Album overdue — sign of a beginner (1-5)
I believe the answer is:
l-plate
'sign of a beginner' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'album overdue' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'album' could be 'lp' (abbreviation for a long-play record) and 'lp' is found in the answer.
'overdue' could be 'late' (similar in meaning) and 'late' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for l-plate that I've seen before include "Sign of trainee driver" , "Sign on learners car" , "Sign to be fixed to car driven by learner" , "Sign for unqualified driver" , "Trainee-driver sign" .)