Getting your full licence
If you have a photocard provisional licence, your examiner will usually offer to send your details to DVLA so your full licence is posted to you automatically. Your provisional licence is kept by the examiner. It is free.
If that doesn't happen, you can apply for your full licence yourself — you have two years from the date you pass. After that, you'd need to take your test again.
Driving on your own
You can drive unsupervised as soon as you pass, provided you are insured. Take the L plates off. It's worth building experience gradually — motorways, night driving and bad weather are all easier with some practice. Many instructors offer post-test lessons for exactly this.
New driver rules (the first two years)
6 points and you're back to L plates
Under the New Drivers Act, if you get 6 or more penalty points within two years of passing, your licence is revoked. You go back to a provisional licence and must pass the theory and practical tests again.
Six points is easy to reach: using a hand-held phone while driving carries 6 points on its own, and speeding usually carries 3. Points given before you passed, while learning, also count if they are still valid.
Questions
Can I drive home alone straight after passing?
Yes, as long as you are insured to drive the car on your own. You don't need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
What happens if I get 6 points in my first 2 years?
Your licence is revoked. You have to apply for a new provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again.
Do I need P plates?
No, green P plates are optional in Great Britain. Some new drivers use them to let others know they've just passed.