Licences, insurance, MOT and vehicle tax — what the Essential Documents topic tests and the rules and annexes to revise.
What does “Essential Documents” cover?
The paperwork questions: driving licence categories and learner rules, insurance levels, the MOT scheme, vehicle tax and SORN, and what to do when documents, addresses or medical conditions change.
Which Highway Code rules should I revise?
Rule 90 (health and notifiable medical conditions), rule 92 (eyesight standard — reading a plate from 20 metres), Annexe 2 (learner driver and supervision rules) and Annexe 3 (documentation: licence, insurance, MOT and tax requirements).
Test yourself on Essential Documents
Free Essential Documents practice questions in the official four-option format, with explained answers and Highway Code references.
Start the Essential Documents practice testFrequently asked questions
What documents must you have to drive legally?
A valid driving licence for the vehicle category, at least third-party insurance, vehicle tax, and an MOT once the vehicle is three years old. Police can require you to produce documents within 7 days.
What insurance is the legal minimum?
Third-party only — it covers injury to others and damage to their property, but nothing on your own vehicle.
Revise the rest of the syllabus in the 14 DVSA topics directory, or sit the full free mock theory test.