Annex 3 - Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements
Information and rules about motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements.
Documents
Driving licence. You MUST have a valid driving licence for the category of motor vehicle you are driving. You MUST inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you change your name and/or address.
Holders of non-European Community licences who are now resident in the UK may only drive on that licence for a maximum of 12 months from the date they become resident in this country.
To ensure continuous driving entitlement
- a British provisional licence should be obtained and a driving test(s) passed before the 12-month period elapses, or
- in the case of a driver who holds a licence from a country which has been designated in law for licence exchange purposes, the driver should exchange the licence for a British one.
MOT. Cars and motorcycles MUST normally pass an MOT test three years from the date of the first registration and every year after that. You MUST NOT drive a motor vehicle without an MOT certificate when it should have one. Exceptionally, you may drive to a pre-arranged test appointment or to a garage for repairs required for the test. Driving an unroadworthy motor vehicle may invalidate your insurance.
From 20 May 2018, cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles manufactured or first registered over 40 years ago, will be exempt from the MOT test, unless the vehicle has been substantially changed within the previous 30 years. Guidance on what counts as a substantial change can be found at www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles.
If a vehicle that’s currently exempt from the MOT test is substantially changed, the vehicle keeper cannot continue to claim an exemption from the MOT test.
Insurance. To use a motor vehicle on the road, you MUST have a valid insurance policy. This MUST at least cover you for injury or damage to a third party while using that motor vehicle. Before driving any motor vehicle, make sure that it has this cover for your use or that your own insurance provides adequate cover. You MUST NOT drive a motor vehicle without insurance. Also, be aware that even if a road traffic incident is not your fault, you may still be held liable by insurance companies.
Uninsured drivers can now be automatically detected by roadside cameras. Further to the penalties for uninsured driving (see ‘Penalty table’), an offender’s vehicle can now be seized by the Police, taken away and crushed.
The types of cover available are indicated below:
Third-Party insurance - this is often the cheapest form of insurance, and is the minimum cover required by law. It covers anyone you might injure or whose property you might damage. It does not cover damage to your own motor vehicle or injury to yourself.
Third-Party, Fire and Theft insurance - similar to third-party, but also covers you against your motor vehicle being stolen, or damaged by fire.
Comprehensive insurance - this is the most expensive but the best insurance. Apart from covering other persons and property against injury or damage, it also covers damage to your own motor vehicle, up to the market value of that vehicle, and personal injury to yourself.
Registration certificate. Registration certificates (also called harmonised registration certificates) are issued for all motor vehicles used on the road, describing them (make, model, etc) and giving details of the registered keeper. You MUST notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea as soon as possible when you buy or sell a motor vehicle, or if you change your name or address. The buyer and seller are responsible for completing the registration certificates. The seller is responsible for forwarding them to DVLA. The procedures are explained on the back of the registration certificates.
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Vehicle Excise Duty MUST be paid on all motor vehicles used or kept on public roads.
Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN). This is a notification to the DVLA that a motor vehicle is not being used on the road. If you are the vehicle keeper and want to keep a motor vehicle untaxed and off the public road you MUST declare SORN - it is an offence not to do so. The vehicle will remain SORN until you sell, tax or scrap it. If your vehicle is unused or off the road it MUST have either a SORN declaration or valid insurance.
Production of documents. You MUST be able to produce your driving licence, a valid insurance certificate and (if appropriate) a valid MOT certificate, when requested by a police officer. If you cannot do this you may be asked to take them to a police station within seven days.
Learner drivers
Learners driving a car MUST hold a valid provisional licence. They MUST be supervised by someone at least 21 years old who holds a full EC/EEA licence for that type of car (automatic or manual) and has held one for at least three years.
Vehicles. Any vehicle driven by a learner MUST display red L plates. In Wales, either red D plates, red L plates, or both, can be used. Plates MUST conform to legal specifications and MUST be clearly visible to others from in front of the vehicle and from behind. Plates should be removed or covered when not being driven by a learner (except on driving school vehicles).
You MUST pass the theory test (if one is required) and then a practical driving test for the category of vehicle you wish to drive before driving unaccompanied.
Vehicle Documents & Learner Drivers: What You Need to Know for the Theory Test
The key areas are driving entitlement, insurance, MOT, vehicle tax, SORN, document production and the rules that apply to learner drivers.
Have the correct entitlement
You MUST hold a valid driving licence for the category of vehicle you are driving. Your driving entitlement must match the vehicle you use on the road.
Keep your details up to date
If your name or address changes, make sure the relevant licensing authority is informed. Treat your licence as an official document, not just proof of identity.
What does a valid licence mean?
The important principle is correct vehicle category + valid entitlement. Having a licence does not automatically mean you can drive every type of vehicle.
Know when an MOT is required
Cars, motorcycles and other applicable vehicles normally need an MOT once they reach the applicable testing point and subsequently at the required intervals, unless an exemption applies.
Do not drive when an MOT is required but missing
If your vehicle requires an MOT, make sure it has a valid MOT before using it on the road. Limited exceptions can apply when travelling to a pre-arranged test or for relevant repairs.
MOT vs roadworthiness
An MOT does not remove your responsibility to keep the vehicle roadworthy. A vehicle can still be unsafe even if it has a current MOT.
Insurance is a legal requirement
You MUST NOT use a motor vehicle on the road without the required valid insurance cover. At minimum, the legal requirement covers third-party liability.
Check that you are actually covered
Do not assume that because a vehicle is insured, you personally are covered to drive it. Check that the policy provides appropriate cover for your use of the vehicle.
What is third-party insurance?
Third-party insurance is the minimum type of motor insurance required by law. It covers liability for injury to others and damage to their property, but not normally damage to your own vehicle.
Keep vehicle records correct
The registered keeper is responsible for notifying DVLA about relevant changes, including buying or selling a vehicle and changes to name or address.
Understand tax and SORN
A vehicle used or kept on public roads generally needs the applicable vehicle tax. If it is kept off the public road and untaxed, the keeper may need to make a SORN.
SORN vs insurance
A SORN declares that a vehicle is being kept off the public road. It is not a substitute for insurance when insurance is legally required for the vehicle's use.
Be ready to produce documents
When requested by a police officer, you MUST be able to produce the relevant driving licence, insurance evidence and, where applicable, MOT documentation.
Learners need supervision
A learner driver must hold the appropriate provisional licence and be supervised by someone who meets the current legal requirements for supervising that type of vehicle.
What must a learner display?
A learner vehicle must display the required red L plates. In Wales, the permitted D plate arrangements may also be used.
Remember Before the Theory Test
Don't Mix These Up on the Theory Test
Vehicle documents and learner requirements are easy to confuse because several rules deal with the same vehicle but serve different purposes.
Vehicle Documents & Learner Drivers: Theory Test FAQ
What documents must a driver have?
You need the appropriate valid driving licence, legally required insurance and, where applicable, a valid MOT. The exact documents required depend on the vehicle and circumstances.
What is an MOT test?
An MOT is a legally required vehicle test for applicable vehicles once they reach the relevant testing point. A vehicle must have a valid MOT when one is required for its road use.
Can I drive without an MOT?
Normally, you must not drive a vehicle on the road when it requires an MOT but does not have one. Limited exceptions can apply, such as travelling to a pre-arranged MOT appointment or relevant repairs.
Is insurance required to drive a car on the road?
Yes. You must have the legally required insurance cover before using a motor vehicle on the road. At minimum, the law requires third-party cover for relevant road use.
What is the difference between third-party and comprehensive insurance?
Third-party cover protects against covered liability for injury to others and damage to their property. Comprehensive insurance can also provide cover for damage to your own vehicle and other risks, subject to the policy terms.
What is SORN?
SORN stands for Statutory Off-Road Notification. It tells DVLA that a vehicle is being kept off the public road. If you keep an untaxed vehicle off-road, you must make a SORN when required.
What do learner drivers need before driving a car?
A learner must hold the appropriate provisional licence and comply with the applicable supervision and vehicle requirements, including displaying the required learner plates.
Who can supervise a learner driver?
The supervisor must meet the legal requirements for supervising that type of vehicle, including the applicable age, licence and experience requirements. Always check the current rules before supervising a learner.
What do L plates mean?
L plates identify a vehicle being driven by a learner. They must meet the legal requirements and be clearly visible from the front and rear. In Wales, permitted D plate arrangements can also be used.
Can a learner driver drive alone before passing the practical test?
No. A learner must follow the applicable supervision requirements. The required theory test and practical driving test must be passed before driving unaccompanied.
What should I do if my name or address changes?
You must notify DVLA when required about changes to your name or address. Similar notification duties can apply to the registered keeper when vehicle details or ownership change.