Run a local bus service

Overview

A local bus service uses public service vehicles (PSVs) to carry passengers who pay separate fares over short distances.

The route can be any length, as long as passengers can get off within 15 miles (measured in a straight line) of where they got on.

You must usually register with the local authority and the local traffic commissioner if you’re operating a local service outside London - there are some exceptions.

You need a London Service Permit to run a service in London.

Who can register

You can register a local bus service if you:

hold a valid PSV operator’s licence

hold a community bus permit

are a local education authority and want to provide a local service using a school bus belonging to you

Taxi or private hire vehicle owners can also register by getting a special PSV operator’s licence.

Before you register

Before registering a local bus service you should consider if:

your route is suitable

you have the right sort of vehicles

you can keep to the timetable given the traffic conditions on route (your route)

you have enough drivers to cover absences though sicknesses, holidays, etc

you have replacement vehicles if other vehicles are off-road

there are any traffic regulation conditions – contact your local traffic area office

a Quality Partnership or Quality Contract Scheme exists - contact your local transport authority

You must run the service (a local bus service) just as you have registered it (a local bus service), even if staff members are ill or a vehicle is off the road. There are penalties if you do not.

How to register

You must tell the local authority in England or the local council in Scotland that you’re starting a bus service. You must do this 28 days before you apply to the traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner).

Apply to the traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner) at least 42 days before your service starts - or 56 days before if your service is in Wales.

This notice period begins on the day when the traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner) accepts your application.

Holders of a ‘Section 22’ community bus permit must give at least 28 days’ notice in England and Wales, and 56 days in Scotland.

If you want to start the service (a bus service) sooner you must complete a supplementary form. The traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner) decides whether or not to agree to this.

If you’re planning a service in Strathclyde, you must also give notice to the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport 28 days before you apply to the traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner).

Fees

It costs:

£60 to register a local bus service

£13 to register a community bus service

Apply online

You can register through the electronic bus service registration (EBSR) system. Telephone the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helpline for information on how to do this.

Apply by post

Print off and fill in the application form for the type of service you want to run:

PSV350 - application to register a bus service (England, Wales and Scotland)

Application to register a local bus service with a flexible route

PSV350A - supplementary form: application to start, change or cancel a registered bus service with less than 56 days’ notice (England, Wales and Scotland)

Where to send the form

Send the form and fees to:

Central Licensing Office - for England and Wales (except London)

Office of the Traffic Commissioner (the local traffic commissioner) – for Scotland

Other people you must tell

You must also send copies to:

all councils your route passes through - for example the county council, shire council, unitary authority

the relevant Passenger Transport Executive if there is one

Getting help

Read the following guides for more information on:

local bus service registration: guide for operators (England, Scotland and Wales)

the registration of flexibly routed local bus services: guide for operators

Change or cancel a bus service

Apply to the local authority and the traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner) if you want to:

change a timetable, route or other detail of your service

cancel the service (a bus service)

You must tell the local authority in England or the local council in Scotland that you’re changing or cancelling a bus service. You must do this 28 days before you apply to the traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner).

Apply to the traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner) at least 42 days before your service changes or stops - or 56 days before if your service is in Wales.

Holders of a section 22 community bus permit must give at least 28 days’ notice in England and Wales, and 56 days in Scotland.

If you want to make the changes or cancel the service (a bus service) sooner, you must fill in a supplementary form (England, Scotland or Wales). The traffic commissioner (the local traffic commissioner) decides whether or not to agree to this.

Fees

It costs:

£60 to change a local bus service

£13 to change a community bus service

There’s no fee for a cancellation.

Application and supplementary forms

Print off and fill in the application and supplementary forms (Application and supplementary forms) to:

change or cancel a registered bus service (England, Scotland or Wales)

change or cancel a registered bus service with less than 56 days notice (England, Scotland or Wales)

Exemptions

You do not have to register a bus service if all of the following apply:

someone other than you or your agent is responsible for arranging the journey and bringing the passengers together

the journey is not advertised in advance to the general public

all passengers travel together to or from the same place - for example a school or factory

passengers pay the same fare no matter how far they (all passengers) travel

School or college bus services

If you operate a bus service provided by a local education authority in England or Wales, you may not have to register it.

You do not need to register a service if the only passengers who pay fares are either:

studying at a school or college

supervising pupils or students

teachers or assistants working at the school or college (a service)

If other people can also use the service (a service), it (a service) must be registered.

Other exemptions

You do not need to register:

a replacement bus service (for example when a train service is temporarily cancelled and a bus is used instead)  provided under an agreement with the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the National Assembly for Wales

excursions or tours - unless they operate once a week or more for at least 6 weeks in a row

An excursion or tour is where passengers travel together on a journey, with or without breaks, from one or more places to one or more places and back.

Traffic regulation conditions

The local council can ask the traffic commissioner to impose conditions on your licence. The traffic commissioner will decide if conditions are needed to:

prevent dangers to other road users

reduce traffic congestion

limit environmental pollution

The conditions (Traffic regulation conditions) could affect:

your bus routes

where you can stop

when you can stop and for how long

where you can turn or reverse

the number of vehicles, their type or their frequency

In some cases the conditions will start straight away.

You’ll be told if conditions have been imposed and they’ll be added to your licence.

You cannot meet the conditions (Traffic regulation conditions)

You must change the registration within 28 days if you cannot run your service under the conditions (Traffic regulation conditions). You will not have to pay a fee if you change the registration because of these conditions (Traffic regulation conditions). You must meet the conditions (Traffic regulation conditions) until the change of registration takes effect.

You disagree with the conditions (Traffic regulation conditions)

You can ask for a public inquiry within 28 days if you disagree with the traffic commissioner’s (the traffic commissioner) decision.

It’s against the law to disobey traffic regulation conditions.

Penalties for poor service

Once you have registered your service you must run it:

at the times you’ve said it (your service) would run

along the route you’ve registered

Penalties

If you do not run a reliable or punctual service the traffic commissioner can stop you from running the service - or even running any services at all.

The traffic commissioner can also fine you. The size of the fine is based on the number of vehicles you’re licensed to use.

If you provide the local bus service in England and Wales, you may also have to:

spend money on providing or improving local services or facilities

compensate passengers

You can appeal to the Upper Tribunal if you disagree with the traffic commissioner’s (the traffic commissioner) decision.

Read more about the standards for local bus services and how traffic commissioners expect you to operate.

Register a bus service in London

To run a bus service in London you must have a London Service Permit. Permits last for 5 years and you must normally apply at least 3 months before starting the service.

You can apply for a shorter period of notice if Transport for London (TfL) agrees.

Concessionary fares

You may be eligible to take part in a concessionary fare scheme. This reimburses you for carrying passengers who get discounted travel, such as:

older people

disabled people

children

Contact your local council for more information on taking part.

Some councils offer a voluntary membership scheme for operators. Others have a compulsory scheme.

Find out more

Find out more about concessionary fare schemes for:

England

Scotland

Wales

Grants for local bus services

You might qualify for the Bus Service Operator’s Grant (in England or Scotland) or the Regional Transport Services Grant (in Wales) if you provide a service where:

at least half the seats are available to and regularly used by the general public

stops on the route are in places that people are likely to use reasonably often - fixed bus stops or otherwise

single journey fares are reasonably priced

fares can be paid conveniently

the bus does not have signs or any other indication that it’s not available to the general public

information about the service, its (the bus) route and timetable is accessible to the general public

advance bookings of flexible services do not deter people who want to make a single journey

There are slightly different conditions if your bus service is intended for transporting pupils, people with disabilities or elderly people.

Read more about the Bus Service Operator’s Grant (England and Scotland (England or Scotland)).

How to apply

Contact the helpline for your area.

England

Scotland

Wales

The grant is administered through the Regional Transport Consortia:


Provide driving tests for your employees

Who can provide driving tests

Driving tests are usually provided by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

You can apply to DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) for permission for your own staff to provide driving tests for your employees if you’re a:

bus or haulage operating licence holder

police service

fire and rescue service

Your staff providing driving tests will be known as ‘delegated driving examiners’.

Tests that can be provided

Delegated driving examiners are allowed to provide theory and practical driving tests for drivers of:

lorries

buses and coaches

cars and trailers

emergency service vehicles

Lorry, bus and coach companies

Delegated driving examiners working for lorry, bus and coach companies can test:

an employee

an employee of a sister company

As a delegated driving examiner, you cannot test someone you’ve trained.

Emergency services

Delegated driving examiners working for police services and fire and rescue services can test:

an employee

an employee from the same type of service in a different area

The same delegated driving examiner can provide tests for both a police service and a fire and rescue service, but both must appoint them with DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)).

Rules for your driving examiners

When deciding whether to give permission for someone to provide driving tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) looks at if they:

have a full driving licence for the type of vehicle they (someone)’re testing in

have had any convictions in the last 3 years

have been disqualified from driving

have any court proceedings pending against them (someone)

have any penalty points on their (someone) licence

Qualifying as a delegated driving examiner

Your employees must then:

complete an initial training course

reach an appropriate standard in the delegated driving examiner theory and practical tests

DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) will send you more information about the qualifying process when you apply to provide driving tests.

Apply to provide driving tests

You must email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to get permission to provide driving tests.

You cannot currently contact DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) by telephone or post because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You must include information about your organisation, the tests you want to provide, and the people you want to appoint as delegated driving examiners.

Your organisation

You’ll need to include:

the full name of the organisation (your organisation)

the registered address or headquarters address (if you’re not a registered company)

a copy of your certificate of incorporation if you’re a registered company

a copy of your operator licence (if you have one)

the name, position and contact details of the main contact in your organisation for driving tests

confirmation that you, as the person submitting the application, is an approved signatory for the purposes of the application

The tests you want to provide

You’ll need to include:

details of the locations at which testing would take place

the categories of tests you want to provide, for example, ‘category D - bus’

the type of tests you want to provide, for example, licence acquisition theory test, licence acquisition practical test and so on

details of where the records about the tests (The tests you want to provide) would be stored

an estimate of the minimum number of tests you’ll provide in the 12 months following your approval

You’ll need to include the full names and driving licence numbers of the people you want to appoint as delegated driving examiners (The people you want to appoint as examiners).

When DVSA gets your application (the application)

DVSA will tell you its (DVSA) decision about your application (the application) within 10 working days.

You’ll also get information about:

the qualifying process

the detailed rules about providing theory and practical driving tests

the detailed rules about recording tests that you provide

You can email DVSA if you need more information.


Becoming a speed limiter centre

Overview

A speed limiter centre installs or adjusts devices that limit how fast a vehicle can go.

Usually, only existing vehicle dealerships will become a speed limiter centre.

If you want to become a speed limiter centre, you’ll need to get either:

approval from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to become an independent centre

sponsored by a DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) approved vehicle or speed limiter maker

Independent centres

Fill in the application form and send it to DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)).

Inspections

DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) will inspect your premises, facilities and staff before approving your speed limiter centre.

Approval

You’ll receive an authorisation letter from DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) if your independent speed limiter centre is approved.

Sponsored centres

You’ll need to be a sponsored vehicle dealership to become a sponsored speed limiter centre.

Sponsors

Sponsors are DVSA-approved (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) makers or suppliers of either:

vehicles

speed limiters

Once approved, sponsors are able to approve vehicle dealerships they already work with that want to become speed limiter centres.

Get sponsored

Contact the sponsors of your vehicle dealership to ask them (sponsors) if you can become a sponsored speed limiter centre.

You can have more than 1 sponsor.

Inspections

Sponsors carry out regular checks on their approved agents equipment and also provide them with:

training

technical support

new equipment and software

Approval

You’ll receive an authorisation letter from your sponsor if they approve you as a sponsored speed limiter centre.


Approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test

Booking your test

You can book your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test when you’ve passed your ADI part 2 test.

It (your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test)’s the last of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI. It (your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test)’s a test of your ability to teach pupils.

Your driving examiner will call you a few days before your test to agree:

the start time with you

where you want the test (your test) to start from (either the driving test centre or somewhere within 5 minutes of the driving test centre)

The ADI part 3 test (your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test) works differently in Northern Ireland.

The national standard for driver and rider training tells you everything you must be able to do to pass the test (your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test).

You can find driving instructor training if you need help to prepare for the test (your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test).

What to take to your test (your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test)

You must bring:

your UK driving licence

a face covering, unless it’s not safe for you to wear one

a suitable car

a pupil

You should also bring a log of the training you’ve been doing to qualify as an approved driving instructor (ADI).

Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.

Reasons why you must not go to your test (your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test)

Do not go to your driving test if you or your pupil:

have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, or someone you live with has symptoms

have been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with a person who has COVID-19

are self-isolating because you recently entered the UK

Change your test appointment or cancel your test for free if you’re not able to go.

Wearing a face covering

You and your pupil must each bring and wear a face covering for your test, unless it’s not safe for you to do so. For example, because:

you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability

wearing it would cause you severe distress

You need to say if you cannot wear a face covering when you book your test. Otherwise, your test will be cancelled if you arrive without one.

You can take it (a face covering) off during your test if you need to avoid harm or injury.

Your driving licence

You need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours (Your driving licence) before your (Your driving licence) test. This could take up to 15 days to arrive.

If you do not have a photocard licence

Bring a valid passport and your paper licence, or your trainee driving instructor licence (if you have one).

If you have a licence from Northern Ireland

Bring the Northern Ireland photocard and paper counterpart.

Rules for the car you use

When you take your test, your car must:

be taxed

be insured for a driving test (check with your insurance company)

be roadworthy and have a current MOT (if it (your car)’s over 3 years old)

be a saloon, hatchback or estate car in good working condition - you cannot use a convertible

have full-size rear seats

have no warning lights showing, for example, the airbag warning light

have no tyre damage and the legal tread depth on each tyre - you cannot have a space-saver spare tyre fitted

be smoke-free - this means you cannot smoke in it (your car) just before or during the test

be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer

have 4 wheels and a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500 kg

The MAM is the limit on how much the car (your car) can weigh when it (your car)’s loaded. It’ll be in the car’s (your car) handbook.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if your car does not meet the rules.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety

Because of COVID-19 you must clean the inside of your car before your test.

This (clean) means:

tidying any unnecessary items away from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats

wiping down the dashboard and car controls

The examiner will do an additional clean of some surfaces.

The car you use for your test (your car) must have at least one window open on each side throughout the test. Any combination of windows can be opened - for example, one from the front and one from the back. Wear clothing suitable for the weather.

Vehicle fittings and features

The car (your car) must have:

L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear if your pupil is a learner

working rear seat belts

Dashcams and other cameras

You can use a camera fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it:

faces outside of the car (your car) and does not film the inside

does not record audio from inside the car (your car)

Vehicle features

You can use a car with:

an electronic parking brake

hill-start assist

Hire cars

You can take your test in a hire car if it’s fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules.

Manual and automatic cars

If you have a manual licence, you can take the test (your test) in either a manual or automatic car. You’ll be able to train people in both types of car when you’ve qualified.

If you have an automatic licence, you must take the test (your test) in an automatic car. You’ll only be able to train people in an automatic car when you’ve qualified.

Cars with known safety faults

You cannot use one of the cars shown in the table unless you have proof that it’s safe. This is because these cars have been recalled for a safety reason.

You must bring the proof that it’s safe with you when you take your test.

Model | Reason for recall | Vehicles affected | Recall issue date

Citroen C1 | Steering failure | Vehicles built between 9 Sep 2014 and 15 Oct 2014, with vehicle identification numbers (VINs) between wF7xxxxxxER516105 and VF7xxxxxxER523367 | 28 Jun 2016

Peugeot 108 | Steering failure | Vehicles built between 9 Jun 2014 and 15 Oct 2014, with VINs between VF3xxxxxxER256527 and F3xxxxxxER017078 | 28 Jun 2016

Toyota Aygo | Steering failure | Vehicles built between 9 Jun 2014 and 15 Oct 2014, with VINs between JTDJGNEC#0N022080 and 0N026438, JTDJPNEC#0N002099 and 0N002100, JTDKGNEC#0N022186 and 0N031372, and JTDKPNEC#0N002083 and 0N002102 | 28 Jun 2016

Toyota Yaris | Potentially defective seat rail track and/or steering column mounting | Some models built between Jun 2005 and May 2010 (‘05’ to ‘10’ registration plates) | 9 Apr 2014

Vauxhall ADAM | Potential steering problem | VINs with last 8 digits between E6077301 to E6113446, and F6000001 to F6006544 | 29 Sep 2014

Vauxhall Corsa D | Potential steering problem | VINs with last 8 digits between E6071016 and E6118738, and E4181031 and E4308122 | 29 Sep 2014

Proof you need to bring to your test

You must bring proof that says one of the following:

the car was recalled and the recall work has been done

the car was recalled but did not need any work to be done

the car was not part of the recall (recalled)

The proof must be either:

the recall letter or safety notice, stamped by the manufacturer or dealer

on official or headed notepaper from the manufacturer or a dealer

Your test will be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you do not bring the right proof.

What happens during the test

A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiner will watch you give a client-centred driving lesson lasting about 45 minutes to one of your pupils.

Your pupil must drive for at least 40 minutes of the lesson (a client-centred driving lesson lasting about 45 minutes).

At the start of the lesson (a client-centred driving lesson lasting about 45 minutes), discuss the goals for the lesson (a client-centred driving lesson lasting about 45 minutes) and risk management with your pupil. Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), this should take no more than 3 minutes.

At the end of the lesson (a client-centred driving lesson lasting about 45 minutes), give your pupil (one of your pupils) no more than 3 minutes to reflect on their (one of your pupils) performance.

The examiner (A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiner) will look for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training.

Your pupil

Your pupil can be a:

partly trained learner

fully trained learner

full licence holder

Your pupil (one of your pupils) cannot be:

a learner who has just started learning to drive

an approved driving instructor (ADI) or someone else who is preparing to take the ADI part 3 test

What you’ll be marked on

You’ll be marked on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories:

lesson planning

risk management

teaching and learning strategies

The 17 areas of competence are listed in the ADI part 3 test report form, which the examiner (A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiner) will fill in at the end of your test.

You’ll get a score from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies, which are added up to work out if you’ve passed the test, and what your grade will be.

Your test result

After you give the lesson (a client-centred driving lesson lasting about 45 minutes), the examiner (A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiner) will discuss your performance and give you your result (Your test result).

You’ll get your grade (Your test result), along with your completed approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test report form.

Total score | Grade | Description

0-30 | Fail | Your performance is unsatisfactory, and you will not join the ADI register

31-42 | Grade B | You’ll be allowed to join the ADI register

43-51 | Grade A | You have shown a high standard of instruction and you’ll be allowed to join the ADI register

You’ll automatically fail if:

you get a score of 7 or less in the ‘risk management’ category

the examiner (A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiner) stops the lesson because you’ve put yourself or someone else in danger

If you pass

You can apply for your first ADI badge if you pass the ADI part 3 test.

You must apply within 12 months of passing the test (the ADI part 3 test), or you’ll have to pass all 3 qualifying tests again.

If you do not pass

You can take the test again if you fail the first or second attempt. You must book the next attempt within 2 years of passing your ADI part 1 test.

If you chose the extra training option (option 2) when you applied for your trainee licence, you must do 5 hours of extra training before you retake the test (your ADI part 1 test).

Failing the third attempt

You have to retake and pass the ADI part 1 test and ADI part 2 test again if you fail the ADI part 3 test at your third attempt.

You must wait 2 years from when you originally passed the ADI part 1 test (your ADI part 1 test) before you can take it (your ADI part 1 test) again.

Appeal your ADI part 3 test (the ADI part 3 test)

You can appeal your test (the ADI part 3 test) if you can prove that your examiner did not follow the law.

Read the guidance on appealing your test to check if your examiner followed the law.

If you have proof they (your examiner) did not follow the law you can complain to the Driver and Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA)

If DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA)) agrees with your complaint, your test result cannot be changed but you might get a refund or a free retest.

If DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA)) does not agree with your complaint you may be able to appeal to a court instead.

Appeal your test to a court

You can appeal if you can prove that your examiner did not follow the law when they carried out your test.

Your test result cannot be changed, but you might get a refund or a free retest if your appeal is successful.

You might have to pay significant legal costs if your appeal is unsuccessful.

You’ll need to appeal within:

6 months of your test in England and Wales

21 days of your test in Scotland

Check if you can appeal.

If your test is cancelled or there's bad weather

Your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test can be cancelled or stopped because of bad weather, problems with your car, or for other reasons.

If your test is suspended due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

You’ll be sent a new date for your test if this happens. You can change the date if it’s not suitable.

You need to have passed a theory test in the last 2 years to take this test (Your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test). Your theory test certificate will not be extended.

Bad weather

Tests are not carried out in dangerous weather conditions, such as when the roads are icy or if there’s flooding, thick fog or high winds.

Call your test centre if there are any of these conditions on the day of your test.

The phone number for the test centre (your test centre) is on your booking confirmation email.

If your test cannot go ahead

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will:

automatically book the next available date for your test (a new date for your test)

send you the details within 3 working days - it can take up to 7 days if there’s a long period of bad weather

You can change the date you’re given (a new date for your test) if it (a new date for your test)’s not suitable.

You cannot claim for any out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled because of bad weather.

Problems with you or your car

You’ll have to book another test and pay again if your test cannot be completed because of a problem with:

you, for example, if you feel unwell while taking your test

your car, for example, if it breaks down during the test (your test) or does not meet the rules to be used

If your test is cancelled for another reason

Sometimes DVSA (The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) has to cancel tests for other reasons, for example, if the examiner is unwell.

You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if DVSA (The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) cancels your test at short notice.


Become a DVSA assessed CBT motorcycle instructor

Overview

You can apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to become a DVSA assessed compulsory basic training (CBT) motorcycle instructor.

CBT (compulsory basic training (CBT)) is a training course that most learner motorcycle and moped riders must take before riding on the road.

Rules for becoming a CBT instructor

To become a DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) assessed CBT motorcycle instructor you must have a driving licence from either:

Great Britain or Northern Ireland

the EU or EEA - but you must register it
 first

You must also:

be 21 or older

have had a full category A2 or A motorcycle licence for at least 3 years

You’ll have to take a 2-day assessment at a DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) training and development centre.

When you qualify

When you pass you must work for a motorcycle approved training body (ATB) to be able to:

provide the CBT course to learner riders

train up to 10 instructors at the ATB (a motorcycle approved training body (ATB)) to also deliver CBT courses (this is known as ‘down-training’)

apply to become a direct access scheme instructor

How to book your assessment

Fill in the application form to book an assessment and send it to the address on the form. There’s no charge for the assessment.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will contact you to arrange a date after checking your application.

If you cannot go to your assessment

Tell DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) by email if you cannot attend your assessment.

You must give at least 5 working days’ notice - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays do not count as working days.

Your approved training body cannot tell DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) without giving your signature.

Your application will become invalid and will count as an unsuccessful attempt if you do not tell DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) in enough time.

You’re only allowed 2 unsuccessful attempts before you have to wait a year before applying to take another assessment.

Preparing for the assessment (your assessment)

Study the compulsory basic training (CBT) syllabus before you take the assessment (your assessment).

Other preparation

You should also study the following official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publications:

The Highway Code

Know your traffic signs

Learning to Ride

Riding - the Essential Skills

Theory Test for Motorcyclists

You can buy them from most high street and online book shops.

What to bring to your assessment

You need to bring:

your valid driving licence

your CBT1 card if you have one

a fully taxed, insured and roadworthy motorcycle with a power output of at least 20kW

If you have an EU or EEA licence, you must also bring confirmation of your Great Britain (GB) driver number. You need to register your licence to get a GB driver number.

Your assessment will be cancelled if you do not bring these.

You’re allowed to bring a pen and any notes or training aids to help you.

What the assessment (your assessment) involves

The compulsory basic training (CBT) instructor assessment (your assessment) assesses your ability to:

train learner motorcyclists in the requirements of CBT

train and guide other instructors within an approved training body

There will usually be 2 other instructors taking the assessment (your assessment) at the same time as you.

The DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) assessor will play the role of a novice rider throughout the assessment (your assessment).

You’ll be asked to deliver lessons based on the topics being assessed. One or both of the other instructors will act as your supervisor. You’ll then swap the roles of the instructor and supervisor.

Eyesight test

You’ll have to pass an eyesight test before the assessment (your assessment) starts. You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate

27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, for example AB51 ABC.

The rest of the assessment (your assessment) will not go ahead if you fail the eyesight test (an eyesight test).

Session 1

This session focuses on element A of the CBT syllabus - introduction to CBT.

The DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) assessor will give you an overview of the assessment (your assessment).

You’ll then deliver a lesson on the modules within element A of the CBT syllabus. You’re allowed to use notes and training aids. The other candidates will watch your instruction and decide whether it’s valid and achieves the objective.

Session 2

This session focuses on element B of the CBT syllabus - practical on-site training.

You’ll be introduced to the motorcycle that will be used on-site. You should familiarise yourself with it so you can give a controls lesson or basic machine check lesson.

The ‘novice rider’ will act on the instruction you give. The other candidates will watch the instruction you give (your instruction) and decide whether it (your instruction)’s a valid lesson and achieves the objective.

Sessions 3 and 4

These sessions (Sessions 3 and 4) focus on element C of the CBT syllabus - practical on-site riding.

You’ll instruct the ‘novice rider’. The other candidates give a debrief at the end of each lesson.

The roles will be changed several times so you can prove your ability as an instructor and supervisor.

Session 5

This session focuses on element D of the CBT syllabus - practical on-road training.

You’ll give a lesson made up of 3 modules from element D. The other candidates will supervise you, and then the roles will be swapped.

Sessions 6 and 7

These sessions (Sessions 3 and 4) focus on element E of the CBT syllabus - practical on-road riding.

You’ll ride a motorcycle and follow the ‘novice rider’ on the road. You’ll have to:

give instructions

correct any faults that they (instructions) make

direct them (instructions) over a route on public roads using radio equipment

You’ll need to use your own motorcycle for sessions 6 and 7 (Sessions 3 and 4).

Your assessment result

You’ll be given your result (Your assessment result) and a debrief at the end of the assessment by the assessor. You’ll be sent confirmation of your result (Your assessment result) by post.

Passing the assessment

You’ll be sent more information about how to apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for registration as a DVSA assessed instructor.

Until you’ve got your registration certificate you are not allowed to:

conduct compulsory basic training (CBT) courses

train any instructors on behalf of your approved training body (ATB)

Failing the assessment

You cannot apply to retake the assessment if you fail it (the assessment) twice within a 12-month period. You’ll have to wait until 1 year after the date of the second assessment before applying again.

Failing if you’re a down-trained instructor

You can continue to give CBT training if you’re a down-trained instructor, but you’ll have to have a standards check at your ATB (your approved training body (ATB) in the near future.


Set up and run a motorcycle approved training body (ATB)

Overview

You must be an approved training body (ATB) with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to provide:

compulsory basic training (CBT) for learner motorcyclists

direct access scheme (DAS) training to riders learning to ride a large motorcycle

CBT and DAS training must be given by instructors certified by DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) working for your approved training body.

The sites you use to provide training from must also be approved by DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)).

The process is different Northern Ireland.

Rules for being an ATB

You must meet certain rules to be an approved training body (ATB) (an ATB).

‘Fit and proper’

You must be a ‘fit and proper’ person to run the ATB (your approved training body).

When deciding if you’re a ‘fit and proper’ person, DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) will look at if you have:

had any convictions in the last 4 years

any motoring convictions

been disqualified from driving

any penalty points on your licence

any court proceedings pending against you

Training

You must provide compulsory basic training (CBT) as an ATB (your approved training body). Any CBT and direct access scheme (DAS) courses you provide must meet the legal requirements.

The CBT syllabus and guidance notes gives full details on what must be provided.

An instructor is only allowed to supervise up to 2 trainees during on-road tuition.

Your instructors must be in radio contact with all trainees at all times during on-road tuition.

Training sites

You must have the use of a suitable site or sites for training in the off-road parts of the CBT course.

These sites (Training sites) must be authorised by DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) before they (Training sites)’re used.

Instructors

You must make sure that all your instructors have a valid instructor certificate for the type of training they give. This must show the name of your ATB (your approved training body).

At least 1 of your instructors must have successfully completed DVSA’s (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) assessment course for motorcycle training.

DVSA-assessed instructors are allowed to train other people that you want to appoint as instructors - this is known as ‘down-training’.

You should have at least 1 DVSA-assessed instructor for every 10 instructors that have been down-trained.

Monitoring

You should send all required information about the courses you provide to DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) including:

reporting any incidents

dates when you’re providing CBT courses

the CBT certificates of completion you issue

The ATB manual gives more details about what you have to send.

Apply to become an ATB

To apply to register an approved training body (ATB), download these 3 application forms, and send them to DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)):

‘Application to provide compulsory basic training (CBT) courses’

‘Compulsory basic training (CBT) site application form’

‘Application to be authorised as a certified motorcycle instructor’

It takes up to 8 weeks to process an application. This includes the time to inspect the site to be used for the off-road elements of compulsory basic training.

Apply for CBT site authorisation

All the sites you intend to use for the practical training and riding elements of the compulsory basic training (CBT) course must be authorised by DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)).

You can’t use a site until you’ve got authorisation from DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)).

Download the compulsory basic training site application form to apply for authorisation.

Send the completed form to DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)). You’ll also need to include a draft plan of the intended site, eg an annotated satellite image.

Site inspection

DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) will:

inspect the site

send a site report to you

send a unique site code to you if the site is suitable

The site report (a site report) will explain any rules set by DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)). This will include how many trainees are allowed on the site.

You should make sure all your instructors are aware of these details.

Changes to authorised sites

You must tell DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) straight away if a site is altered or added to.

Download the compulsory basic training site application form (Compulsory basic training (CBT) site application form) and send it (Compulsory basic training (CBT) site application form) to DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)).

You’ll also need to include:

a draft plan showing any changes to the original authorised site

a permission letter signed by the site owner

The site’s authorisation can be removed if it (the site) has become unsuitable.

Stopping using a site

You must tell DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) straight away if you stop using a site for CBT.

You can email DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) - you’ll need to include your approved training body number and the site’s (a site) unique code.

Providing the CBT course (the compulsory basic training (CBT) course)

The compulsory basic training (CBT) course is made up of 5 parts.

The course syllabus and the order in which the parts (5 parts) must be delivered is set out in law.

CBT certificate of completion

You must give trainees a CBT certificate of completion (DL196) (CBT certificate of completion) when they reach the required standard.

The certificate (CBT certificate of completion) must be completed and signed by the instructor, usually the one who conducted part E of the CBT course (the compulsory basic training (CBT) course).

The name and address of your approved training body (ATB) should be included on the certificate (CBT certificate of completion).

Ordering DL196 certificates

You can buy books of DL196 certificates online from DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)).

Each book contains 25 certificates and costs £200.

How your ATB is monitored

DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) monitors the standard of instruction given by:

approved training bodies (ATBs)

instructors delivering compulsory basic training (CBT) courses

You must make your instructors available for regular standards checks.

You should tell your local DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) CBT manager the dates and times when your ATB will be running CBT courses.

After an assessment

You’ll get a letter of confirmation and report from DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) after an assessment visit if the training delivered meets the required standard.

DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) can conduct more assessments if:

the training (the training delivered) falls short of the required standard

there are breaches of regulations

there are reports of failure to follow the conditions of appointment

DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) will consider withdrawing an instructor’s authority to deliver courses if they fail to achieve the required standard during the subsequent assessments.

DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) can withdraw your ATB’s authorisation to deliver training courses if assessments show that it (your ATB) doesn’t consistently provide full and proper CBT courses.

Disagreeing with DVSA’s (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) decision

You can appeal to DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) if you or an instructor disagrees with DVSA’s (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) decision to withdraw their authority.

Documents for ATBs

DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) produces the following documents for approved training bodies (ATBs).

ATB manual

The ATB manual gives more details about the rules and processes you should follow when you’re running an ATB.

Safe and Responsible Riding

The ‘National standard for riding mopeds and motorcycles’ sets out the skills, knowledge and understanding that learners need to prove they’re safe and responsible riders.

The CBT syllabus and guidance notes (Compulsory basic training (CBT) syllabus and guidance notes) sets out what trainers need to do and what learners need to understand when taking the course.

Direct access scheme (DAS) motorcycle training guidance

The DAS motorcycle training guidance (Direct access scheme (DAS) motorcycle training guidance) sets out what trainers need to do and what learners need to understand when taking the course.

Changes to the CBT syllabus and guidance notes

You can keep up to date with new versions if you sign up for DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) email alerts.


Become an apprentice

How apprenticeships work

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you’ll:

be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay

work alongside experienced staff

gain job-specific skills

get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours)

Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Levels of apprenticeship

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.

| Level | Equivalent educational level

Intermediate | 2 | GCSE

Advanced | 3 | A level

Higher | 4,5,6 and 7 | Foundation degree and above

Degree | 6 and 7 | Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.

Who can start an apprenticeship

To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:

16 or over

living in England

not in full-time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

If you need more experience

If you feel you’re not ready for an apprenticeship, a traineeship is a course designed to prepare you for one.

Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Different organisations deal with apprenticeships in:

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

What you'll get

As an apprentice, you’ll get:

paid and be entitled to the National Minimum Wage

time for training or study as part of your apprenticeship

holiday pay and other employee rights

Apprentice pay and the National Minimum Wage

There are different rates of pay for apprentices depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you’re in.

Your employment contract should confirm your rate of pay.

Aged 16 to 18

The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £4.30 per hour.

Aged 19 or over and in your first year

Aged 19 or over and have completed your first year

You’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for your age.

Check you’re being paid the minimum wage (the National Minimum Wage) with the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage calculator.

Time apprentices are paid for

You must be paid for:

your normal working hours

training that’s part of your apprenticeship (at least 20% of your normal working hours)

study towards English and maths qualifications, if they’re part of your apprenticeship

Your normal working hours should be in your employment contract (this might be your apprenticeship agreement).

There are rules about how many hours you can work in a week and being paid overtime.

If you’re studying for English and maths qualifications which are part of your apprenticeship, your employer should allow you time to study during your normal working hours.

Training

As an apprentice, at least 20% of your normal working hours must be spent on training.

Your training (training) might happen every week, every month or in a separate block of time.

The training (training) might take place:

at your place of work

somewhere else like at a college or training provider

online

Your training provider will be able to tell you when and where your training will be.

Holidays

You’ll get at least 20 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

Use the holiday calculator to check holiday entitlement for apprentices.

If you’ve been in local authority care

If you’re under 25 when you start your apprenticeship and have previously been in local authority care, you may be eligible for a bursary payment.

Ask your training provider for more information about what you’ll get, if you’re eligible and how to apply.

Help and advice

Your school, college or training provider may be able to give you advice about apprenticeships.

Contact Acas for free and confidential advice on your rights at work.

Contact the Support Service for Apprentices for mental health support and advice.

Apply for an apprenticeship

There are 3 steps to applying for an apprenticeship.

Search for an apprenticeship.

Sign in or create an account.

Complete and submit your application.

The National Careers Service has advice on writing applications and what to do at interviews.

If you’re applying again because you were made redundant from your last apprenticeship, call the Apprenticeship helpline. You can also talk to your training provider.

If you’re unsuccessful

You can ask for feedback if you do not get selected for an interview or for the apprenticeship.

You can complain if you think you were not successful because you were discriminated against, or your treatment in the interview or application process was unfair.


Learner Support

Overview

If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Learner Support.

You apply to your learning provider (for example your college) for Learner Support. How much you get depends on your circumstances.

The money can help pay for things like:

accommodation and travel

course materials and equipment

childcare - if you qualify

What you'll get

Your learning provider (for example, a college) decides how much you get. It depends on their scheme and your circumstances.

How the money is paid

The money could be:

a direct payment to you - which you don’t have to pay back

a loan - which you have to pay back

paid to someone else, for example a landlord

Your learning provider (Your learning provider (for example, a college)) decides how the money is paid to you. It depends on their (Your learning provider (for example, a college)) scheme and what the money is for.

Check with the student support staff at your college or the National Careers Service about other funding you could get.

Eligibility

To get Learner Support you must be:

19 or over

studying at a learning provider funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (check with your college)

You must be 20 or over to get help with childcare costs. If you’re 19, apply for Care to Learn instead.

You can apply even if you get other types of funding, for example:

Professional and Career Development Loans

Care to Learn

Disability Living Allowance

Who can’t apply

You can’t claim if you’re:

getting student finance for higher education

on a Community Learning course

How to claim

Apply directly to your learning provider (for example, a college) - they each have their own application process.

Speak to your student support services to:

get help applying

find out what’s available

Appeal a decision

If you’re not happy with the decision about your Learner Support, contact your learning provider to appeal it.


Adult Dependants' Grant

Overview

If you’re a full-time student in higher education and an adult depends on you financially, you can apply for an Adult Dependants’ Grant of up to:

£3,190 for the 2021 to 2022 academic year

£3,094 for the 2020 to 2021 academic year

The grant:

does not have to be paid back

is paid on top of your other student finance

You cannot get an Adult Dependants’ Grant if you’re getting a Postgraduate Loan.

What you'll get

The maximum Adult Dependants’ Grant is:

You do not have to pay this money (The maximum Adult Dependants’ Grant) back.

Adult Dependants’ Grant will affect any income-related benefits and tax credits you might get.

What it (Adult Dependants’ Grant)’s based on

The amount you get depends on:

your income

the adult dependant’s income

your personal circumstances, for example if you’re married or have children

what other grants you’re receiving, for example Childcare Grant

How you’re paid

The money is paid in 3 instalments (one at the start of each term) directly into your bank account.

Eligibility

Usually the adult dependant (an adult) will be:

your husband, wife, partner or civil partner

a relative, such as a parent or grandparent

If you’re under 25, the adult dependant (an adult) cannot be your partner unless you’re married or in a civil partnership.

You’re not eligible if the adult dependant (an adult) is:

your child

a relative who earns more than £3,796 a year

getting student finance

How to apply

Fill in the Adult Dependants’ Grant section on your main student finance application  - you’ll need to give estimates of your household income.

Student Finance England will assess your application and contact you if they need more information.

Student Finance England will send you a letter telling you if you qualify and how much money you’ll get.

Supporting information

Student Finance England may contact you and ask for further information on your financial circumstances. This can include a copy of:

your P60

Child Benefit details

family tax credits details

financial information from your partner, for example bank statements


Repaying your student loan

Overview

You need to pay back:

Tuition Fee Loans

Maintenance Loans

Postgraduate Loans

You do not need to pay back other student finance, for example grants and bursaries, unless you’ve been paid too much.

You still have to repay your student loan if you leave your course early.

When you start repaying your loan and how much you pay depends on which repayment plan you’re on.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

How to repay

How you repay your loan depends on whether you’re employed or self-employed.

You can make extra repayments in your online repayment account and by card, bank transfer or cheque.

Keep your payslips and P60 for your records - you’ll need them if you want to get a refund.

Sign in

Sign in to your student loan repayment account if you already have one.

Repaying during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Read the guidance about repaying your student loan for more information on:

changes in your income

refunds

interest on your loan balance

Which repayment plan you're on

When you start repaying your loan and how much you repay depends on your repayment plan.

There are 4 plans:

Plan 1

Plan 2

Plan 4

Postgraduate Loan

You cannot choose the repayment plan you’re on. If you have more than one loan, they could be on different plans.

Plan 1

You’re on Plan 1 if you’re:

an English or Welsh (Welsh (Cymraeg)) student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK before 1 September 2012

a Northern Irish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 1998

an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 1998, but before 1 September 2012

an EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Northern Ireland on or after 1 September 1998

Plan 2

You’re on Plan 2 if you’re:

an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 2012

an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 2012

someone who took out an Advanced Learner Loan on or after 1 August 2013

Plan 4

You’re on Plan 4 if you’re:

a Scottish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 1998

an EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Scotland on or after 1 September 1998

Postgraduate Loan

You’re on a Postgraduate Loan repayment plan if you’re:

an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Master’s Loan on or after 1 August 2016

an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan on or after 1 August 2018

an EU student who started a postgraduate course on or after 1 August 2016

When you start repaying

You’ll only repay your student loan when your income is over the threshold amount for your repayment plan. The threshold amounts change on 6 April every year.

The earliest you’ll start repaying is either:

the April after you leave your course

the April 4 years after the course (your course) started, if you’re studying part-time

Your repayments automatically stop if either:

you stop working

your income goes below the threshold (the threshold amount for your repayment plan)

If you have a Plan 1 student loan

You’ll only repay when your income is over £382 a week, £1,657 a month or £19,895 a year (before tax and other deductions).

If you have a Plan 2 student loan

You’ll only repay when your income is over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year (before tax and other deductions).

If you have a Plan 4 student loan

You’ll only repay when your income is over £480 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year (before tax and other deductions).

If you’re on a Postgraduate Loan repayment plan

If you took out a Master’s Loan or a Doctoral Loan, you’ll only repay when your income is over £403 a week, £1,750 a month or £21,000 a year (before tax and other deductions).

Early repayments

There’s no penalty for paying some or all of your loan off early.

How much you repay

How much you repay depends on which plan you’re on.

Each plan has a threshold for your weekly or monthly income. You repay:

9% of the amount you earn over the threshold for plans 1, 2 and 4

6% of the amount you earn over the threshold for the Postgraduate Loan (the threshold amount for your repayment plan)

You do not pay anything back if your income is under the threshold (the threshold amount for your repayment plan).

Interest starts being added to your loan from when you get your first payment.

Plan 1

The thresholds are £382 a week or £1,657 a month (before tax and other deductions).

Interest on Plan 1

You currently pay interest of 1.1% on Plan 1. You can find out how the interest is calculated and interest rates for previous years.

Plan 2

The thresholds are £524 a week or £2,274 a month (before tax and other deductions). They (The thresholds) change on 6 April every year.

Interest on Plan 2

While you’re studying, interest is 5.6%.

This (interest) is made up of the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 3%. RPI is currently set at 2.6%.

This rate (interest) applies until the 5 April after you finish or leave your course, or for the first 4 years of your course if you’re studying part-time, unless the RPI (the Retail Price Index (RPI)) changes.

After that, your interest rate depends on your income in the current tax year.

If you’re self-employed, your income is the total income amount on your Self-Assessment form.

If you’re an employee, your income is your taxable pay:

plus any pension contributions

minus any benefits you get from your employer that are taxed through payroll (ask your employer if you’re not sure)

If you have more than one job in a year, your interest rate will be based on your combined income from all your jobs.

Your annual income | Interest rate

£27,295 or less | RPI (currently 2.6%)

£27,296 to £49,130 | RPI (currently 2.6%), plus up to 3%

Over £49,130 | RPI (currently 2.6%), plus 3%

You must keep your contact details up to date in your online account and give the Student Loans Company (SLC) evidence if they ask for it. If you do not, you may be charged the higher interest rate even if your income is lower.

You can find out how the interest is calculated and interest rates for previous years.

If you have Plan 1 and Plan 2 loans

You pay back 9% of your income over the Plan 1 threshold (£382 a week or £1,657 a month).

If your income is under the Plan 2 threshold (£524 a week or £2,274 a month), your repayments only go towards your Plan 1 loan.

If your income is over the Plan 2 threshold, your repayments go towards both your loans.

Plan 4

The thresholds are £480 a week or £2,083 a month (before tax and other deductions).

Interest on Plan 4

You currently pay interest of 1.1% on Plan 4. You can find out how the interest is calculated and interest rates for previous years.

If you have a Plan 4 loan and a Plan 1 loan

If your income is under the Plan 4 threshold (£480 a week or £2,083 a month), your repayments only go towards your Plan 1 loan.

If your income is over the Plan 4 threshold (the Plan 2 threshold), your repayments go towards both your loans.

If you have a Plan 4 loan and a Plan 2 loan

You pay back 9% of your income over the Plan 4 threshold (£480 a week or £2,083 a month).

If your income is under the Plan 2 threshold (£524 a week or £2,274 a month), your repayments only go towards your Plan 4 loan.

Postgraduate Loan

The thresholds are £403 a week or £1,750 a month (before tax and other deductions).

Interest on Postgraduate Loan

You currently pay interest of 5.6% on Postgraduate Loans.

The interest (interest of 5.6%) is made up of the Retail Price Index (RPI), plus 3%. RPI is currently set at 2.6%.

You can find out how the interest (interest of 5.6%) is calculated and interest rates for previous years.

If you have a Postgraduate Loan and a Plan 1, Plan 2 or Plan 4 loan

You pay back 6% of your income over the Postgraduate Loan threshold (£403 a week or £1,750 a month). In addition, you’ll pay back 9% of your income over the Plan 1, Plan 2 or Plan 4 threshold.

If your income changes during the year

You can ask for a refund if you make repayments but your total annual income (from 6 April to 5 April the following year) is less than:

£19,895 a year for Plan 1

£27,295 a year for Plan 2

£25,000 a year for Plan 4

£21,000 for Postgraduate Loans

If you have 2 or more jobs

If you’re employed, your repayments will be taken out of your salary. The repayments will be from the jobs where you earn over the minimum amount, not your combined income.

If you need to send a Self Assessment tax return

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will work out how much you repay from your tax return. Your repayments are based on your income for the whole year. If you’ve already made repayments from a salary, HMRC will deduct them from the amount you have to repay.

How to repay

Your repayments will be taken out of your salary at the same time as tax and National Insurance if you’re an employee. Your payslips will show how much has been deducted. You may need to tell your employer which repayment plan you’re on.

You start repaying when your income is more than the minimum amount.

There’s no penalty if you make extra repayments to pay some or all of your loan off early.

If you’re self-employed

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will work out how much you pay from your tax return. You pay at the same time as you pay your tax.

If you’re an employee and you do a tax return

If you earn over the minimum amount, your employer will deduct loan repayments from your salary.

Check your payslips or P60 to see how much of your loan you’ve paid off during the tax year. You’ll need to include this information when you fill in your tax return.

The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year.

If you leave the UK for more than 3 months

You will need to tell the Student Loans Company (SLC). They will work out if you have to repay while you’re not in the UK and if so, how much you need to pay.

The rules for repayment are the same as in the UK, apart from different repayment thresholds for each country.

If you’re abroad, your repayment amounts are based on:

the minimum amount under Plan 1 for that country

the minimum amount under Plan 2 for that country

the minimum amount under Plan 4 for that country

the minimum amount under the Postgraduate Loan plan for that country

Once SLC (the Student Loans Company (SLC)) have told you how much you need to repay, you can make repayments:

through your online account

by International Bank Transfer (IBAN)

Online account

Sign in to your online account to:

make a repayment using an international debit card

set up a direct debit

You can also use your online account to update your contact details and make extra repayments.

International Bank Transfer

To transfer money from a non-UK bank account, use the following details:

IBAN (International Bank Transfer): GB37NWBK60708010027254
SWIFT: NWBKGB2L
NatWest Government Banking Team
NatWest Customer Service Centre
Brampton Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0QX

Use one of these as your reference:

customer reference number

grant reference number (if it’s for a grant repayment)

Checking your repayments

You can check your repayments and balance in your:

annual statements from SLC (the Student Loans Company (SLC))

online account

If your contact details change, you must update them (your contact details) in your online account.

Avoid paying more than you owe

If you have nearly repaid your loan, you may be able to make your final repayments by direct debit instead of from your salary.

This (make) makes sure your employer will not accidentally take more than you owe.

SLC (the Student Loans Company (SLC)) will contact you in the final year of your loan repayments to let you know how to set up a direct debit.

Keep your contact details up to date.

Make extra repayments

You can choose to make extra repayments towards your student loan. These are in addition to the repayments you must make when your income is over the threshold amount for your repayment plan.

You should only make extra repayments if you think you can pay off the full balance before the loan term ends. This is because your loan (your student loan) will be written off at the end of the term.

There’s no penalty if you make extra repayments but they are not refundable.

Speak to a financial adviser if you’re unsure whether you should make extra repayments or not.

If you decide to make an extra repayment, you can choose how it is applied to your loan. For example, you can use it to reduce the total balance of your loan or to reduce the balance of a specific plan (if you have more than one plan).

If you do not choose how the repayment (an extra repayment) is applied, the Student Loans Company (SLC) will decide how it (an extra repayment)’s applied for you.

If you’re a full time student from Wales, you may be able to get £1,500 of your Maintenance Loan written off.

Make a repayment without signing into an account

You can make a card repayment towards your loan or someone else’s without signing into an online account.

You need the person’s surname and customer reference number.

Make extra repayments from the UK

You can make extra repayments:

through your online account

by bank transfer

by cheque

Online account

Sign in to your online account to:

make a repayment using a debit card

set up a direct debit

Bank transfer

To make a bank transfer or set-up a standing order from a UK bank account you must use the following bank details:

Account name: Student Loans Company
Sort code: 60 70 80
Account number: 10027254

Use one of these (the following bank details) as your reference:

customer reference number

grant reference number (if it’s for a grant repayment)

Cheque

To pay by cheque make your cheque payable to Student Loans Company Ltd (Student Loans Company) and write the customer reference number on the back.

It is taking longer than usual to process cheques because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Your cheque will be backdated and you will not build up additional interest because of the delay.

Make extra repayments from overseas

You can make extra repayments:

through your online account

by International Bank Transfer (IBAN)

Online account

Sign in to your online account to:

make a repayment using an international debit card

set up a direct debit

International Bank Transfer

To transfer money from a non-UK bank account, use the following details:

IBAN: GB37NWBK60708010027254
SWIFT: NWBKGB2L
NatWest Government Banking Team
NatWest Customer Service Centre
Brampton Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0QX

customer reference number

Pay your loan off in full

Call or contact SLC on social media to find out:

the total amount you owe (this is called the ‘settlement amount’)

the date you need to pay by (this is called the ‘settlement date’)

You’ll need your latest payslip if you’re employed.

Once you know the total you owe, you can pay by debit card over the phone, bank transfer or cheque.

If you do not pay the settlement amount by the settlement date, you’ll need to contact SLC again. This is because the amount you owe (the total you owe) might have changed. You’ll only need to provide any recent payslips or calculations since you last called.

Getting a refund

You can ask for a refund if:

you’ve paid more than the total amount you owe

your annual income was below the threshold

you started making repayments before you needed to

You cannot get a refund for extra repayments.

If you pay back more than you owe

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will tell your employer to stop taking repayments from your salary when you have repaid your loan in full. It can take around 4 weeks for salary deductions to stop.

This means you may pay back more than you owe.

You can avoid paying more than you owe by changing your payments to direct debit in the final year of your repayments. Keep your contact details up to date so SLC can let you know how to set this up.

If you have paid too much the Student Loans Company (SLC) (SLC) will try to:

contact you to tell you how to get a refund

refund you automatically (this will appear in your bank account as ‘SLC Receipts’)

You can check your loan balance in your online account.

If you’ve overpaid and have not heard from SLC you can ask them (SLC) for a refund.

If your annual income was below the threshold

You can ask for a refund if you made repayments but your income over the whole tax year (6 April to 5 April the following year) was less than:

£19,895 a year for Plan 1

£27,295 a year for Plan 2

£25,000 a year for Plan 4

£21,000 a year for Postgraduate Loan

If your annual salary is less than this, your employer may still deduct repayments - for example if you get paid a bonus or overtime.

If you’re repaying a Plan 1, Plan 2 and Plan 4 loan, you can only get a refund if your income was less than £19,895.

You can check previous thresholds if you ask about a refund on repayments made before this tax year.

If you started repaying before you needed to

If a deduction is taken from your salary before you’re due to start repaying, you can ask for a refund.

How to ask for a refund

Call or contact SLC on social media with your customer reference number.

You can contact SLC by post.

When your student loan gets written off or cancelled

When your student loan gets written off depends on which repayment plan you’re on.

When Plan 1 loans get written off

When your Plan 1 loan gets written off depends on when you took out the loan.

Academic year you took out the loan | When the loan’s written off

2005 to 2006, or earlier | When you’re 65

2006 to 2007, or later | 25 years after the April you were first due to repay

When Plan 2 loans get written off

Plan 2 loans are written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.

When Plan 4 loans get written off

2006 to 2007, or earlier | When you’re 65, or 30 years after the April you were first due to repay - whichever comes first

2007 to 2008, or later | 30 years after the April you were first due to repay

When Postgraduate Loans get written off

If you’re a student from England or Wales, your Postgraduate Loan will be written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.

If you’re a postgraduate student from Northern Ireland, you’re on Plan 1.

If you’re a postgraduate student from Scotland, you’re on Plan 4.

If someone with a student loan dies

The Student Loans Company (SLC) will cancel the person’s (someone with a student loan) student loan.

You need to let SLC (The Student Loans Company (SLC)) know that the person (someone with a student loan) has died and provide evidence (for example an original death certificate), as well as the person’s (someone with a student loan) Customer Reference Number.

If you can no longer work because of illness or disability

SLC (The Student Loans Company (SLC)) may be able to cancel your loan if you claim certain disability benefits. You’ll need to provide evidence (for example a letter from the benefits agency) and your Customer Reference Number.

Update your employment details

You need to update your details if you:

leave the UK for more than 3 months

start a new job or become self-employed

stop working

get a letter or email from the Student Loans Company (SLC) asking you to update your employment details

SLC (The Student Loans Company (SLC)) use these details (your employment details) to work out if you should be repaying your loan.

You might get a higher interest rate if you do not update your details (your employment details).

Start now


Student finance: how to apply

How to apply

How you apply depends on whether you have studied before and your nationality.

New students from England

Most full-time and part-time students can apply online to Student Finance England.

Set up a student finance online account.

Log in and complete the online application.

Include your household income if needed. Your parent or partner will be asked to confirm these details.

Send in proof of identity, if needed.

If you cannot apply online, use the form finder to get the forms you need. You can call Student Finance England if you want to apply online but you cannot use a computer without help.

Continuing students from England

You’re a continuing student if you are:

moving on to the next year of your course

repeating a year of the same course or returning to a course after taking time out

transferring onto a new course from your old course (a course)

You should log in to your student finance account and apply online.

If you’re returning to study after taking time out for personal reasons

There’s a different process if you have studied for more than one year before and you’re going back to your studies after stopping your course because of personal reasons. This could be for things like if you were ill, pregnant, caring for someone or someone close to you died.

You must also send a letter explaining why you suspended your studies with supporting evidence.

The letter must include:

your customer reference number for student finance (Student Finance England)

an explanation of your situation and why you had to suspend your studies

Supporting evidence can include:

a letter from your doctor or social services on headed paper

a letter from your university or college on headed paper

copies of birth or death certificates

You might need to send more than one piece of evidence if it helps you to show why you stopped your course.

Use your online account (your student finance account) to send the letter and evidence to Student Finance England, or send it by post.

Student Finance England will send you a letter confirming how much you’ll get, usually within 8 weeks.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

There’s a different process for students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

New EU students

If you’re applying for tuition fee support and help with living costs, apply online.

If you’re applying for tuition fee support only, apply by post.

You’ll get a letter confirming how much you’ll get, usually within 6 weeks.

Continuing EU students

If you’re applying for tuition fee support only, you’ll be sent application forms to fill in and return by post. Check your address is up to date in your student finance account.

When to apply

You can apply for the following academic years:

2021 to 2022 (part-time students can apply from summer 2021)

2020 to 2021

You can still apply for funding up to 9 months after the first day of the academic year for your course.

Course start date | Apply by

Between 1 August and 31 December | 31 May after your course started

Between 1 January and 31 March | 30 September after your course started

Between 1 April and 30 June | 31 December after your course started

Between 1 July and 31 July | 31 March after your course started

You do not need a confirmed place to apply.

EU students

If you’re an EU student applying for 2021 to 2022, when and how you apply depends on the type of support you want.

Full-time students

If you’re applying for tuition fee support and help with living costs, you can apply online now.

If you’re applying for tuition fee support only, you can apply by post now.

Part-time students

If you’re applying for tuition fee support and help with living costs, you can apply online from summer 2021.

If you’re applying for tuition fee support only, you can apply by post from summer 2021.

Proof of identity

Students from England

Include your valid UK passport details in your application the first time you apply. Fill in the passport details form - do not send the passport itself.

Academic year | Form

2021 to 2022 | UK passport details form 2021 to 2022 (PDF, 49KB)

2020 to 2021 | UK passport details form 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 41KB)

If you do not have a UK passport (or it has expired), send your original birth or adoption certificate to Student Finance England.

Include your name and address. You should also include your customer reference number if you have one. This is an 11-digit number. You can find it on letters or emails you’ve had from Student Finance England.

EU students

Send your non-UK passport or identity card the first time you apply.

Where to send your documents

Any original documents you send will be returned to you within 4 weeks.

Students from England

EU students

Household income

You must provide your household income if you apply for any of the following:

full Maintenance Loan

Maintenance Grant - not available if your course started on or after 1 August 2016

Special Support Grant - not available if your course started on or after 1 August 2016

Childcare Grant

Adult Dependants’ Grant

Parents’ Learning Allowance

You’ll need to provide your household income for tax year:

2019 to 2020 if you’re applying for the 2021 to 2022 academic year

2018 to 2019 if you’re applying for the 2020 to 2021 academic year

After you apply, Student Finance England will ask the people in your household to confirm their income. They might need to provide evidence.

What counts as household income

Your household income includes any of the following that apply:

your parents’ income, if you’re under 25 and live with them or depend on them financially

the combined income of one of your parents and their (your parents’) partner, if you’re under 25 and live with them or depend on them financially

your partner’s income, if you’re over 25 and live with them (even if they spend most of their time abroad)

income you get from your own savings, investments or property, for example dividends or rent

If you’ve supported yourself financially for at least 3 years or had no contact with your parents for over a year, you might be able to apply as an ‘independent student’.

Change an application

You must say if any details in your application change. You’ll need to report some changes yourself. Your parents, partner or sponsor will need to report others.

Changes you must report

Full time students

Use your online account to tell Student Finance England if:

you’ve changed your course, university or college

you’re repeating a year

you’ve changed your name or marital status

your Tuition Fee Loan amount has changed

you’re living somewhere new

Part-time students and EU students

If you’re a part-time or EU student, you’ll need to fill in form CO2 or EUCO1 instead.

| Student type | Form

2020 to 2021 academic year | Part-time student | CO2 form for 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 94KB)

2019 to 2020 academic year | Part-time student | CO2 form for 2019 to 2020 (PDF, 85KB)

2021 to 2022 academic year | EU student | EUCO1 form for 2021 to 2022 (PDF, 136KB)

2020 to 2021 academic year | EU student | EUCO1 form for 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 146KB)

Use your online account to send the form to Student Finance England, or send it by post. The address is on the form.

After your course starts you can contact your university or college to change or repeat your course or change your Tuition Fee Loan.

If you’ve changed your name or marital status

You must write and tell Student Finance England if you’ve changed your name or marital status. The letter must include:

your customer reference number

the date

your signature

evidence that you’ve changed your name or marital status

If you’ve changed your name you must include a copy of one of the following with your letter:

marriage certificate

decree absolute

change of name deed - it must be an enrolled deed poll

If you’ve changed your marital status, you must include a copy of one of the following with your letter:

marriage certificate

decree absolute

civil partnership final order

Use your online account to send the letter and evidence to Student Finance England, or send it by post.

If you cannot provide the right document, contact Student Finance England.

Changes your parents, partner or sponsor must report

If your household income changes

Your parents or partner must:

correct any mistakes relating to their (Your parents or partner) household income

tell Student Finance England if they (Your parents or partner) think their (Your parents or partner) household income will be at least 15% lower than the tax year they (Your parents or partner) submitted details for

If your parents or sponsor have another child

Your parents or sponsor must tell Student Finance England if they have any more children.


Telling an employer, university or college about your criminal record

When you need to tell an employer, university or college

When you apply for a role or placement, you might need to tell your potential employer, university or college (an employer, university or college) about a:

conviction you got at court

caution you got from the police

You only need tell the employer, university or college (an employer, university or college) about a conviction or caution:

if they (an employer, university or college) ask you to, for example in an interview or on an application form

for a specific amount of time after you got it (a conviction or caution), or always for certain roles

There are different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What information you need to give

The information you need to give a potential employer, university or college about a conviction or caution depends on:

if the conviction or caution (a conviction or caution) is on your basic criminal record

the role you’re applying for

What’s on your basic criminal record and what’s not

After you get a conviction or caution, it’s usually ‘unspent’ for a specific amount of time. The amount of time depends on the type of punishment or sentence you got.

An unspent conviction or caution means:

it (a conviction or caution)’s on your basic criminal record

it (a conviction or caution) will show up on any DBS check (criminal record check)

Most convictions or cautions then become ‘spent’ after a specific amount of time. This might be after a few months or years, or straight away.

A spent conviction or caution means:

it (a conviction or caution)’s not on your basic criminal record anymore

it (a conviction or caution) will only show up on a more detailed DBS check known as ‘standard’ or ‘enhanced’, unless it (a conviction or caution)’s removed (‘filtered’) from the DBS certificate

You can check when a conviction or caution you got will become spent.

You can also read about different convictions or cautions, for example a court fine or a prison sentence.

If you have an unspent conviction or caution

You only need to tell a potential employer, university or college about an unspent conviction or caution if they ask you to.

If they (a potential employer, university or college) ask you and you do not tell them (a potential employer, university or college) about it (an unspent conviction or caution), they (a potential employer, university or college) might find out by using a DBS check. They (a potential employer, university or college) could then reject your application or withdraw a job offer, or you might be charged with a crime.

If you have a spent conviction or caution

You only need to tell a potential employer, university or college about a spent conviction or caution if all of the following apply:

they (a potential employer, university or college) ask you to

they (a potential employer, university or college) tell you that the role needs a standard or enhanced DBS check

it’s not removed (‘filtered’) from DBS certificates

You can check if the employer, university or college is allowed to request the standard or enhanced DBS check (a standard or enhanced DBS check). They (a potential employer, university or college) can only do this for certain roles, for example if you’re working with children or in healthcare.

It’s against the law for an employer, university or college to refuse you a role because you’ve got a spent conviction or caution, unless it makes you unsuitable for the role. For example, a driving conviction might make you unsuitable for a job as a driving instructor.

Check if you need to tell someone about your conviction or caution

Use this tool to check whether:

a conviction or caution you got in England or Wales is ‘spent’ (not on your basic criminal record)

you need to tell a potential employer, university or college about it (a conviction or caution you got in England or Wales)

You can also read more about what a spent conviction or caution is.

Check your conviction or caution

Check now

Before you check

For each conviction or caution you’ve had, you’ll need:

the type of conviction or caution you got

the date you got it

the date any conditions ended, or how long your sentence was

If you give approximate dates, the result you get will be approximate.

You will not need to give personal details such as your name. The information you give will not be saved and cannot identify you.

Cautions

A caution is an official warning from the police.

It (A caution) could be a:

simple caution if you’re 18 or over

youth caution if you’re under 18

conditional caution

Whether a caution is ‘spent’ affects what information you need to give a potential employer, university or college.

When simple and youth cautions become spent

They (simple and youth cautions) become spent straight away.

When a conditional caution becomes spent

It (a conditional caution) becomes spent either:

on the date the conditions end

3 months after you got it (a conditional caution), if the conditions have no end date

Fines and compensation

A court might order you to pay:

a fine

compensation to someone (‘compensation order’)

Whether a fine or compensation order is ‘spent’ affects what information you need to give a potential employer, university or college.

When a fine becomes spent

A fine becomes spent:

one year after you got it (a fine), if you were 18 or over

6 months after you got it (a fine), if you were under 18

There are different rules if a court gives you a fine for a driving offence.

When a compensation order becomes spent

A compensation order becomes spent after you’ve paid someone in full and sent proof of payment to DBS.

Driving convictions

A court might give you a conviction for a driving offence, for example speeding or drink driving.

The conviction could be:

a fine

a driving ban (‘disqualification’)

community service or a prison sentence

Fixed penalty notices (FPN) and penalty charge notices (PCN) are fines for minor driving offences. They will not appear on your criminal record unless a court gives you a conviction because of one.

Whether a driving conviction is ‘spent’ affects what information you need to give a potential employer, university or college.

‘Endorsements’ (penalty points)

A court will give a driving ban or fine with penalty points that appear on your driving record. This (‘Endorsements’ (penalty points)) is known as an ‘endorsement’.

An endorsement can stay on your driving record for longer than your criminal record.

This (stay) means a potential employer, university or college might find out about a driving ban or fine after it’s spent, if they request to check your driving record.

When a fine with an endorsement becomes spent

The fine (a fine with an endorsement) becomes spent either:

5 years after you got it (a fine with an endorsement), if you were 18 or over

2 years and 6 months after you got it (a fine with an endorsement), if you were under 18

When a driving ban with an endorsement becomes spent

When a driving ban becomes spent depends on how:

long the ban (a driving ban) lasts

old you were when you got it (a driving ban)

If you were 18 or over

If the ban (a driving ban) lasts less than 5 years, it (a driving ban) becomes spent 5 years after you got it (a driving ban).

If the ban (a driving ban) lasts more than 5 years, it (a driving ban) becomes spent on the date it (a driving ban) ends.

If you were under 18

If the ban (a driving ban) lasts less than 2 years and 6 months, it (a driving ban) becomes spent 2 years and 6 months after you got it (a driving ban).

If the ban (a driving ban) lasts more than 2 years and 6 months, it (a driving ban) becomes spent on the date it (a driving ban) ends.

Prison sentences

A court might:

give you a prison sentence if you’re 18 or over

give you a detention order (‘detention and training order’) if you’re under 18

order you to stay in hospital instead of prison (‘hospital order’) if there are concerns about your mental health

A court can decide to delay a prison sentence for up to 2 years as long as you meet certain conditions. This is known as ‘suspended’.

Whether a sentence is ‘spent’ affects what information you need to give a potential employer, university or college.

When a prison sentence becomes spent

The length of the prison sentence (a prison sentence) affects when it (a prison sentence) becomes spent.

Length of your sentence | When it (a prison sentence) becomes spent

Less than 6 months | 2 years after the sentence (a prison sentence) ends

6 months to 2 years and 6 months | 4 years after the sentence (a prison sentence) ends

2 years and 6 months to 4 years | 7 years after the sentence (a prison sentence) ends

Longer than 4 years | It never becomes spent

If your prison sentence was ‘suspended’ or you were released early

The full length of the prison sentence (a prison sentence) affects when it (a prison sentence) becomes spent - not the amount of the time it (a prison sentence) was suspended for or how long you were in prison.

When a detention order becomes spent

The length of the sentence affects when it becomes spent.

Length of your sentence | When it (the sentence) becomes spent

Less than 6 months | 1 year and 6 months after the sentence (a prison sentence) ends

6 months to 2 years and 6 months | 2 years after the sentence (a prison sentence) ends

2 years and 6 months to 4 years | 3 years and 6 months after the sentence (a prison sentence) ends

When a hospital order becomes spent

A hospital order becomes spent either:

on the date it (a hospital order) ends

2 years after you got it (a hospital order), if there’s no end date.

Community service

A court might give you:

community service (‘community order’) if you’re 18 or over

a youth order (‘youth rehabilitation order’) or a referral order if you’re under 18

For example unpaid work, a curfew or alcohol treatment.

Whether a community, youth or referral order is ‘spent’ affects what information you need to give a potential employer, university or college.

When community service becomes spent

Community service becomes spent either:

one year after its (community service) end date

2 years after you got it (community service), if there’s no end date

When a youth order becomes spent

A youth order becomes spent either:

6 months after its (a youth order) end date

2 years after you got it (a youth order), if there’s no end date

When a referral order becomes spent

A referral order becomes spent on its (a referral order) end date.

Discharges

A discharge is a type of conviction where a court finds you guilty but does not give you a sentence because the offence is very minor.

The conviction could be:

an absolute discharge

a conditional discharge, where you could still get a sentence if you break the conditions

a ‘bind over’, where you could get a fine if you break the conditions

Whether a discharge or bind over is ‘spent’ affects what information you need to give a potential employer, university or college.

When an absolute discharge becomes spent

It (an absolute discharge) becomes spent straight away.

When conditional discharges and bind overs become spent

They (conditional discharges and bind overs) become spent either:

on the date they (conditional discharges and bind overs) end

2 years after you got one, if there’s no end date

Military convictions

A court might give you a military conviction if they find you guilty of a crime while you served in the British armed forces.

The conviction might be:

a dismissal

a service detention

an overseas community order

a service community order

Whether a military conviction is ‘spent’ affects what information you need to give a potential employer, university or college.

When military convictions become spent

How long it takes for a conviction to become spent depends on how old you were when you were convicted. If you were:

18 or over it takes 12 months

under 18 it takes 6 months

The length of time is calculated from:

the date of your conviction for dismissals

the day on which the sentence is complete for service detentions

the end date for overseas and community service orders - if the order has no end date, it becomes spent after 2 years

If you were given both a dismissal and a service detention then the longer of the two spent dates applies.