Only for East London (Ilford, Barking, Dagenham). Whatsapp 07534856157 for details.
Only for East London (Ilford, Barking, Dagenham). Whatsapp 07534856157 for details.
This step-by-step guidance will show you the requirements, stages and relevant links that you may need to follow in order to become a fully qualified car driver in the UK. This would include minimum age required, driving eyesight rules, provisional licence, driving lessons and practice, theory test and driving test. This guidance is not exhaustive as there might be some different rules for some other parts of the UK. Please check for your specific region.
Beside this basic guidance, there are some other legal obligations that you should consider and fulfil before you start to drive. These obligations include (but not limited to) driving as a learner, the requirements for the vehicle you would like to drive etc.
There are some legal obligations beside this guidance that anyone, who would like to drive in the UK, must consider before starting to drive legally.
Age requirements
Before you start to drive, you must meet minimum age and eyesight requirements. Most people can start learning to drive when they are 17 years old. You can check what age you can drive a vehicle.
You can learn to drive a car and take a test when you’re 16 if you’re getting, or have applied for, the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Eyesight standards
A driver's eyesight plays a vital role in safe driving. There are some driving eyesight rules which also include minimum eyesight standard for driving.
Generally, 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. You could be prosecuted if you drive without meeting the standards of vision for driving.
Either you are a learner driver or fully qualified driver, it is your responsibility to ensure that the vehicle you intend to drive is road worthy and meets the legal requirements.
To be eligible to apply for your first UK provisional driving licence you need to meet the minimum age requirements and eyesights standards as stated below. To apply, you must
If you already have a provisional licence, you do not need to apply again to drive a car.
There are different rules depending on your age and the type of vehicle. Check what vehicles you can drive and when before you start to learn to drive.
You can apply for your provisional licence directly on the DVLA's website or by pressing the Apply Now button below and it will take you to DVLA's website to book.
It costs £34 to apply online. You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.
Once you have met all the requirements and have received your provisional licence, you can start learning to drive once you are 17 and above.
You must be supervised when you’re learning to drive a car. This can be done by a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) or someone else who meets the rules, for example family or friends.
There’s no minimum number of lessons you must have or hours you must practise driving. How many lessons you need will depend on how quickly you learn. Learner's age, lessons regularity and forward planning are factors to help in assessing the number of hours required for a learner to be test-ready.
Generally, we recommend around 40 hours of driving lessons with an approved driving instructor as this may be enough for a learner to be test-ready. You can keep record of your progress with your instructor.
You can download the form below to keep track of your progress with your driving instructor.
Theory test is the first important part in getting to qualify for your driving licence. 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.
It consists of two parts as stated below, and you must pass both to pass the Theory test.
You can use books and software to revise for the theory test and take practice tests. We suggest to use DVSA's books/CDs or mobile apps available on app stores.
If you pass, you’ll get a letter with a pass certificate number at the test centre. You need this when you book and take your driving test.
Your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You must pass your driving test in that time, otherwise you’ll have to pass the theory test again.
If you fail, you’ll get a letter at the test centre that will tell you which parts you did not score enough points on so you know what to practise. You must book and take the full test again, even if you passed one part this time.
You have to wait at least 3 working days before taking your test again.
You can book your Theory test directly on the DVSA's website or by pressing the Book Theory Test button below and it will take you to DVSA's booking system.
It costs £23 to book online. You can pay by credit or debit card.
Driving test is the second and last important part in getting to qualify for your driving licence. You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test. 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 test.
Driving test consists of five parts as stated below. You will be driving for around 40 minutes (extended driving tests are 70 minutes long).
There are 3 types of faults you can make:
You’ll pass your driving test if you make:
If you fail, the examiner will tell you what faults you made. You have to book another test and pay again. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.
If you pass, the examiner will tell you what faults you made, if any. The examiner then will give you a pass certificate and will ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically - give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this.
You can start driving straight away when you’ve passed your test. You do not need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
Before you start to drive, ensure that the vehicle you are willing to drive meets the legal obligations as it would be your responsibility. You must also have a minimum of third party insurance that covers your use of the vehicle without supervision.
Pass Plus
Once you have passed your driving test and have become a fully qualified driver, you may wish to join our pass plus course.
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.
Pass Plus may also help you get a car insurance discount if you successfully complete the course.
Most of the content has been taken from gov.uk under the OGL v3.0 permissions.
You can book your Driving test directly on the DVSA's website or by pressing the Book Driving Test button below and it will take you to DVSA's booking system.
It can cost from £62 - £75 to book online. You can check the cost here. You can pay by credit or debit card.