Learner Driver Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do
L-plates, supervision, motorway lessons, night driving and passengers — the complete UK rulebook for learner drivers.
The rules for learner drivers are set out in the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act. Get these wrong and you invalidate your insurance and pick up penalty points before you even have a full licence.
Minimum ages
- 17 for a car (16 if you receive the higher rate of Personal Independence Payment).
- 16 for a moped up to 50cc.
- 17 for a motorcycle up to 125cc.
Supervision
You must be supervised by someone who is at least 21 years old and has held a full driving licence for the type of vehicle you're driving for at least 3 years. They must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs — they are legally in charge of the vehicle.
L-plates (or D-plates)
Must be displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle, clearly visible. They must be red on white, and the correct size (178 x 178 mm). D-plates are the Welsh equivalent.
Motorways
Learner car drivers can drive on motorways ONLY if they are with an approved driving instructor (ADI) in a dual-controlled car. A parent or friend, even a fully-licensed one, is not enough.
Insurance
You must be insured to drive the car. If you're using a family car, get added as a named learner driver — 'Any Driver' cover often excludes provisional licence holders. Driving uninsured is 6 points, a £300 fine and invalidates the lesson.
Passengers
There's no legal limit on passengers for learners, but every passenger must wear a seatbelt and the supervising driver must have a clear view of the road. Loading the car with mates is a bad idea and many instructors ban it.
After you pass
- You can remove L-plates immediately. Some drivers keep P-plates on for 'probationer' — this is optional, not a requirement.
- The 6-point 2-year probation applies from the date you pass.
- You can drive on motorways, tow small trailers, and supervise other learners (once you've held your licence for 3 years and are 21+).