Getting started

Learning to drive is probably one of the most exciting and most useful things you will do.
Being able to drive will open up your life, both socially and in terms of the careers you can choose.

Obtaining your Licence

Your first step will be to apply for a Provisional Drivers Licence. Go to the links page and you can do this on-line, or apply by post using a Form D1 which you can get from the Post Office.
Your Licence will cost £45.00.
You will need to supply a photo of yourself (which must fulfill certain criteria) and an acceptable form of I.D. The online application site or Form D1 will give you full details.
Once you have your licence you can start learning to drive.

Choosing your Driving Instructor

Preparing for and passing a driving test is quite a challenge, and you are strongly advised to seek guidance from a professional Instructor. You might ask your friends about their Instructor, or contact one of the Driving Schools listed in our Directory.
A fully-qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) will have the skills, knowledge and training to prepare you for test. He/She will have been tested and vetted by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) who are the same people that carry out the driving test, ensuring a very high, professional standard of service.
Fully qualified instructors must display a Green Badge in their car, trainees have a Pink Badge.

All the Driving Instructors listed in our Driving School Directory are fully qualified, although note that some Driving Schools also train instructors, and trainees are allowed to teach while preparing for their final exam.
Any contract is between you and your instructor, and it is your responsibility to choose your instructor carefully. We do not specifically endorse any Driving School or instructor listed or advertising on this website, and cannot accept any liability or responsibility for problems arising from using this website.

Private practise

Some private practise between lessons can be very beneficial, and you must always be supervised while driving. Your supervising driver must be aged over 21 and have held a full U.K. drivers licence for at least three years.

Any car being driven by a learner driver must display "L" plates. These must be clearly visible from the front and back of the car. It is strongly recommended that they are not placed on the bonnet (where they may not be clearly visible from in front of the car at a distance) or on the windows (where they will obscure your view).
They must be removed when the car is not being driven by a learner driver (except on Driving School cars).
Please note that magnetic plates are prone to "fly off" when the vehicle is travelling at speed.

You must also ensure that the car is insured for you to drive, and is taxed and MOT'd (where necessary). If it is not, YOU, as the driver, are legally liable.

Your Instructor will advise you on how to get the most out of your private practise, and should be able to offer guidance to those supervising your private practise.
Generally, it is best to practise things you have already covered with your Instructor to improve these aspects of your driving, rather than try new things. Early on, practising simple stops and starts, and gear changes can quickly make these very reliable. As your skills improve, you might want to go on longer drives, and practising the reversing maneouvres on the run up to your test is going to help make these as good as possible. Be careful not to find yourself in situations that you may not be able to handle, and remember that your Supervising Driver may be as nervous as you!.

How long will it take?

The DSA frequently carry out surveys, and these indicate that a learner of average ability, in the 17-25 year old age range, would normally take 45-50 hours of tuition with an Instructor on top of lots of private practise.
As you get older, it can take longer, and of course if you are not able to practise privately, you are likely to need more lessons.

Preparing for the Tests

There are two tests that you must take, a Theory Test and the Practical Driving Test. For more details go to our Test information page.

You can start preparing for your Theory test before starting your lessons or even getting your licence.
Go to the Reference section and at the bottom of the first page you will find advise on study material, and a Book List.