Documents practice questions

1. Where must L plates be shown on a car being driven by a learner?

Answer: On the front and the back

L plates must be shown on the front and back so they can be seen easily. In Wales, D plates can be used.

2. Which person can legally supervise a learner driver in a car?

Answer: A 25-year-old who has held a full car licence for 4 years

A supervisor must be at least 21 and have held a full licence for that type of car (manual or automatic) for at least 3 years. The supervision must be unpaid unless they are an approved driving instructor.

3. From what age can you apply for a provisional car licence?

Answer: 15 years and 9 months

You can apply for a provisional licence at 15 years and 9 months. You can usually start driving a car at 17.

4. When does a new car normally need its first MOT in Great Britain?

Answer: By the third anniversary of its registration

A car must have its first MOT by the time it is three years old, then every year after that.

5. What is the minimum type of motor insurance you must have by law?

Answer: Third party

Third party insurance is the legal minimum. It covers injury or damage to other people and their property, but not repairs to your own car.

6. You passed your driving test 18 months ago. How many penalty points would get your licence cancelled (revoked)?

Answer: 6 or more

If you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test, your licence is revoked.

7. What is the penalty for holding and using a phone while driving?

Answer: 6 penalty points and a £200 fine

You can get 6 points and a £200 fine for holding and using a phone while driving. It can go to court, with a fine of up to £1,000 and a ban.

8. Jay passed his test a year ago and is caught holding his phone while driving. What happens if he gets the full penalty for this offence?

Answer: He loses his licence and must pass both theory and practical tests again

The phone offence carries 6 points. New drivers who reach 6 or more points within 2 years of passing lose their licence and must retake both tests.

9. If the police give you a fixed penalty for driving without insurance, what is it?

Answer: £300 and 6 penalty points

The fixed penalty is £300 and 6 points. If it goes to court the fine is unlimited and you can be banned. Police can also seize the car.

10. Your car is exempt from vehicle tax, so it costs nothing to tax. Do you still need to tax it before driving it?

Answer: Yes, you must still tax it even if it costs nothing

GOV.UK says you must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay anything. If it is kept off the road, you register it as off the road (SORN) instead.

11. A police officer asks to see your driving documents but you do not have them with you. What can happen?

Answer: You can be asked to take them to a police station within seven days

If you cannot show your licence, insurance certificate and MOT certificate (if needed), you may be asked to produce them at a police station within seven days.

12. You passed your car test this year. With a category B licence, how many passenger seats can the vehicle you drive have?

Answer: Up to 8

If you passed on or after 1 January 1997, category B lets you drive vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (petrol or diesel) with up to 8 passenger seats.

13. You've bought your first car and your dad will supervise you in it. Who needs insurance as a learner on this car?

Answer: You, with your own learner policy

GOV.UK says you need your own insurance as a learner if you practise in a car you own. Your supervisor will usually be covered on it too.

14. You practise in your mum's car. When she drives it to work on her own, what should happen to the L plates?

Answer: Take them off or cover them

L plates should be removed or covered when the vehicle isn't being driven by a learner (driving school cars are an exception).

15. You've just passed your driving test. Do you have to display green P plates?

Answer: No, they are optional

In Great Britain P plates are optional. You can display them to show you've just passed, and leave them on for as long as you like.

16. Which type of motor insurance also covers damage to your own car?

Answer: Comprehensive

Comprehensive cover is the most expensive type, and it also covers your own vehicle up to its market value. Third party only does not pay for your own car.

17. You stop insuring your car while it sits on your drive for a few months. What must you do to avoid a penalty?

Answer: Tell DVLA it's off the road (SORN)

You must keep a vehicle insured unless you declare it off the road with a SORN. The registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle can be fined £100, and the car can be clamped, impounded or destroyed.

18. Your car's MOT ran out yesterday. When may you drive it on the road?

Answer: To a pre-arranged MOT test or for repairs

You must not drive a vehicle without a valid MOT when it needs one. The exceptions are driving to a pre-arranged MOT test, or to or from somewhere to be repaired.

19. You buy a used car from your neighbour. It still has six months of tax left. Can you drive it home straight away?

Answer: No, tax doesn't transfer; tax it first

The tax is not transferred to you when you buy a vehicle. You must tax it yourself before you drive it. The seller gets a refund for any full months left.

20. You've just bought a used car and the log book (V5C) is not yet in your name. What can you use to tax it?

Answer: The green 'new keeper' slip from the log book

To tax a vehicle you need a reference number from a DVLA reminder letter, a V5C in your name, or the green 'new keeper' slip if you've just bought it.

21. You're looking at a used car to buy, and the seller shows you its V5C. What is this document?

Answer: The vehicle log book (registration certificate)

The V5C is the vehicle registration certificate, often called the log book. It shows who the registered keeper is, and you tell DVLA when you buy or sell the vehicle.

22. You've sold your car. What should you do about DVLA?

Answer: Tell DVLA, and get back any full months of tax

When you sell a vehicle you tell DVLA about the new keeper. Your vehicle tax is then cancelled and you get a refund for any full months left.

23. You move into a new flat for university. What must you do about your driving licence?

Answer: Update your address with DVLA (it's free)

You must update your provisional or full licence when you move. It's free, and you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don't tell DVLA.

24. You get penalty points for speeding. How long do most endorsements like this stay on your driving record?

Answer: 4 years from the date of the offence

Most endorsements stay on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence. Some serious offences, such as drink or drug driving, stay for 11 years.

25. For an experienced driver, how many penalty points within 3 years can lead to a ban?

Answer: 12 or more

You can be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within 3 years. New drivers have a lower limit of 6 in their first 2 years.

26. Sam got 3 points on her provisional licence. She has now passed her test and, a year later, gets 3 more points. What happens?

Answer: Her licence is revoked, as both sets count

Unexpired points on a provisional licence carry over when you pass. If they bring your total to 6 or more within 2 years of passing, your licence is revoked.

27. Which of these do you NOT need to tell DVLA about?

Answer: Being short-sighted, if you meet the standard with glasses

You must tell DVLA about any eyesight problem that affects both eyes (or your one eye). This does not include being short or long sighted or colour blind.

28. You have a medical condition that affects your driving, but you don't tell DVLA. What can happen?

Answer: You can be fined up to £1,000

GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You can check your condition with DVLA's online tool.

29. How often must you renew your photocard driving licence?

Answer: Every 10 years

You must renew a photocard licence every 10 years. DVLA sends a reminder before it ends, and it costs £14 online.

30. Your 17-year-old friend drives his car to college alone on a provisional licence. What can he get?

Answer: A fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 points

Learners must be supervised. You can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to 6 penalty points on your provisional licence for driving without the right supervision.

31. You're learning to drive in Wales. Which plates can you display?

Answer: L plates or D plates

GOV.UK says learners in Wales can use D plates instead of L plates. Like L plates, they're red letters on a white background, shown front and back.

32. What is the pass mark for the multiple-choice part of the car theory test?

Answer: 43 out of 50

GOV.UK says the pass mark for the multiple-choice questions is 43 out of 50.

33. What is the pass mark for the hazard perception part of the car theory test?

Answer: 44 out of 75

GOV.UK says the hazard perception pass mark is 44 out of 75.

34. How long is your theory test pass certificate valid for?

Answer: 2 years

GOV.UK says your theory test pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You must pass your driving test in that time or take the theory test again.

35. During the practical driving test, how many vehicle safety 'show me, tell me' questions are you asked?

Answer: Two: one before you drive and one while you're driving

GOV.UK says you'll be asked two vehicle safety questions: a 'tell me' question at the start and a 'show me' question while you're driving.

36. In the independent driving part of the practical test, how will you be directed?

Answer: By a sat nav, by traffic signs, or both

GOV.UK says during independent driving you'll follow directions from a sat nav, traffic signs, or both.

37. How many driving faults (minors) can you make and still pass the car driving test?

Answer: Up to 15, with no serious or dangerous faults

GOV.UK says you'll pass if you make no more than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.

38. What is the minimum penalty for speeding?

Answer: A £100 fine and 3 penalty points

GOV.UK says the minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points.

39. Your MOT runs out on 15 May. From what date can you get the next MOT and keep the same renewal date?

Answer: 16 April

GOV.UK says you can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date. If it runs out on 15 May, you can test from 16 April.

40. What is the maximum fine for driving a car without a valid MOT?

Answer: Up to £1,000

GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.

41. Your grandad is 72. How often must he renew his driving licence?

Answer: Every 3 years

GOV.UK says once you reach 70 you must renew every 3 years. It's free to renew online.

42. You sell your car and tell DVLA. What happens to the vehicle tax you've already paid?

Answer: You get a refund for any full months left

GOV.UK says when you tell DVLA you've sold the vehicle, the tax is cancelled and you get a refund for any full months of tax remaining.