Learning to drive at the moment? You might be wondering if you're allowed to carry passengers while you practise.
The short answer is yes, learner drivers can carry passengers in the car. However, you’ll need to be accompanied by a qualified supervisor driver who is over 21 years old and has held a full licence for at least 3 years.
This is so you get the right guidance and support while learning to drive with passengers.
Who can be in the car with a learner driver?
If you’re not driving with an instructor, you’ll need to be accompanied by a qualified supervisor. This could be a friend or family member who:
- Is over 21 years old.
- Has held a full driving licence for at least 3 years.
- Has the right licence for your vehicle (for example, a manual licence for a manual car).
- Agrees to sit in the front passenger seat and doesn’t use their mobile phone while you drive.
Number of passengers a learner driver can have
Learner drivers can carry as many passengers as the car legally allows. However, it's a good idea to limit passengers at first, as they can be distracting, especially for inexperienced drivers. Gain some confidence driving solo with your supervisor before offering rides to friends.
Can a learner driver transport children?
Learner drivers can have child passengers as long as a qualified supervisor is in the front seat. However, driving with kids can be distracting, so it's best to wait until you're a more skilled driver before regularly driving with young passengers.
Insurance for learner drivers with passengers
As a learner driver, you’ll need the right type of insurance to cover you while you practise, including when you carry passengers. In most cases, you’ll have 2 options:
- If you’re using someone else’s car to practise driving, the owner can add you to their insurance as a named driver.
- You can also buy a separate learner driver or provisional insurance policy.
Can a learner driver's supervisor sit in the back seat?
No, the law states that your supervisor must sit in the front passenger seat with you. This allows them to support you while you learn, and even take control of the vehicle if necessary.
Is the learner driver liable in an accident?
Learner drivers have the same legal responsibilities as fully licensed drivers, so they can be held liable for any accidents they cause. That’s why it's important for learners to drive carefully, focus on the road and follow all traffic laws.
Can learners drive on the motorway with passengers?
Learner drivers can only drive on the motorway with a qualified driving instructor in a car with L plates and dual controls. This ensures they have proper guidance and safety measures in place when practising high-speed motorway driving.
Are L plates needed when a learner driver has passengers?
When you’re learning to drive, you must display L plates on the front and rear of your vehicle at all times, whether or not you’re carrying passengers. This lets other road users know that you’re still learning and may need extra space or patience.
What insurance should I get once I’ve passed my test?
Once you’ve passed your test and gained your full licence, you’ll need a social, domestic and pleasure (or SDP) insurance policy to cover you for personal driving. Some of these policies also cover you for commuting to a regular place of work or study, so be sure to check the policy wording and shop around to get the best quote.
We offer specially designed insurance for new drivers, which gives you all the cover you need to start driving. It also rewards you with lower prices when you drive safely, so you get a better price for your policy based on the way you drive.
