Driving at night may feel like a daunting prospect, but learning how to drive in the dark will be hugely beneficial to you in the long run.
Once you’ve passed your test, you will inevitably have to drive at night and putting in the hours of practice during this part of the day will stand you in good stead.
Here we run through everything you need to know about whether you can drive at night as a learner driver.
Does a provisional licence allow you to drive at night?
As long as you have the right learner driver insurance, you are permitted to have driving lessons at night. If you are learning in a parent/guardian’s car then you will need to display L plates in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, however, if you live in Wales you will need D plates.
It’s also worth noting that you are not allowed to drive whilst wearing tinted glasses at night time.
Why is driving at night more difficult?
Driving at night can be trickier because your spatial awareness and hazard perception abilities are reduced due to the dark. You are also relying on roads being lit by lamposts, your headlights and other vehicles’ lights.
In these conditions, it’s easy to become disoriented, especially when you’re driving along roads that you’re not completely familiar with.
Living in the UK you can’t avoid driving in the dark at some stage, especially when the winter sun sets at 4pm. Practising whilst you are learning will stand you in good stead for when you get your full driving licence. The more you practise the easier and more natural it will become.
Why should you drive at night as a learner driver?
Being able to adapt to different situations is the mark of a good driver, but you will not be able to do so unless you put yourself into those situations such as driving at night where you need your wits about you.
Your driving lessons will provide you an ideal opportunity to work on your driving skills without natural light. Practicing in the dark isalso a good chance to familiarise yourself with the controls you will need, such as headlights and fog lights.
Of course, if you’re doing an intensive or semi-intensive driving course over the summer months, it might not be practical to get night time drives in.
Learner driver tips for driving at night
Here are five tips for having driving lessons during the night and darker evenings:
Clean your headlights
Making sure your headlights are clean will make it easier for you to see in the dark, unobstructed by any dirt that may have been lingering on the surface.
Don’t wear tinted glasses
Wearing tinted glasses can obstruct your vision, even more than the darkness you’re driving in. Make sure your environment is as light as you can make it.
Allow more time for your journey
Driving in the dark may mean you will need to drive slower than you would on the same route during the day, meaning you should allow for more time.
Judging the speed of other cars can also be tougher in the dark, so it’s better to allow for extra time and space with traffic.
Know your car’s controls
It’s important to know which headlights to use in which circumstances. This will make you more comfortable in your car and on the road.
Anticipating hazards
This is the time for your hazard perception to come into play. Noticing hazards while you still have time to react to them will be even more important in the dark.
Learner driver insurance
We offer learner driver insurance policies tailored to suit your needs. Call 0800 369 8590 for a swift no-hassle quote. Alternatively, book a callback at a time that suits you.
