The Minimum age for learning to drive in the UK is 17, and you can apply for your provisional licence two weeks before your birthday.
For those with disabilities and in receipt of mobility allowance the minimum age for learning to drive is 16.
To apply for your provisional driving licence you need to complete form D1, which is available from the Post Office or local BSM centre. You will need to enclose documents which confirm your identity, such as your passport, birth certificate, adoption certificate or travel documents from the home office.
A provisional licence allows you to learn to drive when accompanied by another driver, who must be over 21years old and have held a full British Driving Licence for at least 3 years.
There are two main parts to the driving test – the Theory Test (incorporating the Hazard Perception Test) and the Practical Driving Test.
You don’t need to pass the theory test before you start taking lessons, and it is recommended that you study for the theory test at the same time as taking lessons to consolidate what you are learning.
You cannot drive alone on the road until you have passed both the theory and practical tests.
TICKET to DRIVE says
February 21, 2011 at 12:34 amYou can have driving lessons before you are 17, some driving schools offer pre-17s lessons.
I used to teach pre-17s my self, the lessons take place on private land with the owners permission. Most instructors insurance will cover this activity.
It can be useful and give the pupil a head start but still not the same as being on the road with real traffic, we used to lay cones out as makeshift roads and junctions, reversing was practiced too.
Would recommend pre 17s lessons for anyone who wants a head start before their 17th birthday.
Uks Best Driving Schools says
May 5, 2012 at 1:40 pmHi ..would just like to add a correction to the above article ..you can apply for your provisional licence upto 3 months before your 17th Birthday, or 16th Birthday if receiving disability living allowance at the higher rate. On another note it would be interesting to add an article on how long it takes for the average person to be ready to take the practical driving test as there is a lot of confusion about this, …regards …roy
fancyAcar says
June 14, 2012 at 8:43 amCost of learning with a driving instructor can be expensive, so it’s worth practising in the car of your parents or friend to keep costs down. This should complement your learning cycle and not replace it though.