Representative 30.9% APR
When you only have a provisional licence, you might think getting finance for a car isn't an option. And while some lenders won't accept provisional licences, we do! So yes, you can spread the cost of a car through Hire Purchase finance while you prepare for (and pass) your test.
Apply online and get an instant decision on your eligibility - we'll look at your overall circumstances, not just what licence you have!
We only offer one type of car finance - Hire Purchase (HP). Craig, our Head of Underwriting at First Response Finance, explains how this works and what it means if you don't have your full licence yet:
"Hire purchase for provisional licence holders works much like standard agreements. You choose a car, apply for finance to cover the cost, and make weekly or monthly payments until the agreement ends - at which point the car becomes yours!
"The main difference is that there may be extra checks or limits, like maximum loan amounts, vehicle restrictions, and higher rates, because you're still learning to drive. But thanks to specialist lenders like us, that doesn't mean it's a write off."
Here's what to weigh up when deciding if provisional licence car finance is right for you:
*If a passenger isn't a qualified and approved driving instructor or trainee driving instructor, they must be aged 21 or over, be qualified to drive the type of car you're learning to drive, i.e. manual, and have held a full driving licence (UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) for three years.
It's possible, but since 60% of learner drivers are under the age of 25, many won't have had the chance to build their credit history yet. Unfortunately, lenders will see this as a risk as they're not able to prove that they can make payments on time.
If you're learning to drive and have poor or no credit history, there are ways to boost your chances of approval for finance. One of them is making a joint application!
Joint car finance can make it easier to borrow money for a car as a learner driver, especially if you're young, have a low income, and no credit history.
By applying for joint finance with someone who has a full licence, more driving experience and, even better, a good credit score, lenders might be more willing to say yes.
Another option is to apply with a guarantor - somebody who isn't named on the policy but agrees to cover your loan if you fail to make the repayments. They don't usually have to live with you.
Just so you know... we don't offer guarantor loans, but we can help with joint car finance!
Legally, there's no requirement to hold a full licence to buy or finance a car. You just need to be old enough to borrow money for it (18 in the UK) and have proper supervision to drive it.
Here's our standard lending criteria:
If you have a provisional driving licence and want to buy a car through Hire Purchase finance, the maxium we can lend at First Response Finance is £6,000 - you must have also passed your theory and have your practical test booked.
Get a quick estimate of your monthly costs based on how much you want to borrow, your credit history, and how long you want to repay the loan over. Quotes are free and there’s no obligation to apply.
Top tip: you might not need a deposit, but even a small one can reduce your repayments and the total amount of interest you pay.
Select the option that best describes your credit rating.
There are no additional fees
Representative
28.9% APR
We use Experian, one of the UK's top credit reference agencies, to run our credit checks. This helps us to understand your credit history, which is one of several factors we take into consideration when making a decision on your approval for vehicle finance.
Here's some of the benefits and potential drawbacks of Hire Purchase car finance.
We’re authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
We're committed to treating customers fairly and giving clear, honest information so you can trust us to put your best interests first every step of the way!
Everyone's got to start somewhere, and despite some extra hurdles, you could still borrow the money you need for a car while you're still learning to drive.
Here's why we're a great choice:
Applying for car finance is as easy as a Sunday (supervised) drive!
Found a car you like the look of? Get a free quote online with no commitment to apply. We'll tell you right away if you're eligible and give you an estimate of what your repayments could be.
We're SAF Approved by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), which means that all of our customer-facing employees have passed the Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) Expert test. This ensures our team members have all the relevant knowledge to advise you on available finance products and help find the right one for you!
If you're ready to get your first car, you don't have to wait until you pass your test. Get a quick, free, no-obligation quote that has no impact on your credit score today!
This page was last reviewed in November 2025.
First Response Finance is a responsible vehicle finance lender, and all decisions are made in the best interests of the customer; based on credit scores, status, and income at the time of application. We'll never approve an application if we believe you might struggle with repayments.
Get independent advice on money, finance products, debt management, and budgeting through Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper.
