Can You Get Points on a Provisional Licence?

Even as a provisional licence holder, you're still expected to meet the same legal standards as a fully qualified driver. This means that if you break the law and commit a driving offence, you can expect penalty points on your provisional licence. 

Here are some of the most common offences that will result in penalty points being added to your record.

Driving without a qualified driver

As a provisional licence holder, it's illegal for you to drive solo. Before you pass your driving test, you must always drive with proper supervision. This means being accompanied by someone in the front passenger seat at all times, who is over 21 and has held a full driving licence for at least three years. If you're caught driving alone, or your supervising driver doesn't meet these criteria, you could end up with six penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.

Not displaying L plates

It's a legal requirement for all learner drivers to clearly display L plates (or D plates in Wales). If they're found to be missing, incorrectly displayed or difficult to see, you could face up to six penalty points and a fine.

Driving without insurance

Even provisional licence holders are expected to be adequately insured to drive, and driving without insurance is a serious offence. If you're found to be driving without valid learner driver insurance, you can expect serious consequences, including an unlimited fine, up to eight penalty points, and even a driving ban. The police also have the power to seize your vehicle, so make sure you have the right insurance in place, even if you're still a learner driver.

Driving on a motorway without an instructor

As a learner with a provisional driving licence, you're only permitted to drive on motorways if you're accompanied by an approved driving instructor in a dual-controlled vehicle. Your usual supervising driver is not legally permitted to accompany you on the motorway. Ignoring these rules can result in a maximum fine of up to £1,000 and six penalty points on your provisional licence.

Speeding, mobile phone use, and other traffic violations

Driving laws around speeding, mobile phone use and ignoring road signs apply to all learner drivers, not just those who are full licence holders. Driving offences like these can also carry serious consequences. For example, using your phone could result in a £200 fine and six points. Speeding penalties vary, but can lead to significant fines, penalty points, and even an outright driving ban depending on the speed.

Any points accrued on your provisional licence will have lasting consequences. Let's explore what can happen if you pick up penalty points as a learner driver, and how these can impact you when you pass your test.

Points stay on your driving record

Penalty points on a provisional licence don't simply disappear when you pass your practical driving test; they remain on your driving record, and they'll remain on your record for the full duration (this can range between 4 and 11 years depending on the offence). These points can put you at risk of disqualification sooner, should you accumulate more penalty points when you get your full licence.

Points carry over to a full licence

Any points on a provisional licence will be carried over to your new licence, which can be risky for new drivers. This is because under the New Drivers Act, if you receive six or more points within the first two years of passing, your licence can be revoked. It also means you'll have to reapply for a new provisional licence and retake your driving test.

The two-year probation rule for new drivers

When you pass your practical driving test, new drivers automatically enter a two-year probationary period. During this time, if you accumulate six or more penalty points, your licence will be revoked. This means you'll go back to learner driver status and have to resit your theory and practical driving test. 

For example, if you're a learner driver who already has points on your provisional licence, it's worth remembering that those points will count towards that six-point limit as soon as you become fully qualified, so if you hit the limit, you could lose your licence the moment you finally achieve it.

Increased insurance costs

Regardless of whether you're a learner or a new driver, insurers view individuals with penalty points on their licence as high-risk drivers, potentially leading to higher premiums. It's also worth noting that even points on your licence for smaller offences, such as failing to display your L plates correctly, will stay on your record for several years. This means you can expect to pay higher premiums long after the mistake was made. 

Licence revocation and retesting

Having your licence taken away and going back to square one can be frustrating, embarrassing, and also financially challenging. But, if you build up too many points as a learner driver and these points are carried over, it's a reality you can expect. Of course, this doesn't mean you'll be banned from driving, but you will have to resit your theory exam and retake your practical test to regain your full licence.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways that learner drivers can avoid getting points on their provisional licence.

• Always follow the Highway Code: Get to know the Highway Code and avoid making mistakes such as speeding, using your phone, or ignoring road traffic signs because you're not familiar with them. The sooner you start working on building good driving habits, the quicker you'll pass your test and be safer on the road.
• Take professional lessons: A qualified instructor won't just teach you how to drive and prepare you for your test; they'll help pinpoint any mistakes you're making and offer best practices that will help you avoid penalty points.
• Get the right insurance: Always ensure that you have the right learner driver insurance before you get behind the wheel. This applies whether you're using your own car or someone else's.
• Display your L plates correctly: Keep your learner plates clean, visible, and securely fixed to the front and back of your vehicle. Be in the habit of checking them before you set off.
• Always drive with proper supervision: If you're learning in your own vehicle or someone else's, having a legal supervising driver beside you is essential. Make sure your supervising driver is over 21, has a full driving licence and has held this for at least 3 years.
• Only drive on the motorway with an approved instructor: Only drive on the motorway with an approved instructor and in a dual-controlled vehicle. Remember, your usual supervising driver cannot legally accompany you on the motorway.