Supervising a learner driver rules, carrying passengers, driving at night and provisional insurance in the UK
Learner drivers spend up to 22 hours practising their driving skills with family or friends - but do you know there are certain rules that apply for supervising a learner?
From age to holding a driving licence for a certain number of years, make sure you meet all the requirements before getting in the passenger seat of a learner's car.
Rules for supervising a learner driver
The supervising driver must:
- Have had a full driving licence for three years (from countries in the European Union or European Economic Area)
- Be qualified to drive the type of vehicle they are supervising in (example - manual car licence)
- Hold the correct car insurance or make sure the learner driver has provisional insurance
- Ensure the car is in safe and legal conditions
- Display L plates while the learner is driving
- Not use a mobile phone while supervising.
Learner drivers can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to six penalty points on their provisional licence if they drive without the right supervision.
How old must you be to supervise a learner driver?
You must be over 21-years-old to supervise a learner driver.
Who can supervise a learner driver?
Anyone can supervise a learner driver as long as they:
- Are over 21
- Have had their full driving licence for three years (from countries in the EU/EEA)
- Are qualified to drive the type of vehicle they are supervising
Can a learner driver carry passengers?
Yes, driving on a provisional licence with passengers is legal.
Are there any learner driver passenger restrictions?
Learner drivers can carry as many passengers as the vehicle can legally hold.
Can learner drivers drive at night?
Learner drivers can practise at any time as long as they drive under the right supervision.
Supervising a learner driver insurance
- If the learner driver is practising in a car they own, they will need their own insurance
- If the learner driver is practising in someone else's car, the car owner's insurance policy must add the learner as an additional driver, but this won't protect the owner's No Claims Bonus
- If the learner driver is practising in someone else's car, the learner can get provisional insurance from two hours to 90 days to be covered as a learner driver, which will protect the owner's No Claims Bonus.
Be advised that you can get an unlimited fine, be banned from driving and get up to eight penalty points for driving without insurance.
You can read more on Learning to drive: everything you need to know
