What do I need to do after passing my driving test?
Key takeaways
You can drive as soon as you pass your test, but only if you have valid car insurance for a full licence holder
Learner driver insurance may end when you pass, so check your policy before driving home from the test centre
New driver insurance can be expensive, but choosing the right car, comparing quotes and considering black box cover may help lower the cost
Can I drive straight after passing my driving test?
Yes, you can drive as soon as you pass your practical driving test, but you will need to take out a new car insurance policy first. Learner driver insurance becomes invalid as soon as you pass your test.
You'll need at least third-party car cover to drive on UK roads, and fully comprehensive car insurance if you want to cover damages to your own car.
You don't need to wait for your full photocard licence to arrive before driving. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will usually send your full licence automatically after your test, but you can start driving as soon as you have passed.
Before driving, you should make sure:
Your insurance covers you as a full licence holder
The car is taxed
The car has a valid MOT
The car is roadworthy
Am I insured to drive home after passing my test?
Probably not. Car insurance policies for provisional licence holders ends as soon as you pass your driving test, so you’ll need to update your cover or take out a new policy before you can legally drive.
While you can take out full driving licence car insurance before you take your driving test this could end up being an unnecessary expense if you don't pass, as most car policies charge cancellations fees.
Instead, most people will bring someone with them to the testing centre - like their driving instructor or a family member - who can drive them home afterwards.
Alternatively, you could set up a short term car insurance which will cover you for a few hours or days, giving you time to sort out a new standard car insurance policy if needed.
📣 Did you know? The pass rate for UK driving tests is 46%
^ , according to the latest government data.
Do I need to tell my car insurer when I pass my driving test?
Yes, you should tell your insurer as soon as you pass your test - passing your test changes your licence status from provisional to full. Your insurer needs to know this because it can affect your policy, your premium and whether your cover is valid.
What car insurance do I need when I've passed my test?
You need car insurance that covers you as a full licence holder before you drive on your own. You'll be able to pick from three main levels of cover:
Level of cover | What's covered | Average premiums for new drivers |
|---|---|---|
Damage to your car, damage to other people’s cars or property, injury claims, fire and theft | £1479 | |
Damage or injury you cause to others, plus fire damage or theft of your car | £1627 | |
Damage or injury you cause to others | £1316 |
Will my car insurance go up after passing my test?
Yes, your insurance may become more expensive after you pass because you can drive unsupervised - new drivers are often seen as higher risk by insurers because they have less experience. MoneySuperMarket data shows the average comprehensive car insurance price for new drivers is £1479
That does not mean every new driver will pay this amount. Your price can depend on your:
Your details: Including your age, location, job title, and driving or claims history (or lack of history)
Your vehicle: Including the make and model, mileage, and where the car is kept overnight
Your policy: Including the policy type, additional cover, named drivers, and excess payments
Should I get black box insurance as a new driver?
Black box insurance may be worth considering as it can help some new drivers get cheaper cover, especially if you drive safely. MoneySuperMarket data shows that on average, the cheapest telematics policy for a 17-19 year old cost -£1202
A black box, app or plug-in device tracks how you drive, and depending on the policy, it may look at things like speed, braking, cornering, mileage and the time of day you drive. However, it may not suit you if you often drive late at night, drive long distances or do not want your driving monitored.
Can I be added to my parents’ car insurance after passing my test?
Yes, you can be added as a named driver if you use the car but your parent is the main driver.
If you are the main driver, you must be listed as the main driver - putting a parent down as the main driver to get cheaper insurance is called fronting, and it can invalidate the policy.
How much will it cost to insure my own car after passing my driving test?
It depends on the car type, as well as personal factors like your age, postcode, job, driving history and claims record. To keep your costs down, it's worth checking how much it'll cost to cover the car (or cars) you're looking at buying, as well as general running costs. We'd recommend looking into:
The car’s insurance group
Engine size
Safety features
Repair costs
Fuel economy
Mileage
MOT history
Road tax
Whether it has been modified
What are car insurance groups?
Car insurance groups help insurers decide how expensive a car may be to insure. Cars are placed into groups from 1 to 50, and group 1 cars are usually the cheapest to insure, while group 50 cars are usually the most expensive.
Vehicle insurance group | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
1-10 | £420.17 |
11-20 | £480.91 |
21-30 | £543.01 |
31-40 | £640.91 |
41-50 | £810.31 |
A car’s group can be affected by things like its value, performance, repair costs and price of parts, and safety and security features.
What are the cheapest cars to insure for young drivers?
Vehicle model | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
FORD KA EDGE | £816 |
HYUNDAI I10 PREMIUM | £832 |
HYUNDAI I10 SE | £839 |
VOLKSWAGEN UP! MOVE UP | £844 |
FIAT 500 LOUNGE | £856 |
CITROEN C1 VTR+ | £876 |
PEUGEOT 107 ACTIVE | £887 |
FORD KA ZETEC | £897 |
PEUGEOT 108 ACTIVE VTI 68 | £899 |
TOYOTA AYGO X-PLAY VVT-I | £917 |
According to recent MoneySuperMarket data, the cheapest cars to insure for young drivers are the FORD KA EDGE
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.
How can I get cheaper car insurance after passing my test?
New driver insurance can be expensive, but there are ways to reduce the cost:
Choose a cheaper car to insure: Cars in lower insurance groups are usually cheaper to cover
Consider black box insurance: Telematics policies reward safer driving, especially for younger drivers
Add an experienced named driver: You should only do this if they genuinely use the car
Avoid fronting: Do not name a parent as the main driver if you are the real main driver
Pay annually if you can: Monthly payments can cost more overall as insurers will usually charge interest
Increase your voluntary excess carefully: Only choose a voluntary excess amount you could afford to pay, otherwise you might be stuck if it comes to making a claim
Build a no-claims discount: Claim-free driving can reduce your premiums over time as you build up a no-claims discount
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.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use P plates after passing my test?
You do not legally need P plates, which are like L plates but for newly qualified drivers. However, they can be helpful while you build confidence.
P plates show other road users that you have recently passed your test, so drivers may give you more space, especially when you are practising independent driving, parking or motorway routes. You can remove them whenever you feel ready.
What happens to my driving licence after I pass?
Your examiner will usually arrange for the DVLA to send your full licence. After you pass, the examiner will take your provisional photocard licence, give you a pass certificate and arrange for your full licence to be sent to you.
You can still drive before the full licence arrives, as long as you have valid insurance. If your name or address is wrong on your provisional licence, you may need to apply for your full licence yourself.
Do I need to tax my car after passing my test?
Yes, any car you drive must be taxed unless it is declared off road. If you have your own car, check that the vehicle tax is up to date before driving - you can check and pay for vehicle tax online through GOV.UK.
Vehicle tax is linked to the car, not the driver, so passing your test does not automatically change the tax status - but if you are buying your first car, you will need to tax it before driving it.
Do I need an MOT after passing my test?
Your car needs a valid MOT if it is more than three years old - an MOT checks whether your car meets road safety and environmental standards. If the car needs an MOT and does not have one, you usually cannot drive it legally, except in limited circumstances such as driving to a pre-booked MOT test.
Does learner driver insurance end when I pass my test?
Yes, most learner driver policies stop covering you once you pass your test. Check your policy or contact your insurer before driving, as you may need to update your cover or buy a new policy as a full licence holder.
Can I drive my parents’ car after passing my test?
Only if you are properly insured to drive it. You may need to be added as a named driver on their policy, or you may need your own policy, so don't assume you are covered just because the car itself is insured.
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
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
