Young Drivers

The rules of the Highway Code apply to all road users: pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists as well as motorcyclists and drivers. It's a good place to start if you want to find out about your rights and responsibilities on the road.

Find out more about what you need before you can ride or drive one of the following:

• Mopeds
• Cars
• Agricultural Vehicles/ Mini buses and larger vehicles

 

Documents

If you get stopped by the police that you might have to 'produce your documents'. What does this mean? 

There are certain documents that you must have which show that you and your vehicle have the right to be on a public road. 

 

Driving Licence
You must have applied for and received your provisional driving licence before you start learning to drive a car. You must have applied for and received your full driving licence before you start driving alone.

 

MOT Certificate

MOT tests are designed to check that a vehicle comes up to basic road safety standards and basic environmental standards.

Once a vehicle is three years old it will need to have an MOT test every year. When a vehicle passes its MOT test the tester will provide the car with a certificate.

 

Insurance Certificate

Any vehicle driven on public roads must be insured. There are different types of insurance for vehicles and you should always check details and shop around before you buy your insurance.

At very least you should be insured so that if you are involved in an accident where someone else is hurt or their property is damaged, they can claim from your insurance company.

You should check your insurance covers you for every vehicle you intend to drive including your friends and family’s cars.

 

Tax Disc

Your vehicle should also have a valid tax disc (Vehicle Excise License). You can find out more about this on the DVLA website.

 

What if I cannot produce my documents?

If a police officer reasonably believes that you are driving without a valid driving licence or without valid insurance, they have the power to seize your vehicle.

To get it back you would have to produce valid documents at a police station and you may have to pay a fee to get your car back.

Driving without the right licence and paperwork may also be a criminal offence for which you may receive a fixed penalty notice or a summons to court to answer charges.