Learning to Drive
Getting Your Licence
With many rules and regulations to adhere to, things can sometimes seem a bit complicated and it’s easy to overlook what you need to do to ensure you’re not breaking the law when using the road.
You must do several things before you drive a car or ride a motorcycle on the road. These include getting a driving licence, registering your vehicle and making sure it’s insured, taxed and has a valid MOT. If you fail to do one or more of these things, you could face a fine, penalty points on your licence (even on a provisional licence) and your vehicle could also be seized or crushed.
Even if you have previously had a full driving licence in another country, if you only have a provisional licence in the UK you must pass a theory and practical test here before you can drive on your own.
To learn to drive:
You must be at least 17 years old. (16 if you receive disability living allowance at the higher rate)
You must hold a provisional licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland (You can apply here)
You must be able to read a vehicle registration plate from 20 metres away (with glasses or contact lenses if you need them, which you must always wear when you drive)
You must make sure any vehicle you drive is roadworthy and properly taxed and insured for you to drive
You must display L plates on the front and rear of your vehicle where they can be clearly seen (you can display L or D plates in Wales)
You must be accompanied by a fully qualified driver who is over 21 and has held a full car driving licence for at least three years. Ideally you should have lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and practice with a family member or friend in between.
Starting to Learn
The ideal way to learn to drive is to have professional lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and private practice with a family member or friend in-between. The extra time behind the wheel will allow you to practise and reinforce what you have been taught by your ADI.
Despite the cost involved, the aim should never be to pass the driving test as quickly as possible but instead use any additional practice time to gain as much experience as possible, in a wide range of conditions. This could actually save you money in the future because safer, more experienced drivers are far less likely to be involved in a collision.
According to statistics published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the average learner needs 45 hours of professional instruction with an ADI, and 20 hours of private practise.
Learning on the Motorway
Since 2018, learner drivers have been permitted to take driving lessons on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. To drive on motorways learner drivers must be accompanied by a professional driving instructor (an ADI) in a dual controlled car that is displaying L plates or has a driving school rooftop box.
Motorway lessons are not compulsory and it is up to your driving instructor to decide whether the learner driver is competent enough. Motorway driving is not currently part of the driving test.
Important: You cannot undertake private practice on the motorway, this is only permitted with an Approved Driving Instructor.
The Theory Test
Before you can take your practical driving test you must first pass the theory test. The theory test is split into 2 parts:
Multiple Choice Questions
During this part of the test you will have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions. You must answer 43 correctly to pass the theory test.
Hazard Perception
During this part of the test you will be shown 14 video clips where you will need to identify developing hazards. Most video clips will have 1 developing hazard, but 1 video clip will have 2 developing hazards. There will be 15 hazards during the test. You will be scored based on how early you spot the developing hazards.
Each hazard has a maximum mark of 5. You must score at least 44 to pass the test.
If you pass one part of the theory test but not the other, you will need to retake both parts of the test. Speak to your approved driving instructor about how you can prepare for the test.
You cannot book a practical test until you pass the theory test. Because of current delays with practical test appointments, SJ Driver Training recommends you start preparing for the theory test as early as possible, even before your first driving lesson if you feel able. You must sit and pass the practical test within 2 years of passing the theory test, otherwise you will need to pass the theory test again.
The Driving Test
It is always best to check with your instructor to make sure you are ready before attempting your practical driving test. Currently practical driving tests cost £62, or £75 for tests conducted in the evening, on weekends or on bank holidays.
Practical driving tests last for 38-40 minutes and incorporate a range of road and traffic conditions. You will be asked 2 vehicle safety questions (known as Show Me, Tell Me questions) from the list at the bottom of this page. You will be asked to carry out 1 manoeuvre from the following list, and you may be asked to do an emergency stop:
The Manoeuvres:
Reverse park on the road (often called a 'Parallel Park').
Reverse into a parking bay.
Drive forwards into a parking bay.
Stop near the right hand kerb and reverse for approximately 2 car lengths.
During the test your examiner will record any mistakes you make in one of these 3 categories:
Driver Faults (sometimes called minor faults)
Serious Faults
Dangerous Faults
To pass your driving test, you must have made 15 or fewer driver faults, and made no serious or dangerous faults. Your instructor will be able to help you understand what sort of mistakes fall into each category.