporary insurance is essentially the same as regular mandatory civil liability insurance—it covers damage you cause to other road users if you are involved in a traffic accident. However, the difference is that it is valid for a very limited period—from one to thirty days, depending on your needs. Most importantly, this insurance is valid even if the car does not yet have a license plate—all you need is the VIN, model, and other technical information.

This allows you to take your car in for a technical inspection, to “Regitra,” or simply to have it towed, knowing that you are protected against unexpected financial losses. However, it’s important to note that this insurance does not cover damage to the vehicle itself—it’s intended only for damage caused to third parties. It also does not exempt you from the obligation to register the car; it is merely a temporary solution to help you transition from the purchase to the completion of full registration.

What information is required to get insurance?

To obtain temporary insurance for an unregistered car, you won’t need license plates or a vehicle registration certificate. However, you will need to provide some basic information. First and foremost, this is the vehicle’s VIN number, which is a unique identifier for every vehicle. You’ll also need the make, model, and year of manufacture of the vehicle.

Depending on the insurer, you may be asked to provide information about the engine displacement or fuel type. Another important detail is your personal information: first name, last name, and personal identification number—or company details, if you’re insuring the car as a legal entity. Finally, you’ll need to specify where you plan to use the car—whether only in Lithuania or also in other EU countries—and for how long you want the policy to be valid. The policy term is usually 30 days.

How can I quickly get temporary insurance online?

Whereas in the past, to purchase temporary insurance, you had to call insurance companies, visit their offices, or spend time filling out paperwork by hand, today the process is much simpler. Through the Draudykle.lt platform, Unregistered Car Calculator You can do this online in just a few minutes; you can do this online in just a few minutes.

Simply enter the basic information about your car and yourself, and the system will automatically display quotes from all insurers. You can choose the one that suits you best, pay by bank transfer or in cash at Maxima or Perlo cash registers, and receive a valid policy via email immediately after payment. This is especially useful when the situation calls for a quick solution—for example, if you need to go to the vehicle inspection station the same day or have your car towed.

Why shouldn't you take the risk of driving without insurance?

Sometimes drivers think that if a car isn’t registered yet, they don’t need insurance—after all, “it’s just for a short time, and nothing will happen.” However, this is a mistaken and risky attitude. Driving on public roads without valid liability insurance is a violation that can result in significant fines.

And what about liability for damages in the event of an accident? In that case, you’d have to cover the entire cost out of your own pocket, even if only the other car were damaged. That’s why it’s better to get temporary insurance—it doesn’t cost much, but it protects you from very costly consequences.

Preparing for registration starts with insurance

Although registering a car seems like the main step after purchasing it, people often forget that in certain cases, temporary insurance is required first. It allows you to safely and legally drive wherever you need to go—to a vehicle inspection, to “Regitra,” or simply to bring the car back from another city. And if everything can be done online, quickly and hassle-free—why take the risk?

Temporary civil liability insurance for an unregistered car is a solution that helps you avoid trouble and ensures your safety from the very first days after purchase. So if you’ve just bought a car and don’t have license plates yet—get insurance first. It’s a quick, reliable, and smart move.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When do you need insurance for an unregistered car?

This type of insurance is required when the car is not yet registered with “Regitra,” but it must be transported or driven on public roads—for example, to undergo a vehicle inspection or visit “Regitra,” to be brought from another city, or to undergo repairs.

Can I drive without license plates if I have temporary insurance?

No. Insurance alone is not enough—the vehicle must have valid temporary license plates issued by Regitra.

How long is the insurance coverage valid for an unregistered car?

The standard period is 30 calendar days, during which you must register the car or take any other necessary steps.

What does this temporary ban cover?

Temporary insurance works just like regular mandatory civil liability insurance (TPVCA)—it covers damage to the property or health of other road users if you cause a traffic accident. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle.

Can I buy insurance online?

Yes. You can purchase insurance on online insurance platforms, such as Draudykle.lt, where, once you fill in the information, you immediately receive several quotes from insurers, and the policy is sent to you by email.

Does this insurance exempt you from the obligation to register the car?

No. This is a temporary solution intended for a specific transitional period, but the car must still be registered within the specified time frame.

Can I travel abroad with this insurance?

Some insurance companies allow you to select a coverage area that includes not only Lithuania but also EU countries. You must specify this when filling out the information before purchasing insurance.

What will happen if I drive without insurance or license plates?

This is considered a violation. The following penalties apply for driving without civil liability insurance: administrative fines, and in the event of a traffic accident, you will have to cover all the damages yourself.