Can you carry passengers with a provisional licence?

With a Category B provisional licence, an accompanying driver must sit beside you and hold a valid licence for at least ten years; they must be no older than 65. In town, you may carry passengers up to the vehicle’s approved seating capacity. In a private car on a motorway, main extra-urban road or at night, only the accompanying driver may be on board.

The practical rule for Category B

With a Category B provisional licence, an accompanying driver aged 65 or under must sit beside you. They must hold a valid licence in the same category for at least ten years, or a higher-category licence. The Highway Code does not generally prohibit other passengers during ordinary practice in town: they may use approved seats and must wear seat belts and use the required child seats. This differs from AM, A1, A2 and A licences, where carrying passengers during practice is prohibited.

There is one specific exception: when practising on a motorway, main extra-urban road or at night in a car that is not a driving-school vehicle, only the accompanying driver acting as instructor may be in the car besides the learner. So a friend may ride along in town if a qualified tutor is beside you and there is an approved seat. In the special situations under Article 122, they may not. Driving-school vehicles with an instructor and dual controls follow their own rules.

Do not apply rules by analogy

Accompanied driving at age 17 is a separate scheme, with its own authorisation, designated tutors and conditions. Two-wheel vehicles and other categories also have different rules. A rule for another licence or ordinary urban practice does not automatically apply to Category B practice. If you need to accompany a relative or carry a child, do not assume a child seat and seat belt make it permitted: first check the rule for that type of practice and road.

The safest approach is to practise with only the required accompanying driver and agree on the route in advance. For a driving-school lesson, follow the instructor’s directions and the rules for the school vehicle. For an individual case, tell the UMC or school the category, road, time and vehicle type. A breach can lead to administrative penalties and, above all, creates an avoidable risk while the learner is still learning. Do not treat a forum post or general answer as permission to carry a passenger.

Before setting off

• Check whether this is private practice or a driving-school lesson with an instructor.
• On motorways, main extra-urban roads or at night, check who is allowed in the car.
• Wait until you hold a full licence and the rules are clear before travelling with passengers.

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