Legal Obligations of Drivers and Riders
You must do several things before you drive a car or ride a motorcycle. These include getting a driving licence, registering, insuring and taxing your vehicle, and getting an MOT.
Before you drive or ride
You must:
- have the correct driving licence
- be the minimum driving or riding age
- meet the minimum eyesight rules
Learner drivers
You must:
- be supervised by a qualified driver (except if riding a motorcycle)
- display L plates (L plates or D plates in Wales)
Vehicle requirements
The vehicle must:
- be registered with DVLA
- have up to date vehicle tax (check if your vehicle is taxed online)
- have a current MOT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)
- be roadworthy
You must also have a minimum of third party insurance that covers your use of the vehicle.
Changes to personal or vehicle details
You must tell DVLA if you:
- change your name or gender
- change your address
- make any alterations to your vehicle
- sell your vehicle
- have or develop a medical condition
You’ll need to change your name on both your driving licence and your vehicle log book (V5C).
Driving larger vehicles or buses
There are higher medical and eyesight standards for driving larger vehicles.
You must tell DVLA if you have any driving convictions.
If you’re applying for a passenger-carrying vehicle (PCV) licence then you must also tell DVLA if you have any other convictions.
Showing your driving documents
If a police officer asks you to, you must be able to show:
- your driving licence
- a valid insurance certificate
- a valid MOT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)
If you don’t have the documents with you at the time, you may be asked to take them to a police station within 7 days.
