johnw said:

You are only off the road for a week or so under the new driver rules. You get advance warning of the date on which your licence revocation takes place and can drive up to that date. You can apply for a new licence right away and drive with L plates, a supervising driver and insurance that covers you in your new status. The only period off the road is while you are between licences - a week or so.

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The problems being the supervising driver and L-plates and cost of insurance methinks

Out of interest, been as in most areas there's a 6-8 week wait for a practical driving test, can you apply for a new theory and then practical test while you still have a full licence? Not suggesting you may know but an interesting point.

Helz said:

can you apply for a new theory and then practical test while you still have a full licence?

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Any driver can at any time take a driving test. Even if they already have a full licence. A neighbour of mine who is well into his 80's takes a test every year and will (he says) give up driving if he ever fails one.

The important point to remember for revocation under the new drivers act is that you must take a new test to convert your provisional to a full licence. In other words you can book a test in advance but, for it to be valid for new driver act purposes, you can't actually take it until you have sent back your full licence and received your new provisional.

Correct me if I am wrong.. You say you are 18? So it means you not been driving for 2+ years? Mate if you get 6 points within 2 years of passing you lose your licence and will have to retake the theory and practical test.