What to Do After Passing Your Driving Test - AllCarIndex

Have you recently passed your driving test? Congratulations! This is a huge moment in your life and the start of a new chapter. Passing your test is a milestone and will provide a newfound sense of freedom and independence, but it can also be daunting when you start driving by yourself without L plates. Here are a few tips that will help you navigate this period as you start to build your confidence.

Get Your Full Driving License

Once you’ve passed your driving test, you’ll need to get your full license. You can hand your provisional license to the examiner, who will give you a pass certificate and arrange for a full license to be sent by the DVLA. This can take up to three weeks to arrive but do not worry, you can still drive straight away with your pass certificate - just make sure that your vehicle is taxed and insured and that all your details are up to date.

Buying a Vehicle

Buying your first car is incredibly exciting, and it’s a vehicle that you will never forget. Obviously, money will be a factor, so you need to work out how much you can afford to spend, factoring in running costs like insurance, fuel, road tax, and maintenance. Used cars are a good choice for new motorists as they are more affordable, you can get more for your money, and they are cheaper to insure. Opt for a small engine that runs on petrol for further savings. 

Getting Insurance

If you have learner insurance, make sure that you cancel it, as it will now be invalid. Before you can drive another person’s vehicle or your own, you must have full car insurance. Driving without insurance is illegal and a punishable offence. Research your options online and choose a car insurance policy that suits your needs and budget - there are handy comparison websites that can make this easier. Black box insurance is also worth considering, as this can lower your costs if you are a safe and competent driver. Additionally, make sure that your vehicle is taxed, as this is also legally required.

P Plates & Practice

L plates are a legal requirement, while P plates are optional. If you are feeling anxious about driving, P plates can help by communicating other road users that you have recently passed. There is always room for improvement with driving, so build your abilities and confidence with plenty of practice. This should involve driving to new areas and on the motorway. You could also consider taking a Pass Plus course.

Passing your test is an incredibly exciting time, but it can also be daunting when you start driving by yourself. Hopefully, the advice in this post will be useful and help you start to build confidence behind the wheel.