Driving Test Tips

  • Learn to Drive
  • Driving Theory Test
  • Driving Test Tutorials
  • Tips for Passing the Driving Test
  • Driving Schools
  • Car Tips
  • Driving Tips
Home Is it Illegal to Drive With L Plates?

Is it Illegal to Drive With L Plates?

Is it Illegal to Drive With L Plates?

We all know that the law requires learner drivers to display L plates. But what about full licence holders, is it illegal to drive with L plates as a fully qualified driver?

The Highway Code (Annex 3. Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements) states: ‘Plates should be removed or covered when not being driven by a learner (except on driving school vehicles).’

The Highway Code in most part is considered as advisory. Where the Highway Code is backed by law, instructions will contain the uppercase and highlighted in bold words ‘MUST‘ or ‘MUST NOT‘. Instructions that are advisory will contain the words ‘should’ or ‘should not’ in normal text.

So the answer is no, as a full licence holder, it’s not illegal to drive with L plates.


What Might the Police Say?

As a full licence holder and particularly if you’re quite young, driving with L plates on your vehicle may attract the attention of the police. They may be interested to find out whether you’re driving unsupervised while holding a provisional driving licence only.

Upon establishing the legality of your driving status, an officer may ask you to remove the L plates due to their presence misrepresenting your licensing entitlements. Due to there being no law that specifically states they must be removed, whether you do so or not is ultimately your decision (though probably best to).

Should I Remove the L Plates?

Other than the fact that the Highway Code recommends you do so and that you may gain unwanted attention from the police (and waste their time), I’ve often found that driving with L plates can cause more hazardous situations than prevents.

Due to some drivers finding themselves being stuck behind a learner driver, you tend to find that they sometimes take unnecessary risks in order to pass / overtake. Equally, to prevent being stuck behind a learner driver, they can hazardously pull out from a upcoming junction in a bid to stay ahead.

If your L plates are easily removed, it’s probably best that you take them off.






Driving Test Tips
Can You Pass the Driving Test Without Lessons?Theory Test Changes 2020

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Driving Test Tips

Experienced and fully qualified driving instructors helping learner drivers pass the DVSA practical driving test.

Learning to Drive, Passed Driving Test
Driving Test Tips Blog
  • Blog Front Page


Categories
  • Driving Test Routes (2)
  • Learning to Drive (13)
  • Passed Driving Test (19)
  • Practical Driving Test (17)
  • Theory Test (1)
Recent Posts
  • Parents Parking Outside of Schools
  • No Driving Test Dates Available
  • How to Check if My Driving Licence is Valid
  • Why Driving Instructors Charge For the Driving Test
  • Theory Test Changes 2020
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • International Drivers Tips
  • Driving Instructor Training Advice
  • About Driving Test Tips
  • Contact Driving Test Tips
2021 © Driving Test Tips
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT