The steps to learning to drive
Check what you need to do to learn how to drive a car.
Apply for a provisional driving licence
You can apply for a provisional driving licence when:
be at least 15 years and 9 months old
be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
have been given permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days
It costs £34 when you apply online. Go to Gov.uk
Alternatively you can apply using the D1 application available from your local post office. Send your application to the address on the form, along with a cheque or postal order for £43.
The eyesight test
On your first driving lesson and at the start of your practical driving test, you must correctly read a number plate on a parked vehicle.
You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres.
If you cannot, you’ll fail your driving test and the test will not continue. DVLA will be told and your licence will be revoked.
When you reapply for your driving licence, DVLA will ask you to have an eyesight test with DVSA. This will be at a driving test centre. If you’re successful, you’ll still have to pass the DVSA standard eyesight test at your next practical driving test.
You can learn to drive and take a practical driving test at the age of 17.
You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
How old do I have to be to learn to drive a car?(Category B)
The theory test
We would recommend to revise and prepare for your theory test ASAP.
There are 2 parts to the test:
Multiple choice and hazard perception.
This test must be completed prior to booking your practical driving test.
There are a number of training materials available from books, websites and apps.
The Highway Code - Gov.uk
Theory test revision and practice
Take a practice theory test
The official DVSA apps
Book your theory test
What to take to your test
Your UK driving licence
If you have a paper licence, you must bring a valid passport as well as your paper licence. If you do not have a passport, you need to apply for a photo card licence.
You can view, change and cancel your booking on the gov website.
The practical test
Book your practical driving test
What to take to your test
You must take:
your UK driving licence
your theory test pass certificate, if you have it
a car - most people use their driving instructor’s, but you can use your own car if it meets the rules
Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.
Your driving licence
You need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours before your test. This could take up to 15 days to arrive.
Rearrange your test if you do not get the new licence in enough time.
You can view, change and cancel your test on the gov.uk website.
If you do not have a photocard licence
Bring a valid passport and your paper licence. If you do not have a passport, you need to apply for a photo card licence.
If you’ve lost your theory test certificate
You do not need to get a replacement theory test certificate. Your driving examiner will check that you’ve passed your theory test before your driving test starts.
