What are the rules for learner drivers?

For learner drivers, and the family or friends who want to supervise them.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

To learn to drive a car you need a provisional licence, L plates and a supervisor who meets the rules.

You can usually start driving a car at 17, and apply for a provisional licence from 15 years and 9 months.
A friend or family member supervising you must be over 21 and have had a full licence for 3 years.
You need L plates on the front and back. In Wales you can use D plates instead.
Breaking the supervision rules can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points.

Different in Northern Ireland

Learners have a top speed limit of 45mph, and new drivers must show R plates for a year after passing.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Drive a car from 17
Supervisor: over 21, 3 years' licence
L plates front and back
No motorways with family

What you need to learn to drive a car

You can drive on public roads as a learner if all of these apply:

you have a provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland
you are old enough. Most people can start driving a car at 17, and you can apply for a provisional licence from 15 years and 9 months
you can read a number plate from 20 metres, with glasses or contact lenses if you need them
someone who meets the rules is supervising you
the car shows L plates on the front and back
you are insured to drive the car

A first provisional licence costs £34 online or £43 by post.

Who can supervise you

If you practise with family or friends, they must:

be over 21
have had a full driving licence for 3 years, from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
be qualified to drive the type of car you are learning in. For example, they need a manual licence to supervise you in a manual car

They cannot be paid for this. Only an approved driving instructor (ADI) or a trainee instructor can charge for lessons. An ADI shows a green badge in the windscreen and a trainee shows a pink badge. You can report someone to DVSA if they charge for lessons without being qualified.

What learners cannot do

drive on a motorway while practising with family or friends. You can only use a motorway with an ADI in a car with dual controls
drive without a supervisor
drive without L plates

It is also illegal for your supervisor to use a mobile phone while supervising you.

Insurance

You must be insured, either on your own policy or on the car owner's policy. Some insurers say your supervisor must be over 25.

Penalties

What you do wrong	Possible penalty
Breaking the supervision rules	Fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points
Not displaying L plates properly	Up to 6 penalty points
Driving without insurance	Unlimited fine, a driving ban and up to 8 penalty points

L plates and P plates

L plates must show a red L on a white background and be easy to see on the front and back. In Wales you can use D plates instead. Take the plates off when a learner is not driving.

After you pass, you can show green P plates to let others know you are new. This is optional, and you can keep them on as long as you like.

There is no minimum number of lessons or hours you must have before your test.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Scotland and Wales follow the same rules as England, except that Welsh learners can use D plates.

In Northern Ireland, learners have a top speed limit of 45mph. A supervisor must be at least 21 and have held a full car licence for at least 3 years. After passing, new drivers must display R plates for one year.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for a provisional licence

Common questions

Who can supervise a learner driver?

Someone over 21 who has had a full licence for 3 years (from the UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) for the type of car you are learning in.

Can a learner drive on the motorway?

Only with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls. It is illegal when practising with family or friends.

Can my supervisor use their phone?

No. It is illegal for the person supervising you to use a mobile phone.

Official sources

1.Driving lessons and learning to drive (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive
2.Practising with family or friends (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive/practising-with-family-or-friends
3.Using L and P plates (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive/using-l-and-p-plates
4.Minimum ages and rules for learner drivers and riders (nidirect)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/minimum-ages-and-rules-learner-drivers-and-riders
5.Taking driving lessons (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive/taking-driving-lessons
6.Apply for your first provisional driving licence (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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