Can I Drive Someone Else’s Car with FR44 Insurance?

Closeup image of mechanic giving car keys to client

If you’ve had a DUI in Florida, you’ve probably heard the term FR44 insurance more times than you care to count. It’s a special type of liability coverage the state requires before your license can be reinstated. But what happens if you want to drive someone else’s car — or a rental — and you’re still under that FR44 requirement? Here’s what you need to know.

How FR44 Insurance Works

After a serious driving offense like a DUI, Florida law requires much higher liability limits before you’re allowed to legally drive again. That’s where the FR44 comes in. It’s not an insurance policy itself — it’s a state filing that your insurance company sends to the Florida DMV confirming that you carry these increased limits:

  • $100,000 for bodily injury per person
  • $300,000 for bodily injury per accident
  • $50,000 for property damage

Once that filing is made, and your license is reinstated, you’re legally allowed to drive again — but only if you maintain that coverage continuously for at least three years.

Driving Your Own Car with FR44

If you own a vehicle, your FR44 filing will be attached to your personal auto insurance policy. This policy must meet or exceed the coverage levels above, and it allows you to legally drive your own car in Florida. That part’s pretty straightforward.

Can I Drive Someone Else’s Car with FR44 Insurance?

Yes — but only under certain conditions. If you don’t own a vehicle and want to drive occasionally, you’ll need what’s called a non-owner FR44 policy. This type of policy satisfies Florida’s requirements for license reinstatement, but it comes with some key limitations:

  • It covers you when you borrow a car occasionally, such as a friend’s vehicle
  • It does not cover vehicles you own or have regular access to (like a spouse’s car you drive daily)
  • It does not apply to rental cars, work vehicles, or rideshare driving

So if you plan to drive someone else’s car every now and then, and you don’t have regular access to it, a non-owner FR44 policy can be a great option.

What If I Don’t Own a Car?

Many people who are required to file an FR44 don’t actually own a vehicle. But that doesn’t let you off the hook. To reinstate your license, you’ll still need to purchase a policy — even if you’re not driving regularly. That’s where the non-owner FR44 policy really shines. It allows you to legally reinstate your license and meet the state’s financial responsibility requirements without having a car.

Can I Just Wait Three Years Until It’s Over?

Unfortunately, no. This is a common misunderstanding. The three-year FR44 requirement doesn’t begin when you’re eligible to reinstate your license — it only starts once you actually reinstate it with an active FR44 policy in place.

So if your license was eligible for reinstatement back in 2022, and you didn’t do anything with it until 2025, you’d still need to carry FR44 insurance from 2025 to 2028. Waiting doesn’t count. The clock starts ticking only after you’ve purchased the policy and your license is active again.

Even if you don’t plan to drive for a while, many people choose to purchase a non-owner FR44 policy just to get their license reinstated and get those three years started. It’s not just about driving — it’s about checking that box with the state and getting the countdown underway.

Can I Drive a Rental Car with FR44 Insurance?

Yes, you can rent and drive a car with a non-owner FR44 policy — because the rental vehicle isn’t owned by you, it satisfies the FR44 requirement. However, non-owner FR44 insurance only provides liability coverage. It does not include coverage for damage to the rental car itself.

That means you’ll still need to purchase additional insurance, usually offered by the rental company at the counter. This typically includes:

  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Covers physical damage to the rental car
  • Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI): Adds extra liability coverage

If you have a personal auto policy with an FR44 filing, and that policy includes rental car coverage, you may already be protected. But if you only have a non-owner FR44 policy, make sure to add the rental company’s insurance so you’re fully covered.

Always confirm with both your insurer and the rental company before you get behind the wheel.

 

Summary: What You Can and Can’t Do with FR44 Insurance

Here’s a quick overview for easy reference:

  • You can drive your own car — if you have an FR44-compliant policy
  • You can drive someone else’s car — if you have a non-owner policy and don’t drive it regularly
  • You can’t drive regularly-used cars or rentals — unless you’re listed on the main policy or buy the rental coverage
  • You must file FR44 even if you don’t drive — or your license stays suspended
  • The 3-year period only begins after reinstatement — not from your eligibility date

Understanding how FR44 works — and how it applies when driving someone else’s car, a rental, or no car at all — can save you a lot of confusion, time, and money. Talk to an agent who specializes in FR44 insurance in Florida to get the right policy for your situation, and make sure you’re covered no matter what you drive — or don’t.