UK driving theory test · Topic chapter 12 · 4 min read
Chapter 12: Documents
Driving licences, learner supervision and L plates, insurance types, MOT, vehicle tax and SORN, the registration certificate, producing documents, penalty points and the New Drivers Act. Study notes for the UK driving theory test, built from The Highway Code.
Why this chapter matters
Documents is one of the smaller topics, but its answers are pure facts: ages, years, days and points. Annex 3 and Annex 5 of the Highway Code hold nearly all of them.
Driving licence
- You MUST hold a valid licence for the category of vehicle you drive, and MUST tell DVLA if you change your name or address (Annex 3).
- If you hold a licence from outside the EC and become resident in the UK, you may drive on it for up to 12 months (Annex 3).
Learner drivers
| Requirement | Detail (Annex 3) |
|---|---|
| Licence | A valid provisional licence |
| Supervisor | At least 21 years old, holding a full licence for that type of car (manual or automatic) and has held it for at least three years |
| Plates | Red L plates front and back; in Wales, red D plates, L plates or both |
| Driving alone | Only after passing the theory test (where needed) and the practical test |
| Motorways | Only with an approved driving instructor in a dual-control car (Rule 253) |
A supervising driver MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone while supervising (Rule 149).
Insurance
You MUST NOT drive without insurance. The legal minimum is third-party cover (Annex 3).
| Type | Covers |
|---|---|
| Third party | Injury to others and damage to their property. The cheapest and the legal minimum. Does not cover your own car or yourself |
| Third party, fire and theft | As above, plus your car if stolen or damaged by fire |
| Comprehensive | As above, plus damage to your own car (up to its market value) and injury to yourself |
Uninsured drivers can be detected by cameras, and the police can seize and crush an uninsured driver's vehicle (Annex 3). Driving without insurance carries 6 to 8 penalty points (Annex 5).
MOT
Cars and motorcycles MUST normally pass an MOT test three years after first registration and every year after that. You may drive without a current MOT only to a pre-arranged test or to a garage for repairs needed for the test. Most vehicles made or first registered over 40 years ago are exempt unless substantially changed (Annex 3).
Tax, SORN and registration
- Vehicle Excise Duty must be paid on every motor vehicle used or kept on a public road (Annex 3).
- If you keep a vehicle untaxed and off the road you MUST make a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) (Annex 3).
- The registration certificate records the vehicle and its registered keeper. Tell DVLA in Swansea when you buy or sell a vehicle, or change your name or address (Annex 3).
Producing documents
If a police officer asks, you MUST produce your driving licence, insurance certificate and (if needed) MOT certificate. If you cannot, you may be told to bring them to a police station within seven days (Annex 3).
Penalty points and disqualification (Annex 5)
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Totting up | 12 or more points within 3 years means disqualification for at least 6 months |
| Serious offences | Dangerous driving and drink-driving bring an obligatory ban of at least 12 months |
| Second drink-drive offence within 10 years | Minimum 3 years' disqualification |
| Hand-held phone | 6 points |
| Speeding | 3 to 6 points, or 3 by fixed penalty |
| Traffic light offences | 3 points |
| Failing to stop after, or report, an accident | 5 to 10 points |
| Careless driving | 3 to 9 points |
New drivers
Under the New Drivers Act, if you get 6 or more penalty points within two years of passing your first test, your licence is revoked. You must reapply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again. Points gained before you passed count too (Annex 5, Annex 8).
The Safety code for new drivers also suggests further training such as Pass Plus, which may reduce your insurance costs (Annex 8).
FAQ
What is the minimum insurance the law requires?
Third-party cover (Annex 3).
When does a car first need an MOT?
Three years from the date it was first registered, then every year (Annex 3).
How many points will make a new driver lose their licence?
Six within two years of passing the first test (Annex 5).
Check yourself
- How old must a learner's supervisor be, and how long must they have held a full licence?
- What does comprehensive insurance cover that third party does not?
- What must you do if you keep an untaxed car off the road?
- How long do you have to produce documents at a police station?
Practise this topic on its own: Documents drill.
Ready to try a full test? Start UK theory practice test 1.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Based on The Highway Code.