Before you go out on the road

Once you have received your provisional licence and it has come into effect you need to check all of the following before you begin driving;

• As a learner driver a qualified driver must accompany you. Most learners have professional tuition with a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor, but you can also practice as long as another driver accompanies you. Your accompanying driver must
• • hold a full car licence
  • have held that licence for at least 3 years
  • be at least 21 years of age
• Your eyesight must meet the minimum legal requirements, in other words you must be able to read either
• • an old-style number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres (67 feet approximately). Old-style number plates have letters that are 79.4mm high and 57mm wide.
  • or a new-style number plate from a distance of 20 metres (66 feet approximately). New-style number plates have letters that are 79.4mm high and 50mm wide.

If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the eyesight requirements you must wear them whenever you drive.

You must ensure that the car you are about to drive meets all of the following requirements

• You, as the learner, must be covered by third party insurance (as a minimum) for the specific car you will be driving
• The car must have and display a valid road fund licence (car tax)
• If the car is 3 years or older it must have a valid MOT certificate
• It must be in a safe and roadworthy condition
• The car must be fitted with L plates (D plates in Wales) to both the front and rear of the car
  

Anyone who does not comply with these requirements could be liable to a maximum fine of £1,000, discretionary disqualification or 3-6 penalty points (as could the learner driver).