GETTING STARTED
Observing the basics of learner driving
Being able to drive is much more than remembering rules and how to complete manoeuvres. You will need to learn how to effectively respond to the behaviour of other drivers, road users and pedestrians. Learning to drive a car is a step by step process and you must understand and observe all of the criteria involved and it can be broken into 6 easy steps.
1. Check you are allowed to drive
Vehicles you can drive
Check if you are old enough, or have the right kind of driving licence, to drive different kinds of vehicle. You check your suitability at the GOV.uk website.
Legal obligations of drivers
You must do several things before you drive a car or ride a motorcycle. These include getting a driving licence, registering, insuring and taxing your vehicle, and getting an MOT.
Driving eyesight rules
You must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive if you need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’.
You must tell DVLA if you’ve got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.
This doesn’t include being short or long sighted or colour blind. You also don’t need to say if you’ve had surgery to correct short sightedness and can meet the eyesight standards.
2. Get a provisional licence
Apply for your first provisional driving licence
Get your first provisional driving licence for a moped, motorbike and car from DVLA online. To apply you must:
- be at least 15 years and 9 months old
- be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
Before you start
It costs £34 to apply online. You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card. You’ll need to provide:
- an identity document unless you have a valid UK biometric passport
- addresses where you’ve lived over the last 3 years
- your National Insurance number if you know it
You’ll get a confirmation email from DVLA after you’ve applied. You might be asked to take part in research by email, but you can opt out.
Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online. It may take longer if DVLA need to make additional checks.
3. Driving lessons & practice
The Highway Code
The Highway Code is a thorough guide to the laws of the road and must be understood before you can sit your Theory and Practical tests.
Driving lessons and learning to drive
Taking driving lessons can be categorised into 3 sections:
- Taking driving lessons
- Practising with family or friends
- Using ‘L’ and ‘P’ plates
Find driving schools, lessons and instructors
Find driving instructors who are approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and check their grade (if they declare it). You can locate my Grade ‘A’ instructor rating and score at the DSA website.
‘Show me, tell me’ questions: car driving test
A full list of The ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions that driving examiners can ask in car driving tests can be located at the DVLA website.
Prepare for your theory test
Theory test revision and practice
You can use books and software to revise for the theory test and take practice tests.
The Theory Test Can be split into 7 main section:
- Booking your test
- Theory test revision and practice
- What to take to your test
- Multiple-choice questions
- Hazard perception test
- Pass mark and test result
- If you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition
Take a practice theory test
You can practise both parts of the theory test online.
4. Book and manage your theory test
Before you start
You need your:
- UK driving licence number
- email address – you have to book by phone if you don’t have one
credit or debit card - You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day you take your theory or driving test.
Car and motorcycle tests cost £23.
What to take to your test
You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your test.
Use this service to:
- find an earlier driving theory test
- move your theory test to a later date
- change which test centre you take your test at
Check appointment details
Use this service to check your driving theory test appointment details if you’ve lost or deleted your email confirmation. You can check the:
- date and time of your theory test
- address of the theory test centre
You don’t need to take your booking confirmation to your theory test.
Check appointment details
Use this service to check your driving theory test appointment details if you’ve lost or deleted your email confirmation. You can check the:
- date and time of your theory test
- address of the theory test centre
You don’t need to take your booking confirmation to your theory test.
Cancel your theory test
Cancel your driving theory test if you no longer need your appointment.
5. Book and manage your driving test
Before you start
You need your:
- UK driving licence number
- credit or debit card
- driving instructor’s personal reference number if you want to check they’re available
What to take to your test
You must take:
- your UK driving licence
- your theory test pass certificate
- a car – most people use their driving instructor’s, but you can use your own car if it meets the rules
Change your driving test appointment
Use this service to:
- find an earlier driving test (sometimes called a ‘cancellation appointment’)
- move your driving test to a later date
- change which test centre you take your test at
Check your driving test appointment details
Use this service to check your driving test appointment details if you’ve lost or deleted your email confirmation. You can check the:
- date and time of your driving test
- address of the driving test
- You do not need to take your booking confirmation to your driving test.
Cancel your driving test
Cancel your driving or riding test if you no longer need your appointment.
6. When you pass
Pass Plus
Pass Plus is a practical training course that takes at least 6 hours and is for drivers to improve their skills and drive more safely.
It can be taken at any time although it should be most useful to new drivers in the year after passing their test.
You’ll need a Pass Plus registered approved driving instructor ADI to teach you.