Do you, or someone you know, want to learn to drive?
Follow our step-by-step guide below to help you familiarise yourself with what you'll need to do, and the potential costs involved, right up to your driving test and beyond.
Learning to drive can seem daunting, but our step-by-step guide breaks down the stages you'll go through, from applying for your provisional licence to taking your test.
We've also given you approximate costs for each stage, so you know roughly what you'll need to budget for as you go through the stages.
Apply for your provisional licence
You don't have to wait until you are 17 to apply for a provisional driving licence. You can apply for one aged 15 years and 9 months old.
You can learn to drive a car and take a test at 17.
If you already have a provisional licence to ride a moped, you do not need to reapply.
You must have a provisional licence before you can:
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Take driving lessons with an instructor
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Practice driving on public roads, with a supervising driver (who is over 21, and has had their full driving licence for at least 3 years)
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Book you theory and practical driving tests
Cost of a provisional licence
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£34 if you apply online
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£43 if you apply by post
Once you've passed your practical test, your provisional licence is automatically exchanged for a full licence at no extra cost.
The Theory Test
You can book your Theory Test from age 17. The test is split in to two parts: multiple-choice questions, and hazard perception test.
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The multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:
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The Highway Code
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Know your traffic signs
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Driving - the essential skills
These books can be bought from bookshops, or you can practice via the gov.uk website or DVSA app.
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The hazard perception test features 14 videos, all of everyday road scenes with at least one 'developing hazard'. You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.
Pass mark and test result
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You'll get the result at the test centre after taking the theory test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.
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To pass the multiple-choice questions, you need 43 points out of a total of 50
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To pass the hazard perception test, you need 44 points out of 75
Cost to take the theory test
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£23 via the official DVSA website
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There are additional costs to buy study books or to download the study apps
You need a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.
Finding a Driving Instructor
Whoever you choose as your driving instructor, they must be registered with the DVSA, and they must display a badge in their windscreen to show they are registered. If they are a qualified and approved driving instructor (an ADI) they will have a green badge, or if they are a trainee driving instructor they will have a pink badge.
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You can find a driving instructor in a number of ways:
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Through the gov.uk 'Find Driving Instructor' service (though please note ADIs choose whether or not to be on this service, so not all ADIs will be listed)
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Search online for driving instructors and driving schools in your area
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Ask friends and family for recommendations.
Cost of driving lessons
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This varies depending on location, instructor experience, and whether you are learning in a manual or automatic car, but the average cost per hour can be around £30 - £40.
The DVSA suggests learners should have around 45 hours of professional instruction, along with around 20 - 22 hours of extra practice with a supervising driver.
The Driving Test
You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test. You can book your driving test through the gov.uk website, using the 'Driving Test Booking Service'.
The test lasts around 35 - 40 minutes, and includes the following:
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Eyesight check – read a number plate from a set distance
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‘Show Me, Tell Me’ questions – a safety check before/while driving
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General driving ability – calm, safe driving in different conditions
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Independent driving – follow directions from a sat nav or traffic signs
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Reversing and manoeuvres – controlled parking / turning as instructed
You must bring your licence and theory pass certificate on the day.
Cost of driving test
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The official cost of booking a driving test is £62 for a weekday, or £75 for evenings, weekends or Bank Holidays.
Avoid unofficial test booking websites and apps. These can be more expensive. Always book through the official gov.uk website.
After You Pass Your Driving Test
When you pass your practical driving test, the DVLA will usually send you your full licence automatically.
You can start driving as soon as you’ve passed the practical test.
Remember
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You must have an insurance policy that allows you to drive without supervision.
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You have passed your driving test, but you are most likely still very new to driving! Now is the time to gain more experience and practice your driving, so you can become and safe and competent driver.
You may want to consider 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.
See the gov.uk website here for more information on Pass Plus.
For more information on the stages of learning to drive, please visit the official gov.uk 'Driving tests and learning to drive' website.