Learning to drive is an exciting milestone but it comes with certain responsibilities and legal requirements. In the UK, displaying L plates (also known as learner plates) is mandatory for those who are learning to drive.
The purpose of L plates is to indicate to other road users that the driver is in the learning phase and may not possess the same level of experience as a fully qualified driver. The use of L plates is a legal requirement for all learner drivers and if it isn’t displayed or even the wrong size, you can potentially receive 6 points on your license as well as a large fine.
Therefore, it’s crucial that you not only display L plates on your car but the plates that you use meet the legal requirements. To ensure that comply with the latest regulations, below is everything you need to know about L plates.
L Plate Regulations
There are various regulations put in place that determine what L plates you can use which include:
- L plates must be 178 x 178 mm in size
- They must have a white background and a red L
- They should only be used while a learner is driving
- If you live in Wales, you can use D plates instead of or as well as L plates (D stands for “dysgwr”, which is Welsh for learner)
Where Should You Put L Plates?
To comply with UK regulations, L plates should be displayed clearly on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving. The plates must also be positioned in a way that they are easily visible to other road users.
Ideally, you’ll want to position them as close to vertical as your car’s bodywork design allows. For example, most people will place the rear L plates on the boot and the front L plates on the bonnet as shown in the photos below.
Although there are no rules forbidding you from placing them in your car’s windows, we would advise against it. This is because it may obstruct your view of the road and that is another issue that could result in a fine.
How Many L Plates Do You Need On A Car?
To adhere to the regulations, it’s necessary to display at least two L plates on your vehicle (one at the front and one at the rear). This ensures maximum visibility and alerts other road users that the car is being driven by a learner. Failing to display L plates or displaying only one L plate may result in penalties or fines.
It’s worth pointing out that if you wish to put more than two L plates on your car, you can do so if needs be. For example, many people put two on each side of the boot and bonnet to ensure all road users can see the plates.
What Are The Types of L Plates Available?
There are several types of L plates available to cater to various preferences and car types and they include:
- Magnetic L Plates: These plates are designed with magnets on the back, allowing them to be easily attached and removed from the vehicle’s body. They are the most popular option to use and if you are wondering which ones to buy, AA offers a cheap pack of 2.
- Self-Cling L Plates: Self-cling L plates are made from static material that adheres to the glass surface without the need for any adhesive.
- Self-Adhesive L Plates: These L plates come with an adhesive backing for secure attachment and they are suitable for non-glass surfaces such as bumpers or bodywork.
- Tie-On L Plates: Tie-on L plates are made from durable material and feature holes or strings that allow them to be tied to the vehicle’s body.
It’s important to choose L plates that meet the standards set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to ensure they are clearly visible and comply with the legal requirements.
Is It Illegal To Drive With L Plates When Not A Learner?
While it’s a legal requirement for learner drivers to display L plates, it’s also illegal for fully qualified drivers to use them. Therefore, after passing your driving test, L plates must be removed from the vehicle. It’s also worth pointing out that if you share a car with a family member such as a parent, they’ll need to remove the L plates if they drive the car.
If you want to indicate to other road users that you are newly qualified, it may be worth displaying P plates on your car instead. They aren’t compulsory but they are a great way to indicate to others that you aren’t an experienced driver.
Conclusion
Learning to drive is a very exciting time and if you are lucky enough to have a car to drive to get some practice in, it’s crucial that you display appropriate L plates. Although there are ways to make your L plates look “cool” by jazzing them up, we would advise that you keep them standard and not alter them in any way whatsoever.
As a top tip, we always recommend carrying a spare set of L plates in your car just in case they come loose whilst driving. This is because they are prone to falling off and you don’t want to be caught out driving without L plates.
If you require further information regarding where to put L plates, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
