Licences, insurance, MOT and penalty points

The documents

Driving licence. You must hold a licence valid for the category of vehicle you are driving. Learners need a provisional licence, L plates visible from front and rear (D plates are permitted in Wales), and a supervising driver.

Insurance. The legal minimum is third party, which covers injury to other people and damage to their property, but nothing of yours. Driving uninsured carries penalty points, a substantial fine, and the vehicle can be seized.

MOT. A car needs its first MOT three years after first registration, and then annually. Driving without a valid MOT — except to a pre-booked test — is an offence and can invalidate your insurance.

Vehicle tax. Must be paid, or the vehicle declared SORN and kept off public roads. Tax does not transfer when a vehicle is sold.

V5C. The registration certificate, showing the registered keeper. Keep it somewhere other than the car.

If you cannot produce your licence, insurance or MOT when asked, you can usually be required to take them to a police station within seven days.

Supervising a learner

The requirements are specific. A supervising driver must:

• be at least 21 years old;
• have held a full licence for that category for at least three years;
• not be over the drink-drive limit or otherwise unfit.

Only an approved driving instructor may charge for lessons.

Eyesight

You must be able to read a current-style number plate from 20 metres, wearing glasses or contact lenses if you need them — and if you need them, you must wear them every time you drive. This is checked at the start of the practical test.

You must also tell DVLA about any medical condition that could affect your driving. Failing to do so can mean a substantial fine and can leave you uninsured.

The new drivers rule

This one is worth remembering precisely.

If you accumulate six or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test, your licence is revoked.

You then reapply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again.

Six points is not a long career of offending. A single hand-held mobile phone offence carries six points on its own.

Your theory certificate

Your theory test pass certificate is valid for two years. If you have not passed your practical test in that time, it expires and you take the theory test again.

Fees and some rules change from time to time — always confirm the current position on GOV.UK.