Rules For Learner Drivers

When you begin learning to drive there some rules to follow which will help reduce any risks to yourself and others on the road. Following these rules will also ensure that you stay on the right side of the law and start out with a clean driving licence.

Age

In order to apply for your provisional licence you must be at least seventeen years of age. You can apply for your Provisional Licence no sooner than three months before your seventeenth birthday. Once you have your provisional licence you may sit your theory test providing you have turned seventeen; the law states that no learner driver may sit their Theory Test before their seventeenth birthday.

Driving Licence

You must hold a valid provisional driving licence before you get behind the wheel of a car to learn to drive. It is an offence not to hold such a licence and you could find yourself with points on your licence before you get it or a delay in your licence being issued. Also you should be aware that trying to drive any vehicle without a valid provisional or full licence negates your insurance thus leaving you uninsured whilst driving. This in itself is a criminal offence which can carry a hefty fine or in some instances a gaol sentence.

Supervision

In order to supervise the person must have held a full license for the category of vehicle being driven for a full 3 years and have attained the age of 21. It is also worth noting that the supervisor is, in the eyes of the law, the driver of the vehicle. Hence they may not use a mobile phone without stopping the vehicle and they should pay attention at all times.

Is Your Car Roadworthy?

This is another important factor to take into consideration when learning to drive. You should ensure that all lights, brakes, mirrors and indicators are fully functioning and that the car has a valid MOT certificate. Many people learn to drive in a driving instructor's vehicle so this is not so much of an issue but if you wish to learn in a car that has perhaps been bought for you as a present then it must be 'road legal'. Any car that has been bought secondhand should be thoroughly checked over by an expert before it is taken out on public roads.

Insurance and Tax

You need to have insurance to drive the vehicle you are learning in. A driving instructor's insurance will cover learner drivers in charge of his or her vehicle but for your own vehicle your own insurance - in your name - is a must.

Of course your car should be properly taxed before it is taken onto any public road. Without the correct tax (now referred to by many as the Road Fund Tax) your car is not 'road legal' and should not be used on public highways.

Displaying L Plates

When you do make it onto the open road you must display 'L' plates so that fully licensed drivers are aware that you are learning. Displaying 'L' plates is a legal requirement and it is an offence not to display them. You can purchase 'L' plates from any car accessories shop or even supermarkets. They come as removable stickers or magnetic plates so can be taken off if the car is being used by a fully licensed driver. In Wales these plates can be represented either by the letter 'L' or 'D'.

Other Drivers

When learning to drive you must not drive on a public highway without another driver. The accompanying driver must have held, and still hold, a full UK Driving licence for at least three years and be over 21 years of age.

Motorways

As a learner driver you are not permitted by law - even in the presence of a fully qualified driver - to be on a motorway. You can only use motorways once you have passed your practical test and been awarded your full licence.

Many younger drivers are obviously keen to get out onto the open road and experience the joy of driving for themselves but they should be aware - or made aware if you are assisting them as they learn to drive - that not adhering to the rules can put them, other motorists and their driving licence at risk.

If in doubt you should contact your local driving school or DVLA office for more information.