What happens when you pass your driving test?

Passing your driving test gives you the freedom to drive when you want and where you want. But driving on your own for the first time can be a daunting prospect, especially as you won’t have a driving instructor by your side for guidance. You may also be unclear about what happens next, and what steps you should take so that you can drive legally and safely.

In this article, we cover everything you need to know as a new driver.

New driver points

Before you plan your first road trip, you need to be aware that new drivers are subject to a two-year probationary period.

Under the New Drivers Act, if you receive 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing your driving test, your driving licence will be automatically cancelled. This also includes any penalty points picked up as a learner.

So, think carefully about your driving style and make sure you always follow the rules of the road.

Getting your full driving licence

Once you’ve passed your practical driving test, you’ll need to upgrade your provisional licence to a full UK driving licence. This can usually be arranged for you by your driving test examiner who will send your provisional licence to the DVLA to be swapped for a full UK Licence.   

Otherwise, you can apply for your full UK licence if you prefer to do it yourself. It may take up to three weeks to receive your full UK driving licence. But if you haven’t received it within this period, contact the DVLA.

In the meantime, you can also drive straight away, providing your vehicle meets the legal requirements.

Car insurance after you pass

Before you drive on your own, you need insurance that covers you as a full licence holder on the car you’ll be driving. Depending on your insurer, your learner policy may end when you pass, or it may be able to continue as a full licence policy if certain criteria are met. If it ends, you won’t be covered to drive home from the test centre, so check your policy booklet before your test day.

If you’re insured as a learner with A Choice

• Tell us as soon as you pass. Call 0330 127 4500 and choose option 3 for our Adjustments team, who will go through your options.
• Depending on your insurer, an annual learner policy may be updated to a full licence policy. An additional premium may apply.
• Whether your cover can continue depends on your insurer. With some insurers, cover ends when you pass; with others, it may continue if certain criteria are met. Your welcome letter links to your insurer’s policy booklet, which explains what happens when you pass, so read it before your test.
• Short-term learner cover is provided through our partner GoShorty and is separate from our annual policies. Check your GoShorty policy terms for what happens when you pass.

Your No Claims Bonus

On an annual learner policy with A Choice, you start building a No Claims Bonus from day one. After 12 months of cover, you can earn one year’s No Claims Bonus, as long as you haven’t made a claim, or any non-fault claim has been fully settled without affecting it. An open or fault claim can affect your entitlement. If you’re thinking of cancelling before 12 months, ask us how it affects your No Claims Bonus.

Choosing your first policy as a new driver

Young and newly qualified drivers usually pay more for insurance because they have less driving experience. Your options include:

• A black box (telematics) policy, where your premium reflects how you drive. A Choice’s telematics policies have no curfews, but late-night driving and speeding affect your driving score. Read our telematics FAQs.
• Your own standard policy, which lets you build a No Claims Bonus in your own name. See our young driver insurance page.
• Being a named driver on someone else’s policy, if you’re not the main driver of the car. If you are the main driver, the policy must be in your name: being named on someone else’s policy to cut the price is called fronting, and it’s illegal.

Tax your vehicle

Like car insurance, it is a legal requirement to get your car taxed before you can drive it. There are several ways you can do this. You can tax your vehicle online, contact the DVLA by phone, or pay at a local post office.

There may be certain scenarios where car tax is not required. For instance, if you own an electric car, you have declared your car off the road (SORN), or if you have a disability.

You can also check if a vehicle has up-to-date vehicle tax online.  

MOT

You will also need a valid MOT certificate on your vehicle if it is more than three years old. The MOT is valid for one year and you can also check your vehicle’s MOT expiry date online.

Bear in mind that you could be fined up to £1000 if you drive a vehicle without a valid MOT.

Swap your ‘L’ plates for ‘P’ plates

When you pass your practical driving test, you can no longer display ‘L’ plates on your vehicle. You can though replace your ‘L’ plates with green probationary ‘P’ plates instead. Doing so may give you some leeway with other road users while you build up your driving experience.

Unlike ‘L’ plates, there is no legal requirement to display ‘P’ plates on your vehicle. It is optional. Furthermore, there are no time limits about how long they can be displayed on your vehicle. So, you can keep them on for as long as you feel necessary. There are also no rules about how they should be displayed on the vehicle. So, you will not incur penalties for displaying them incorrectly.  

Motorway driving

Driving on the motorway as a new driver can be a daunting prospect, especially if you have not had prior experience of motorway driving during your lessons.

You may find it reassuring to know that motorways are amongst the safest types of UK roads to drive on. To build up your confidence in motorway driving, plan a few shorter trips during quieter times.

Plan your journeys in advance, so you have an idea which junctions you need to get off at, just in case your sat nav is not performing as expected.

You may prefer driving with passengers initially, while you build up your experience and confidence behind the wheel. A family member or an experienced motorist can help guide you through the experience. Avoid driving with passengers that will likely cause a distraction though. The last thing you need are passengers that encourage you to take unnecessary risks behind the wheel, such as tailgating or speeding.

See tips on motorway driving for more information.

Complete a Pass Plus course

Pass Plus is an optional driving course that new drivers can take once they pass their driving test. It provides new drivers with invaluable driving skills and practical experience in scenarios that may not have been covered during driving lessons.

The course takes at least 6 hours to complete and covers the following:

• Driving in town.
• Driving in all weather conditions.
• Driving on rural roads.
• Night-time driving.
• Dual carriageway driving.
• Motorway driving.

There is no test to take, but you will be assessed throughout the course and are expected to reach the required standard for each module.

As well as improving your confidence and helping to keep you safe on the roads, a Pass Plus qualification could also help you get cheaper car insurance.

Final thoughts

This article has provided insight into what to expect after you pass your driving test. Remember that every day is a new driving experience, and you are constantly learning to drive even after your pass your driving test.