Once you have passed your practical driving test you'll no longer need your L-plates, right? Not if you drive outwith the law….let us explain.

For most of us, passing our practical driving test means that we no longer need to rely on getting from A to B via public transport or the taxi service provided by our parents', friends or loved ones. Instead, we are free to travel as and when we please at our own convenience. Finally, we have a new found independence!

However, imagine for a moment how you would feel if you suddenly lost your newly-found freedom. Imagine if you lost your hard-won driving licence almost as soon as you had passed your practical driving test just because of a careless/thoughtless act, or both…how would you feel? Gutted? I'm sure you would be.

6 Point Limit

Anyone passing their practical driving test since 1997 has been placed on probation. If you receive 6 points within 2 years of passing your practical driving test, your licence will be revoked…simple! As a learner driver you will once again need to display L-plates, you won't be able to drive on the motorway and you must be accompanied by someone over 21 who has held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years.

Be warned - there is no quick fix to securing a new full and valid UK driving licence once it's been revoked. You will need to apply for another provisional driving licence and resit both your theory and practical driving tests again. In other words, you'll be back to square one and all your hard work and money used to pass both test the first time around will have been wasted…all because of your own stupidity. Both resits will be the same as a normal theory and practical driving test, but if your crime is serious enough, you might even be required to sit an extended practical driving test.

A driving ban can also have other painful repercussions once you finally regain your full UK driving licence. Here's a list of some of the problems you might encounter:

	Dramatically increased insurance quotes;
	Endorsements on your new licence for at least 4 years and up to 11 year for serious offenses;
	If you need a driving licence to hold down our job, you may well lose your job;
	That new job that was nearly your...many employers won't employ someone without a valid UK driving licence;

Taking the Penalty

If you accumulate 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing your UK practical driving test, you will receive a letter telling you that your driving licence is no longer valid and that you will need to retake both your theory and practical driving tests before you can drive again.

Offence & Points 

Offence & Points 

Keeping your licence