After you pass

You passed! You can start driving straight away. But the first 2 years come with stricter rules, and you’ll need the right insurance before you go anywhere.

Getting your full licence

When you pass, the examiner gives you a pass certificate and takes your provisional photocard licence. DVLA then usually sends your full licence automatically. Until it arrives, you can use your pass certificate to prove you passed.

You only need to apply for your full licence yourself if:

• you didn’t give your provisional licence to the examiner (for example, because you need it as ID)
• your name or address has changed from what’s on your provisional licence
• you have an old-style provisional licence issued before 1998

If you apply by post, you must send your documents to DVLA within 2 years of passing, or you’ll have to take your test again. Contact DVLA if your full licence hasn’t arrived 3 weeks after you applied.

Insurance

Before you drive on your own, you must have an insurance policy that lets you drive without supervision. Check your policy covers this before your first solo drive.

Third party insurance is the legal minimum. It covers damage or injury you cause to other people, vehicles, animals or property, but not repairs to your own car.

The new driver rules

The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 sets stricter rules for new drivers:

• Any unexpired penalty points from your provisional licence carry over to your full licence, and they count towards the 6.
• If your licence is cancelled, you have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence, then pass both the theory and the practical tests again.

For example, the police can give a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points for driving a car you’re not insured to drive. For a new driver, that one penalty is enough to lose your licence.

P plates

You can display green “P” (probationary) plates to show you’ve just passed. You don’t have to, and you can leave them on for as long as you like.

Remember to remove or cover L plates when you’re driving on your full licence.

Pass Plus

Pass Plus is an optional training course for new drivers. It’s most useful in the year after you pass.

• It takes at least 6 hours, with 6 modules: driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways.
• You’ll normally spend at least 5.5 hours driving.
• There’s no test. You’re assessed throughout and must reach the required standard in every module.
• You need an approved driving instructor who’s registered for Pass Plus.
• Fees depend on where you live, the instructor and how long it takes.

Completing it may help you get a car insurance discount.