L and P plates explained
A faff-free guide to L and P plates UK: what they mean and are they a legal requirement?
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By Ben Welham
Last updated: 30 May 2025
Driving plates UK: how do they work?
In the UK, we have something called P plates, L plates and D plates, but what do each of them mean, who is meant to use them and where do they go on your car?
In this guide, we’ll break that all down, so you’ll know where you stand on the roads.
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L plates
An L plate is what you put on your car when you’re learning to drive, signifying to other drivers that they should give you more space and allow you more time to make manoeuvres.
D plates (Wales)
D plates are the same as L plates but are used in Wales, where ‘dysgwr’ means ‘learner’ in Welsh.
P plates
P plates stand for ‘probationary’ and are something you put on your car once you’ve passed your test. They may stay on the vehicle as long as you like, and are not a legal requirement.
L plates
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Are L plates a legal requirement
Yes, L plates are a legal requirement for all cars being driven by learners. Failing to add one could see you receiving up to six points on your provisional licence.
Where should I put my L plates?
L plates should be displayed visibly on both the front and back of the vehicle. They’re usually magnetic, making this easier, but they’re sometimes stickers, too.
The plates themselves must have a white background with a large red L or D (we’ll explain this letter later) on them.
They must also be the correct size. The government has set the legally required size for L plates, which can be found here.
How many L plates do I need?
You must have two L plates – one for the front of the vehicle and one for the rear of the vehicle.
These must be clearly visible at all times.
Official L plate specs
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By law, L plates must be a certain size, laid out by the UK government.
As seen in the image, these are the correct dimensions an L plate should be, including a red letter on a white background and measuring these sizes exactly.
The corners of the background may be rounded off.
It’s vital these dimensions are correct, otherwise you could face up to six points on your provisional licence.
Who are L plates for?
L plates are for learner drivers only, so if the vehicle is being driven by a non-learner, they must be removed, unless it’s a driving school car.
D plates
D plates are exactly the same as L plates, except they’re commonly found in Wales, where ‘learner’ is ‘dysgwr’ in Welsh.
You can either use L or D plates or both when a learner driver is at the wheel.
P plates
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Are P plates a legal requirement?
You may wish to add ‘probationary’ P plates to your car once you’ve passed, as they show you’ve only recently passed your test and that you wish to alert other road users of this.
They are not a legal requirement, and you can leave them on your car for as long as you’d like.
Unless you live in Northern Ireland, where you must use ‘R’ plates (restricted driver plates) for one year after you’ve passed.
Where should I put my P plates?
P plates should be displayed prominently on both the front and rear of the car, like with L plates.
Common places for these include the front bonnet and the rear boot. As long as they are visible and don’t obstruct the driver’s view of the road, they’re fine.
No official specs
There are no official size dimensions for P plates, though you should make sure they’re clearly visible and in good condition for other road users to see.
Who are P plates for?
P plates are for drivers who have recently passed their test and can stay on the car as long as they’d like.
You do not need to display them, but it can be a good idea to signal to other drivers that you’ve just passed your test.
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