Supervising a learner driver: rules for parents

These are the GOV.UK rules for Great Britain. Northern Ireland has its own rules. Since 1 October 2026, learners there whose provisional licence started on or after that date follow Graduated Driver Licensing: no 45 mph limit, at least six months of learning before the driving test, and a logbook that the supervising driver or an instructor signs off. Read what Graduated Driver Licensing means for learners and the guidance for parents and supervising drivers on nidirect.

Who can supervise a learner driver?

GOV.UK says the person supervising must:

be over 21;
be qualified to drive the type of vehicle the learner wants to learn in;
have had their full driving licence for 3 years.

That full licence can be from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. These rules are for practising with family or friends without paying them.

The learner must have a provisional driving licence. GOV.UK says you can usually start driving a car when you are 17.

Insurance

If the learner practises in a car they own, they need their own insurance as a learner driver.
In someone else’s car, such as yours, the learner must be covered by the car owner’s policy as a learner driver, or take out their own policy.
Some insurance companies require the supervisor to be over 25. Check your policy before the first drive.

L plates

Put an L plate on the front and the back of the car, where they can be seen easily.
The plates must have a red L on a white background and be the right size. In Wales you can use a D plate instead.
Take the L plates off when the car is not being driven by a learner.

P plates, for new drivers who have passed, are optional.

What you must not do

No phone. It is illegal for you to use a mobile phone while you are supervising.
No motorways. It is illegal for a learner to drive on the motorway when practising with family or friends.

What happens if you get it wrong

Driving without the right supervision: the learner can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to 6 penalty points on their provisional licence.
Driving without insurance: an unlimited fine, a driving ban and up to 8 penalty points.
No L plate, or one that is not the right size: up to 6 penalty points.

Before the first drive: a checklist

You are over 21, you are qualified to drive this type of car, and you have had your full driving licence for 3 years.
The learner has a provisional licence.
The learner is insured for this car, and your insurer accepts you as the supervisor.
L plates (or D plates in Wales) are on the front and the back.
Your phone is put away.
Your route has no motorway.

Helping with the theory test too

Practice drives go well with theory practice at home. Sit the free 50-question timed practice quiz side by side, and read our study plan for the theory test. Drivoku does not include hazard perception practice. Our page for parents explains what Drivoku is and what it costs.

Common questions

Can I supervise a learner driver if I am 20?

No. GOV.UK says the supervisor must be over 21 and have had their full driving licence for 3 years.

Can a learner drive on the motorway with a parent?

No. It is illegal for a learner to drive on the motorway when practising with family or friends.

Can I use my phone while supervising?

No. It is illegal for the person supervising to use a mobile phone while supervising.

Does my full licence have to be from the UK?

No. It can be from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and you must have had it for 3 years.

What happens if a learner drives without the right supervisor?

The learner can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to 6 penalty points on their provisional licence for driving without the right supervision.

Sources

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Source: GOV.UK and nidirect, checked 1 November 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.