Legal obligations

Driver obligations

Before you drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle, you must:

• Hold the right driving licence
• Be of the minimum age to drive or ride
• Meet the legal eyesight standards

In addition to the above, a learner driver must:

• Be supervised by a qualified driver when driving a vehicle (not applicable to motorcycles)
• Display L plates

Vehicle obligations

Before you take a vehicle on the road it must:

• Be registered in the UK
• Have valid vehicle tax
• Have a current test certificate (if required)

You must have the minimum of third party insurance to cover your use of the vehicle.

Notification obligations

You must tell the DVLA in Swansea if you:

• Change your address and/or name
• Make any alterations to your vehicle
• Sell your vehicle
• Develop or have a medical condition, if you suddenly require glasses, or if your eyesight further deteriorates (in Northern Ireland use the DVA local office in this instance)

Larger vehicles or buses obligations

There are higher conduct, eyesight and medical standards for driving larger vehicles. More information on medical standards can be found on the GOV.UK or the nidirect website. You must also tell the DVLA or DVA if you have driving-related convictions. If you have a passenger-carrying vehicle, you must also tell DVLA or DVA if you have any non-driving convictions.