Applying for a Provisional Licence
You can apply for your first provisional driving licence online via the official government portal:
GOV.UK Provisional Licence Application.
An online application costs £34. You can apply from 15 years and 9 months old, but you cannot start driving a car on public roads until you turn 17 (or 16 if you receive the higher rate of PIP
Car Insurance
Do I need it, to practice as a provisional licence holder?
The short answer is yes, you will need your own car insurance if you are practising in a car you own. If you are practising in a car owned by someone else, you need to make sure their insurance policy covers you as a learner driver.
You must also ensure that the vehicle you are using has valid road tax and if applicable a valid MOT certificate.
L-Plate Rules
You must clearly display standard L-plates on both the front and rear of the vehicle whenever a learner is driving. Failing to display correct, legally compliant L-plates can result in up to 6 penalty points on your provisional licence.
Rules for Private Practice (family & friends)
Am I allowed and what are the rules?
Am I allowed to practice outside of lessons?
Yes, provided you are accompanied by an eligible driver. To supervise a learner, the accompanying driver must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Hold a full UK/EEA driving licence for at least 3 years (valid for the vehicle type—e.g., an automatic licence covers automatic private practice only).
- Ensure the car has valid tax, an MOT, and specific learner driver insurance cover.
Note: Supervising drivers must pay full attention—it is illegal for them to use a mobile phone or be under the influence while supervising. Private practice on motorways is only allowed with a fully qualified ADI in a dual-control car.
Can I carry passengers?
Yes. As long as your supervising driver meets all legal requirements, you can carry passengers up to the legal seating capacity of the vehicle. However, keep in mind that extra passengers can be a distraction when you are building early confidence
Practical Test "Show me and tell me questions"
What are vehicle safety questions?
At the start or during your practical driving test, the DVSA examiner will ask you two vehicle safety questions:
- One "Tell Me" question: Asked before you start driving, where you explain how you would carry out a safety check (e.g., checking tyre pressure or oil levels).
- One "Show Me" question: Asked while you are driving, where you demonstrate operating a control (e.g., clearing the windscreen or turning on dipped headlights).
Answering incorrectly results in a minor fault. Losing control of the vehicle while carrying out a "Show Me" task can result in a serious or dangerous fault.
I will thoroughly cover all official DVSA "Show Me, Tell Me" questions during your lessons