Drivers in the UK are increasingly interested in flexible car ownership, according to temporary car insurance provider Uswitch.

Searches for ‘cheap temporary car insurance’ increased by 236% between 2021 and 2025, and active car club membership has increased by 143% since 2019, showing some motorists’ desire to do away with a personal car, instead opting to rent or borrow one when needed.

Searches for ‘short-term car insurance’ were up by 82% in the same period, with an average of 27,100 monthly searches during the year commencing in April 2024.

Car clubs enable members to rent a vehicle by the hour or day, enabling people who only occasionally need a car to have a more flexible car ownership experience.

Felicity Ferguson, temporary car insurance expert at Uswitch, said: “The data suggests we could be seeing a gradual shift towards more flexible driving habits, where people still want access to a car, but not necessarily the full-time costs and responsibilities of owning one.”

Between 2003 and 2023, driving license ownership among 21 to 29 year olds decreased by 10%, potentially signifying changing attitudes towards driving for young people, although a 2023 survey by the RAC found that most young people avoid learning to drive due to the high perceived cost of driving lessons.

In the same period, the number of journeys made by personal cars also decreased by 20%, pointing to a changing relationship with the car for many.

Other factors could include long wait times for a driving test, with the AA reporting that the average wait time is now 20 weeks.

Ferguson continued: “Temporary car insurance is a practical solution for this kind of part-time driving.

“It provides short-term cover exactly when it’s needed, giving drivers the freedom to stay mobile without committing to an annual policy.

“As lifestyles become more flexible, insurance needs to keep up, and that’s where temporary cover proves its value.”