The goal
To get from A to B by car you need three things: a vehicle, a driver and a valid UK driving licence….
To obtain a valid UK driving licence you need to pass both a theory and a practical test…
To achieve success in both of these tests you need superb, professional tuition from a driving school such as Burley School of Motoring.
The details
You must be at least 17 years old to drive, or 16 if receiving disability living allowance.
You must also have a provisional driving licence, for which you can apply up to 3 months before your 17th birthday.
Application forms D1 and D750 are available from the Post Office.
The Driving Test
The theory test, which you must pass in order to sit the practical test, is in two parts: a multiple choice section and a hazard perception test.
The practical test assesses your ability to drive. On passing, you will then be invited to apply for a full U.K. driving licence
More details on both the theory and practical tests can be found on this site’s
The Test page.
Choosing Your Instructor
Your attitude to your driving and to other road users is critical.
We all make mistakes. The way you conduct yourself when this happens in the early stages of learning to drive is influenced by the way you are taught – so finding the right professional instructor is vital.
You need to make sure that your chosen instructor is registered with the Driving Standards Agency. It has a strict code of practice, to which instructors must adhere.
You have a choice of using either a fully qualified instructor or a trainee.
Lessons and practice
Regular, structured lessons are by far the best way to learn to drive. Once your confidence improves, backing up your lessons with regular practice is an excellent way to continue learning. There are some legal requirements to bear in mind:
-
The vehicle you are using must have a current road fund licence certificate.
-
It must carry a current MOT certificate and be roadworthy.
-
You must be insured to drive that vehicle.
-
The supervising driver must be at least 21 years of age and have held a full driving licence for at least 3 years for the vehicle being used. The supervising driver must also be insured to drive the vehicle being used.
-
The vehicle must display legally-sized “L” plates on the front and rear and they must be clearly visible. When the vehicle is been driven by a full licence holder then the “L” plates must be removed, or covered up.
