Points on a Provisional Licence: What Learner Drivers Need to Know

30 October 2025 | Phil Evans

Home > BLOG > Points on a Provisional Licence: What Learner Drivers Need to Know

Getting your provisional licence is the first big step towards becoming a fully qualified driver. But even before you pass your test, you can still get penalty points – and they stay with you long after your L-plates come off. In fact, thousands of learners get points each year for offences like speeding, driving unsupervised, or driving uninsured. Yes, learners do need insurance. Check you’ve got the right learner insurance in place to avoid serious points on your provisional.

Here we’ll explain how points on a provisional licence work, what offences are most common, and how many points you can get before it affects your chances of passing your test – or even leads to a ban.

We’ll also share new DVLA data revealing how many learner drivers already have points, and what that tells us about the risks young drivers are taking.

Yep, as a learner, you can get points on your licence just like anyone else on the road. A provisional licence works like any other licence when it comes to endorsements and penalties. If you break the law behind the wheel, you can be fined, get penalty points on your record, or even be banned from driving completely.

This applies whether you’re:

Practising with a friend or family member
Driving in a lesson with an instructor

Points on a provisional licence stay on your record, and if you pass your test while points are still active, they carry over to your full licence.

What Offences Can Learners Get Points For?

The most common learner driver offences are the same as full licence holders – but they tend to happen because new drivers don’t yet fully understand the rules, or mistakenly think they’re not enforceable while still learning.

According to 2024 DVLA data, the most common learner licence offences include:

Driving without insurance (IN10) – 22,704 offences
Speeding on public roads (SP30) – 17,502 offences
Driving outside the terms of your licence (LC20) – 9,974 offences
Failure to provide driver details (MS90) – 3,748 offences
Speeding on a motorway (SP50) – 3,094 offences

Beyond these top offences, there are several other common mistakes that can lead to penalty points for learners:

Driving Without Proper Supervision

By law, learner drivers must be supervised by an approved instructor or another driver who has held a full driving licence for at least three years and is over 21, whenever they are behind the wheel. If a learner is caught driving alone, they could face serious penalties:

Up to six penalty points on your provisional licence (which will carry over once you pass)
A fine of up to £1,000
Your learner insurance will be invalidated, increasing future premiums
A possible temporary driving ban if you already have points
A lasting mark on your driving record

Driving Without L Plates

Learner drivers must display L plates at all times when practising, and they must be the correct size and colour. Failing to do so can result in up to six penalty points on your provisional licence, as well as a fine. It’s a simple rule – but one that’s easy to overlook. In Wales, you must display D plates instead.

Driving on a Motorway Without an Instructor

Learners can only drive on a motorway with an approved driving instructor (ADI) in a dual‑control car. Learners driving on a motorway without meeting these conditions can expect three penalty points and a £100 fine.

Driving Without Insurance

This is the most common cause for points on a provisional licence. All drivers – including learners – must have valid insurance before driving. It’s a serious offence to drive uninsured and could lead to:

Eight penalty points or more
An unlimited fine
A possible driving ban

It’s so easy to get temporary learner insurance, there’s no excuse to drive without it. Our learner cover is a simple, flexible way to get insured for practice sessions without risking the car owner’s no‑claims discount, or points on your licence before you’ve even passed your test.

Speeding as a Learner

Speeding remains one of the most common learner offences. The minimum penalty is three points and a £100 fine, but the consequences can be more severe. Learners caught speeding may face delays in booking or taking their driving test, and those with multiple offences risk being disqualified before even earning a full licence.

How Many Points Can a Learner Driver Get?

Learners can receive penalty points just like fully qualified drivers – and those points don’t disappear when you pass your test. They carry over to your full licence and can seriously affect your ability to keep it.

You can get up to 11 points on your provisional licence – but if you hit 12 or more, you risk an immediate driving ban, even before passing your test.
If you have 6 or more points as a learner, you can still take your test, but you’ll be under pressure as a new driver.
After passing, you’ll enter a two-year probation period under the New Driver Act.
If you receive 6 or more points during that period (including points carried over), your licence will be revoked – and you’ll have to start again from scratch.

In short, getting points on your provisional licence can make life much harder down the line. It’s worth driving carefully now, because any mistake could cost you your licence later.

And it’s not just your licence that’s affected. Any points you pick up as a learner can also push up the cost of your insurance – both while you’re still learning and after you’ve passed. Penalty points or a driving ban on your record can make insurance more expensive, and in some cases, harder to get. It can make the already high cost of learning to drive or getting insured as a new driver even more difficult to manage

How Many Learners Already Have Points?

Recent DVLA data obtained via Freedom of Information requests reveals just how many provisional licence holders already have penalty points – and in some cases, even driving bans – before they’ve passed their test.

Over 57,000 learner drivers currently have points on their provisional licence
80% of them are men
More than 7,000 male learners under 21 have points – compared to just 806 females in the same age group
344 male learners have already been banned under the totting-up rule (12 or more points), versus 59 female learners
Among learners aged 21-64, 47,529 have active points, compared to 7,758 under 21 and 1,748 over 65

This data shows that many learners are racking up offences early – far more than you might expect. It’s a clear reminder of how important it is to take your legal responsibilities seriously from the start. Driving recklessly, practising unsupervised or ignoring licence restrictions can have serious, long-lasting consequences – even before you’ve earned your full licence.

Can I Still Drive if I Have 6 or More Points?

Yes, but with conditions. If you already have 6 points on your provisional, you can still take lessons, practise with supervision, and sit your test – as long as your licence is still valid.

But once you pass, you’re walking a very fine line. If you pick up just one more offence during your probation period (first two years of holding your licence), the DVLA can revoke your full licence. You’ll have to reapply for a provisional licence and retake both the theory and practical tests.

How Long Do Points Stay on a Provisional Licence?

The length of time points stay on your licence is the same for provisional licences as it is for full licences. Points remain active for 4 years, and some – like driving without insurance – can stay on your record for up to 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence.

These points carry over to your full licence once you pass your test, so they can still impact your:

Car insurance premiums
Job prospects (for roles requiring driving)
Ability to drive abroad

How to Avoid Points as a Learner

The best way to protect yourself is to understand the rules and stay insured whenever you’re driving. That means:

Having the right insurance in place whenever you’re behind the wheel – outside of lessons with an instructor.
Having the right supervisor by your side – check the learner supervision rules here
Making sure the car you’re driving is roadworthy, taxed, and displaying L plates
Following the rules of the road and driving safely

Temporary insurance lets you get behind the wheel of a friend or family member’s car without affecting their policy and no-claims discount, and you can choose cover from just one hour to six months – ideal for supervised practice sessions.

Provisional Doesn’t Mean Exempt

Having a provisional licence doesn’t give you a free pass. If anything, it means you need to be even more cautious. Too many learners – especially young men – are putting themselves and others at risk by misunderstanding the law. With the right knowledge, the right cover, and the right attitude, you can start your driving journey safely and legally, without racking up points on your provisional licence.

Need insurance before your next lesson or practice session? Download our temporary insurance app and get learner insurance today.

Temporary Car Insurance

Temp Van Insurance

Temp Learner Insurance

Points on a Provisional Licence: What Learner Drivers Need to Know