Driving on a provisional licence: the rules

L plates

You must display red L plates on the front and back of the car whenever you drive as a learner. In Wales you can use red D plates (for "dysgwr") instead. Take them off or cover them when a full licence holder drives the car.

Your supervisor

Unless you are with an approved driving instructor, the person sitting beside you must:

• be at least 21 years old
• be qualified to drive that type of vehicle (for example, a manual car licence to supervise in a manual car)
• have held their full licence for at least 3 years
• be fit to supervise — the drink-drive and mobile phone rules apply to them too

Only an approved driving instructor (ADI) or trainee instructor can charge you for lessons. Find an ADI near you.

The car and insurance

• You must be insured to drive the car as a learner. Adding a learner to a parent's policy can raise its cost, so compare specialist learner driver insurance too.
• The car must be roadworthy, taxed and have a valid MOT if it needs one.
• Driving school cars are insured for their pupils during lessons.

Where you can drive

You can drive on most public roads, including dual carriageways. Motorways are the exception: learners can only use them with an approved instructor in a car fitted with dual controls. Practising in different conditions — at night, in rain, in busy towns — makes you a safer driver and prepares you for independent driving on your test.

Mopeds and motorbikes

Your provisional licence also covers mopeds and motorbikes, but you must complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before riding on the road. On a moped or motorbike with a provisional licence you must display L plates, can't carry a passenger and can't use motorways.