Can I Get Car Finance with a Provisional Licence?

Female learner driver

Car finance is a popular option for all kinds of drivers, not least those getting their first car. But what about buyers who haven’t actually passed their test? There are lots of people out there who want to buy a car ready for the moment they pass or even learn and take their test in a new set of wheels.

In this post, we’ll explain whether you can get car finance with a provisional licence and the limitations in doing so.

Car finance with a provisional licence

The good news for the people mentioned above is that you can get car finance with a provisional licence. The main requirement is that you’re legally able to drive the car you’re buying.

With a provisional licence, that simply means you need someone with you who is over 21 years old and has held their own full licence for three or more years. Or a qualified driving instructor, of course. It’s also worth noting that you’ll need to be at least 17 years old, even though you can apply for a provisional licence once you reach 15 years and 9 months.

Because you haven’t passed your test (and there’s no guarantee you will), lenders may put some limitations on the kind of car they will help you finance – and how much you can borrow. An upper limit of around £25,000 can be expected, although this depends on affordability.

If you want to increase your chances of success or get more freedom when it comes to your car finance options with a provisional licence, consider the following:

  • Joint application – You can apply for joint car finance with someone living at the same address.
  • Guarantor – Getting someone to guarantee your loan will give lenders the reassurance they need.

Talk to our car finance experts

My Car Credit aims to make it easier to get the car you want and need, whatever your circumstances. Check your car finance eligibility online today to get started, and don’t hesitate to contact our team on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk if you have any questions.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

Can I Buy a Car with a UK Provisional Licence?

Young man happy he can get a car on a provisional licence

Whether you’ve always been a keen motorhead or you just want to get familiar with a particular car prior to taking your test, there are various reasons why learner drivers might want to buy a car before they’ve passed.

Read on as we answer the frequently asked question, “can I buy a car with a UK provisional licence?”

Can you buy a car with a UK provisional licence?

The great news is that yes, you can buy a car with a UK provisional licence. However, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) does have legal obligations for car ownership that must be fulfilled – no matter what kind of licence you have.

As well as ensuring that you have your provisional licence, you must also have your MOT certificate, up-to-date vehicle tax, and your vehicle log book (known as the V5C). You must also ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and is registered with the DVLA itself.

Remember, that with a provisional licence, you cannot drive the car. You’re only able to do so provided that you are accompanied by someone with a full driving licence, and there must be ‘L’ plates displayed. The insurance must cover both people in the car, too.

Bear in mind that most car finance companies won’t approve a finance deal with a driver who only has their provisional licence. It’s seen as too great a risk.

What car should you buy?

It’s important to go for a car that can get scratched up. Smaller cars with good fuel efficiency and small engines are best – and these also tend to be cheaper to insure.

Do your research on the best kind of vehicles for beginners, and stick to those – don’t dream too big. You may find family or friends selling old models at a discounted rate. As you know them, they’re less likely to deceive you about the car’s quality or safety, and they may offer price reductions if you’re lucky.

Alternatively, you could even look out for the exact model that you learn to drive in. That way, you won’t be thrown by any changes between different makes of car.

Why buy a car when you can’t yet drive?

It might seem strange to buy a car when you only have your provisional licence, but there are logical reasons for why you might want to do so.

Insurance

Finding insurance as a new driver can be tricky, and it can be more complex depending on factors like your age and gender too. By purchasing a car whilst you’re still learning, you’re giving yourself time to research the right insurance policy for when you’re hitting the roads without a fully-licensed companion.

Familiarity

As we touched on above, purchasing a car that’s the same as your instructor’s means you won’t be thrown by difference between models and makes. Similarly, if you practice driving in a car with a provisional licence (with a licensed driver also in the vehicle), you’ll be more confident to hit the road on your own once you’ve passed your test.

Your first car after passing

When you pass your test, and your provision licence is swapped for a full one, you may well want to swap your learner car for something a bit nicer too. That’s where My Car Credit can help.

Check for car finance without affecting your credit rating, then get a quote that’s tailored to your credit score and affordability. You’ll be able to upgrade your learner car in no time, without breaking the bank!

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!