What do I need to do after passing my driving test?
Key takeaways
Contact your insurer to switch your cover from learner driver to fully qualified driver
Check your car's MOT is valid and that its road tax has been paid
Your new licence will be sent to you by the DVLA within three weeks
What do I need to do after passing my driving test?
Switch your insurance to a standard policy
It’s a legal requirement to have car insurance to drive in the UK.
Once you pass your test you will need to call your insurer to let them know as they will need to change the policy from learner driver to qualified driver cover. You can either stay with your current insurer or you can take out a new policy with a different company.
Check your car’s road tax
If you have your own car, you need to make sure you pay road tax on it. You can pay for your car tax online, either in one annual lump sum or monthly.
The amount of car tax you pay will depend on the type of car you have. You can find a full list of these cars on the UK government website. You can also enter your vehicle registration number into the government's vehicle enquiry service to check when your road tax is due.
Check your car’s MOT
If you have a car that is more than three years old it will need a valid MOT certificate.
A MOT is an annual check to ensure your car meets road safety and environmental standards. It's a legal requirement for all vehicles over three years old in the UK.
You can enter your vehicle registration number into the government vehicle enquiry service to check when your MOT expires.
Install P-plates
Some newly qualified drivers choose to use P plates on their car just after they pass. This is to let other road users know that they are a new driver.
These plates aren’t required but they may encourage other road users to drive more carefully around you and to be more patient if you’re slower completing manoeuvres like pulling out of junctions or parking. That can make your first drives much less stressful.
Get a car
You may want to buy your first car or start regularly driving a family member’s vehicle.
If you have your own car or are the main driver of a shared car, you will need to take out a new driver car insurance policy. If you are driving someone else’s car occasionally, a cheaper option might be to be added to their insurance policy as a named driver.
Improve your driving skills
Driving lessons aren’t just for learners. Qualified drivers can sign up for a 6-hour Pass Plus course to further develop their driving skills with a qualified driving instructor.
In particular this could help you get comfortable with motorway driving. Most new drivers have limited experience with motorways since they are not allowed on them except in a car with dual controls.
Can I drive as soon as I’ve passed my driving test?
Yes, you are able to drive as soon as you pass your driving test as long as you have the correct insurance in place.
Remember that once you’ve passed you will not be covered under your old learner driver insurance. One option is to take out short term car insurance to cover you for a few hours or days while you sort out your new standard car insurance policy.
When do I receive my full driving licence?
When you pass your driving test, the examiner will give you your test pass certificate. Keep this in a safe place as you may need it as evidence of passing the test.
The examiner will also ask you for your provisional licence photocard and this will be sent to the UK government’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). A full driving licence card will then be sent out directly to you within three weeks. You don’t need to wait for this licence to arrive in order to start driving.
Your new licence will be sent to you by the DVLA within three weeks. If this doesn’t happen, you’ll need to get in touch with the DVLA.
If you need to make any changes to your driving licence, such as an address change, you will need to contact the DVLA.
What are some tips for new drivers?
Here are a few tips to keep you and your passengers safe:
Look for ways to reduce your insurance price
Young and new drivers are generally hit with the most expensive car insurance costs, because insurance companies consider them to be at higher risk of getting in an accident.
You could save a lot of money by:
Comparing quotes from different insurers to find the best deal
Buying insurance a few weeks before your policy starts
Paying annually rather than monthly
If you’re a good driver, you could also look at getting telematics insurance (also called black box insurance).
Slowly build up your skills and confidence
Take smaller journeys at first and work your way up to longer routes and more difficult situations, such as night driving or driving in different weather conditions.
Ask friends and family to accompany you
If you still feeling a little anxious or unsure of going out on your own for the first time, you could ask a friend or parent to come with you on the first few journeys you make.
Keep your driving knowledge up to date
Frequently refresh your knowledge of the Highway Code. An empty car park or a quiet road is a good place to practice your manoeuvres.
Don't break the rules of the road
Penalties for bad driving can be harsher for newer drivers. For example, anyone who has had their licence for less than two years and is caught using their phone while driving will lose their licence entirely. (More experienced drivers will get penalty points and a fine.)
Always keep an eye on road signs and speed limits.
Author
Rebecca Goodman
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Rebecca is an award-winning financial journalist with over a decade of experience writing for print and online media. Her mission is to take the jargon out of personal finance and to help everyone...
Reviewer
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
