New driver rules *video

Special rules are set out for a period of two years from the date of passing a first UK driving test to drivers and motorcyclists from:

• The UK, EU/EEA, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Gibraltar who passed their first driving test in any of those countries
• Other foreign countries who have to pass a UK driving test to gain a UK licence, in which case the UK driving test is treated as their first driving test.
• Other foreign countries who (without needing a test) exchanged their licence for a UK licence and subsequently passed a UK driving test to drive another type of vehicle, in which case the UK driving test is treated as their first driving test. For example a driver who exchanges a foreign licence (car) for a UK licence (car) and who later passes a test to drive another type of vehicle (e.g. an HGV) will be subject to the special rules.

Once you have passed your practical test and are now a full licence holder you are on ‘probation’ for TWO years. Within this time if you acquire SIX or more points on your licence, your licence will be revoked (cancelled).

If you do lose your licence within the first 2 years, you will have to re-apply for a new provisional licence, and then pass both your theory and practical parts of the driving test again in order to receive a full licence. If you have not yet sent of your provisional licence to be upgraded to a full licence you can use your current provisional to retake your tests.