Your driving life
Your first steps as a new driver
You've passed! Finally, you're able to enjoy the freedom that being a qualified driver brings. Here are a few pointers to get your driving life off to a great start.
Get your full driving licence
Having passed both your Theory and Practical Tests, your examiner will apply to the DVLA for your full driving licence. The driving licence has two parts - a photo card, which is handy to carry in your purse or wallet, and a paper counterpart, which includes the details of your driving entitlement history and any endorsements.
What vehicles can you drive?
Your driving licence will show the vehicle classifications that you're authorised to drive. When you receive your full driving licence from the DVLA, check that it shows the driving entitlement that you expected to receive. For more information, see www.direct.gov.uk/motoring.
Thinking about buying your own car?
BSM and the RAC can help with advice, our Learning to drive pages show you some easy ways to make it affordable.
Observing the rules
After the time and effort you've put into achieving your full driving licence, the last thing you'll want to do is lose it, so make sure you adhere to the 'rules of the road'. You can get penalty points for a number of driving offences such as speeding and driving without due care and attention, and it takes only six penalty points within two years of passing your test to lose your licence.
All you need to know
The RAC website is packed with all the information you'll need, from maintaining your car to planning your journey and driving abroad. So whatever you want to know about keeping your car on the road, find it at RAC.
