The rules for learner drivers

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You should never assume but should know for sure what is required by law for you as a learner driver. Failure to comply may result in you getting penalty points and/or being fined.

There are 4 simple rules you need to obey to stay out of trouble.

# Rule 1 – Hold a valid provisional licence

provisional licence

This may seem obvious but a lot of people have been stopped by the police and found to be learning to drive without being in possession of a provisional licence. Or they may have a provisional licence but it is invalid as they've got too many penalty points (eg for speeding) on it. So make sure you’re not one of those people.

If you’re found guilty of driving without a provisional licence, you will incur a fine of up to £1000 and receive 3 to 6 points and may get a disqualification from driving as well.

# Rule 2 – Must always be supervised

learner supervised

Up until you've passed both your theory and practical test, you should always be accompanied by someone who:

  • is 21 or over
  • has held an EC/EEA licence for at least 3 years
  • is qualified to drive the vehicle you’re practising in

If you’re found to be driving unsupervised, you could face a fine of up to £1000 and have your licence endorsed with 3-6 penalty points.

# Rule 3 – Display red L or D plates

L Plates Affixed

As a learner, you need to display L plates (or D plates in Wales) on the vehicle you’re learning. These should be clearly visible from the back and front of your vehicle and should conform to the specifications below:

  • 178mm x 178mm white square
  • with the “L” letter in bold red and dimensions 40mm, 64mm, 49mm, 38mm, 89mm, 102mm starting from the top side and going clockwise

If you’re caught driving without L plates, you may be convicted for the offence LC20 and will get a £60 fine plus 3-6 points on your licence.

# Rule 4 – Vehicle must be roadworthy

roadworthy

By roadworthy, we mean the vehicle must have valid:

  • Road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty)
  • MOT (if older than 3 years)
  • Insurance – The learner needs to be adequately insured on the car they’re practising in.

Regarding the last point, if you’re learning in your parents’ car (or family/friend), you need to be insured to drive that vehicle. Your parents may have car insurance for them to drive but it does not allow you to do so unless you get added to the policy too. You can get separate learner insurance for that purpose to make things easier.

gices
gices Level 6
I'm a Software Developer and the co-founder of Clever Dodo. Born in Mauritius and now living in the UK, I usually blog about fitness, music, spirituality and driving topics to pass on my knowledge.

4 Replies

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AmyDragon Level 1

Can someone who is not a named driver on my insurance supervise me, the learner?

Can someone who is not a named driver on my insurance (I'm a learner) supervise me without a named driver with a full licence in the car?

[Migrated from previous topic 11278 dated 01 Aug 2010]

gices
gices Level 6

If you are going to be learning to drive in a private car (that is not in an approved driving instructor's car), then you will need to be insured on that particular car. Once your insurance is sorted, you can start your driving practice as long as you're supervised by someone who is over 21 and who's held his full driving licence for a minimum of 3 years. The supervisor does not need to be insured on your car or have any car insurance in his name but he needs to satisfy the conditions stated above and you must always be accompanied at all times as long as you hold a provisional driving licence.

[Migrated from previous post 1136 dated 01 Aug 2010]

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GuyGriffiths Level 1

Learner insurance for 7 days

I am about to buy a months insurance for my son (although slightly more expensive than other company's. I like the fact that i can buy another 7 days in the future as he is away at Boarding school. Is 7 days about a quarter (price wise) of the months insurance?

[Migrated from previous topic 11292 dated 05 Aug 2010]

gices
gices Level 6

It should be a quarter of the price but your best bet is to call the insurance company where you're buying the policy and check with them to be on the safe side. By the way, which insurer are you going with and how much are you paying (noticed that you said it is slightly more expensive than other companies)?

[Migrated from previous post 1141 dated 06 Aug 2010]

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