18/05/2026
Every time I open my news feed lately, there seems to be another car stopped by police with the driver only holding a provisional licence and driving alone.
Then come the same excuses.
“I didn’t realise.”
“I thought I was insured.”
“I didn’t know I needed someone with me.”
Sorry, but these are not hidden rules.
This is basic information covered in the Highway Code, theory test preparation, GOV.UK, driving lessons, learner insurance policies and countless educational posts online.
If you hold a provisional licence, you cannot drive alone on public roads.
You must have:
🚗 A qualified supervising driver 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for 3 years, must be qualified to drive the type of vehicle being used (for example manual if supervising in a manual car)
🚗 Sit in the front passenger seat while supervising of the phone .
The car must also:
⚠️ Display L plates correctly
⚠️ Be insured for you as a learner driver
⚠️ Have road tax and Mot
Insurance does NOT suddenly make it legal to drive alone on a provisional licence.
In fact, if you are caught driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, your insurance can become invalid too.
That can mean:
⚠️ 6 points before you even pass your test
⚠️ A large fine
⚠️ Vehicle seizure
⚠️ Future insurance costs becoming far higher
Those 6 points carry onto your full licence if and when you pass.
New drivers only have 6 points allowance within the first 2 years after passing.
That means some are putting themselves one mistake away from losing their licence before they have even properly started driving independently.
This genuinely needs more education because police pages seem to be stopping learners driving illegally almost daily now.
Some days there are multiple cases.
Driving is not just about moving a car.
It comes with legal responsibility too.
✍️ Sheena Ahmed
Motorvation School of Motoring
