Is it a criminal offence driving without licence?
Yes it is. Unlicensed drivers are technically uninsured as well and cost the law abiding drivers a lot of stress and money. The actual offence in the UK of driving without a licence is ‘driving other than in accordance with a licence’ which applied to driving with no licence at all of with a provisional licence unsupervised. Being caught will result in your car being seized under section 165 of the road traffic act and usually a fine of at least £200 and 6 points on your licence. If you have no licence then this will be applied if and when you get a licence. Otherwise it will be applied to a provisional licence.