Car finance
with provisional licence

What is a provisional licence?

A provisional driving licence is a temporary document issued by the DVLA that allows you to learn to drive under supervision. To drive legally, you must have a qualified driver with you who has held a full UK driving licence for at least three years.

This provisional licence is the first step towards getting a full driving licence in the UK. It gives you the chance to gain practical driving experience in a safe and controlled way while preparing for your driving test.

Can I get car finance with a provisional license?

Sure, most of the provisional licence holders can secure car finance, but approval depends on several factors. Many car finance providers accept applications from provisional licence holders, allowing you to finance a car before passing your test. The amount you can borrow depends on your income, credit history, and overall affordability. Lenders often set a borrowing limit, typically around £25,000, to manage risk.

Proving financial stability increases approval chances. Some lenders may require a guarantor or suggest a joint car finance application with someone who has a good credit score. This can help if you have no credit history or have faced bad credit issues in the past.

At Carboom, we work with lenders who offer car finance with a provisional licence, whether you apply alone, with a joint applicant, or with a guarantor. Check your eligibility today and find the best finance options available.

Applying for car finance with provisional licence and bad credit

At Carboom, we know that bad credit or limited credit history can make car finance feel out of reach. However, from our experience, most provisional licence holders struggle to get approved not because of their licence status, but due to a lack of credit history. A low credit score doesn’t always lead to a refusal, and there are ways to improve your chances.

Here are some simple steps to help build your credit rating and make lenders more confident in your application:

• Register on the electoral roll – This confirms your address and makes lenders see you as more stable.
• Use credit wisely – A phone contract or small credit card, paid on time, helps show you can manage money responsibly.
• Pay bills on time – Keeping up with rent, utilities, and subscriptions proves you’re reliable.
• Avoid too many applications – Applying for several loans at once can lower your credit score and make lenders hesitant.

At Carboom, we work with car finance providers who accept applications from provisional licence holders, even with bad credit. Check your eligibility today and find the best finance options for you.

Types of car finance for provisional license holders?

At Carboom, we work with lenders who offer car finance for provisional licence holders, making it possible to get the car you want while you're still learning. The two most common options are Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Purchase (PCP). Each works differently, so choosing the right one depends on your budget and long-term plans.

With Hire Purchase (HP), you make fixed monthly payments until you’ve covered the total amount payable. Once the final payment is made, the car is yours to keep. This is a great choice if you want full ownership without needing to pay a large lump sum at the end.

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) offers lower monthly payments because you only repay part of the car’s value. At the end of the term, you can return the vehicle, trade it in for a new one, or pay a lump sum to keep it. PCP finance works well if you like driving newer models every few years without committing to full ownership.

Do I need a guarantor to get car finance with a provisional license?

Many provisional licence holders don’t know if they need a guarantor to get car finance. The short answer is that it depends. Lenders look at your income and expenses to decide whether you need a guarantor. If they see that you have enough money to cover the monthly payments, you might not need one at all.

At Carboom, we help provisional licence holders find the best car finance deals—with or without a guarantor. Get a quote today and see what’s available.

Should I make a joint application for car finance if I have a provisional license?

A joint loan application can improve your chances of getting car finance. This means applying with someone, usually a family member or partner, who shares responsibility for the loan. Lenders are more likely to approve finance if the second applicant has a good credit score, full driving licence, and stable income.

Unlike a guarantor agreement, where the guarantor only steps in if payments are missed, a joint loan lists both applicants on the agreement, making them equally responsible for repayments. Joint applicants must live at the same address, while a guarantor does not.

At Carboom, we help provisional licence holders find the right car finance option, whether through a joint application, guarantor finance, or standard car loan. Get a quote today and explore your best options.

Reasons to apply for car finance with a provisional licence

Many provisional licence holders don’t realise that getting car finance before passing their test can make learning to drive much easier. Owning a car while learning helps you get familiar with its controls, handling, and features, so you feel more confident behind the wheel. You won’t need to adjust to different vehicles during driving lessons, making the process smoother.

A car loan can also keep you motivated to complete your driving qualification. Once you start loan repayments, the financial commitment encourages you to stay focused on passing your test as soon as possible. This means you can move towards full UK driving faster while improving your financial responsibility.

Another big advantage is that starting monthly payments early means you’ll have already paid off part of the total amount payable before driving independently. This makes future loan repayments more manageable.