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).
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