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What happens after you pass your driving test?

24/09/2025

Lauren McAfee Insurance Editor and Writer

Last Updated: 24 Sept 2025
Read time: 8 minutes

Written by: Lauren McAfee
Insurance Writer and Editor

Reviewed by: Mark McKeown

Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines

Getting your licence is a huge achievement, especially in recent years when the cost of learning is becoming so high. But passing your test is only the start of becoming a fully independent driver. 

Before you get on the road alone, there are a few important steps to take, from applying for your full licence to sorting out insurance, tax, and your first car.

This guide explains what happens after you pass your driving test, including some legal requirements of owning a car, and tips to help keep costs down as you start driving on your own. 

1. Switch your provisional for a full licence

When you pass your test, you’ll need to exchange your provisional, or learner’s licence, for a full licence. You can do this by:

  • Giving your provisional to the examiner, and they will arrange for the full licence to be sent to you. It can take up to 3 weeks to arrive. 
  • Apply on your own. For this, you will need a signed driving test pass certificate, which you will get from your examiner. You will need to provide some other identification and your provisional licence, along with a D1 application form. These can be found at select post offices. 

2. Updating insurance once you have passed your test

Once you pass your test, you are no longer covered under any learner driver insurance you had. 

If you took your test in an instructor’s car, you would have been covered by their insurance policy during your lessons and your test. And if you took the test in your own car, or a family member’s, you will have been insured on that vehicle as a learner. 

In both cases, you can no longer legally drive the car under the existing learner insurance once you have passed your test. This is important to know so you can make arrangements to get home after you have passed. 

When getting back on the road, simply update your existing insurance or take out a new car insurance policy, making it clear you have a full licence and are no longer a learner driver. 

3. Choosing your first car 

The car you choose is an important decision for many reasons. The main one is that the make a model you choose has a direct impact on how much you will pay for insurance. With insurance for young drivers costing an average of £1,252** every year, this is not a choice to make lightly. 

  • Low insurance cars – Opt for a low value, low powered car with a smaller engine to help keep insurance costs down. Research the car’s insurance group before buying, and avoid specialist or modified vehicles, which usually come with higher premiums.
  • View and test drive – Always see the vehicle in person and take it for a test drive before committing. Check for damage, leaks or signs of repairs. If you’re unsure, bring along an experienced driver for a second opinion.
  • Run a vehicle history check – This can confirm the car is not stolen, written off, or still under finance. This gives you extra peace of mind that the car is being sold legitimately.
  • Ask for key documents – Request the V5C logbook and service history from the seller. These records show whether the car has been properly maintained and may help you avoid unexpected repair costs.
  • Check the MOT – If the car is more than three years old, it must have a valid MOT certificate. You can look up its MOT history online to see past advisories or failures.
  • Avoid pressure – A reputable seller will not rush you into a quick decision. Take your time to compare options and only buy when you’re confident.

4. Paying for your car

Once you’ve chosen the right vehicle, the next step is working out how to pay for it and making sure you can afford to run it.

  • Set a realistic budget – Don’t just think about the upfront price. Factor in the full cost of ownership, including road tax, fuel, servicing, repairs, breakdown cover and annual insurance. Getting an insurance quote before you buy will help you check that the car is affordable in the long run.
  • Decide how to pay – You might buy outright if you have savings, or spread the cost through finance. Common finance options include hire purchase (HP) and personal contract purchase (PCP), which let you pay in instalments but may have mileage or ownership conditions.
  • Caution when buying privately – Buying from a private seller can be cheaper, but you don’t get the same legal protections as you do with a dealer. Make sure the paperwork is correct and never hand over money until you are satisfied.
  • Negotiate the price – Most sellers expect some negotiation. You can justify a lower offer if the car has high mileage, limited service history, worn tyres, visible damage, or if the MOT is due soon. Do your research and stick to a realistic counteroffer.

5. Understanding insurance 

Car insurance is a legal requirement and something you will have to renew every year, so it is worth taking the time to understand it from the start. 

  • Why insurance costs more for new drivers – Insurers see drivers with less experience as higher risk, which is why premiums are usually more expensive in the first few years.
  • Coverage options – You have 3 core captions when choosing insurance. The third party only provides the minimum legally required cover, protecting damage to other people and their vehicles, but not your own. Third party, fire and theft adds protection if your car is stolen or damaged by fire. Comprehensive is the most common option. It includes all the above and also covers damage to your own car, even if you were at fault.
  • Telematics insurance – Also called black box insurance, these policies use a device or mobile app to monitor how you drive. They often offer lower premiums if you display safe driving habits.
  • Add-ons to consider – Other protection can be added to the 3 coverage options. Things like breakdown cover, courtesy car cover, or legal expenses protection can be added at an extra cost. 
  • No claims discounts – Each year you drive without making a claim earns you a discount on future premiums. This is important as a new driver as it can significantly reduce insurance costs over time.
  • Penalties for no insurance – Driving uninsured simply isn’t worth the risk. It can result in a £300 fine, 6 penalty points, losing your licence, and even your car being seized.*

6. Tips for finding cheaper insurance 

Young motorists are currently paying the highest premiums across all age groups and UK regions. You can check out the full UK car insurance price index to find averages for your age and area.

Expert advice on saving on insurance 

“Unfortunately, insurance costs for young drivers are the highest across all age groups. But there are ways to find savings on young driver insurance, such as choosing a smaller car, avoiding modifications, adding a more experienced driver to the policy, keeping mileage to a minimum and adding additional safety features such as trackers and dashcams.”

Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone

Read the full guide on how to get cheaper car insurance as a new driver

7. Taxing your vehicle

Tax is another annual expense you’ll face when owning a car. The amount you pay varies based on your car’s  CO₂ emissions or engine size, with more emissions generally meaning higher tax. 

This fee can range from £10 to over £1,000, so this is worth researching before you buy your car. Failing to tax your car could mean fines up to £2,500 and your car being clamped.***

8. Getting an MOT

Any car over three years old requires an annual MOT. This checks its basic safety, emissions and roadworthiness. 

This is why buying a car that has recently passed an MOT can give a baseline of its condition and help avoid immediate repair costs. You can also check the full MOT history, including any advisories or past failures. 

9. Driving alone

The freedom of driving solo can be both a relief and daunting. Some tips for staying safe include:

  • Take short trips first, using familiar roads with few potential hazards.
  • Take an experienced passenger you trust to be your second pair of eyes until you feel confident. 
  • Use maps to pre-plan routes and give yourself extra time to avoid rushing.
  • Use “do not disturb” mode on your phone so you are not distracted by notifications. 
  • If driving with friends, don’t let peer pressure encourage risky behaviour.
  • Use P plates, or the equivalent in your area, to let other drivers know you are new on the road. This is not always necessary, but it can encourage caution and patience from others.

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References:

*https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-without-insurance
**Data from Quotezone, this data uses a random sample of over 100,000 UK car insurance policies from April 2025 – June 2025.
***https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vehicle-enforcement-policy/dvla-enforcement-of-vehicle-tax-registration-and-insurance-offences

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.