In 2023, 77,000 learner drivers in the UK racked up circa 400,000 points on their provisional licences - putting their chances of getting on the road at risk. As any 

penalty points accumulated during your provisional period will carry over to your full licence, this means you could be disqualified before you even pass your test. 

Founder and Managing Director of GoShorty Andy Moody, commented: “Learning to drive is an exciting experience, and it’s completely normal to make several mistakes during the course of your learning experience. 

However, it’s imperative to remember that your learner status won’t exempt you from the rules of the road and therefore penalty points, and that any severe mistakes could actually have a longstanding impact on your driving record. 

It only takes 12 points accrued during the provisional period before a learner can face disqualification - meaning you might be delayed from achieving your full licence until the ban ends. Penalty points stay on a licence for four years in the majority of cases. But, for more serious offences, they can remain on your record for eleven years - meaning driving sensibly is essential. 

We always recommend driving with a trusted, full UK License holder (using our temporary learner insurance) who has excellent knowledge of the roads after you’ve completed a few lessons with an official instructor. This will help to ensure you don’t make any critical errors that could impact you as a future motorist. Plus, practice insurance is often a more financially viable choice than traditional long-term insurance, meaning you can save money as an added bonus.”

A provisional licence allows a learner to drive under the supervision of an instructor or another driver with a valid driving licence. Failure to drive with an appropriate individual can lead to multiple penalties, including:

  • Invalidated insurance, with future insurance premiums potentially rising.
  • Up to six penalty points issued, which will remain on the licence even after passing a driving test.
  • A substantial fine of £1,000.
  • A potential temporary driving ban if enough points are accumulated, which will have long-term impact on future insurance premiums.
  • A permanent mark on your driving record. 

Other actions that can lead to penalties include:

Not displaying L plates:

Learner drivers in the UK must display L plates that are of the correct size and colour at all times. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in the driver receiving up to six penalty points on their licence. 

Speeding:

Just like for drivers with full licences, speeding as a learner driver will land you in trouble. The minimum penalty for speeding is three points and a £100 fine. This offence could also cause a delay in taking a driving test, making learners have to wait even longer to get their full licence. 

Driving on a motorway without an instructor:

Learner drivers can only drive on the motorway with a qualified driving instructor, meaning you cannot drive on these roads supervised by anyone else- including family. Failure to follow these rules can land learner drivers with a £100 fine and three penalty points. 

Driving without insurance:

It is illegal for anyone to be on the road without valid insurance. Anyone found driving without insurance will receive an unlimited fine, up to 8 penalty points on their licence and a potential ban from driving. 

Car insurance can be expensive, especially for young learners, who may pay thousands to gain their licence. A great solution for learners is GoShorty’s temporary learner insurance, a flexible insurance option that allows a driver to insure themselves on a friend or family member’s vehicle as long as they need. 

To prevent damaging their driving record, learner drivers should always follow road laws, drive safely, display L plates, practice with an instructor or qualified supervisor and make sure the vehicle is insured! 

Head over to GoShorty to get a quote in under 2 minutes, so you can get on the road in no time.