What do I need to be able to learn to drive?

To start to learn to drive, you must be:

• at least 17 years old (16, if you get the enhanced rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)).
• have good eyesight.
• have a Provisional Driving Licence.

So, if you wear glasses or contact lenses to see well, you must wear them whenever you drive!

Applying for a Provisional Driving Licence

You can apply for your Provisional Licence on-line, but you will need to have to hand: a credit or debit card, proof of identity, your National Insurance Number, and details of all addresses you have lived at in the last three years.

Alternatively, you can apply using the D1 application form, available from Post Office branches, or through the DVLA on-line request form, but this is slower and more expensive.

Do I really need to use a Driving Instructor?

It is our view that everyone should have at least some professional tuition as professional Driving instructors offer a service that friends and family cannot:

• The way people are taught to drive has changed over the years. We will teach you to drive a car in exactly the way a Driving Test Examiner would expect you to drive it.
• Our cars have dual controls, which may provide added reassurance during the early lessons.
• We have seen it all before, so we know exactly what will and will not help to build confidence and improve your driving skills.
• We know the routes used on tests, and we know the favoured places for doing the standard manoeuvres.

Should I also practice with friends and family?

You can be taught to drive by anyone over the age of 21 with at least 3 years driving experience, but we would recommend that you should only have lessons with a qualified instructor to begin with.

• Bad driving habits are very easy to pick up - especially when you start - but often very difficult break!
• Learning to drive can be a stressful experience, and can place a great strain on a relationship or a friendship.
• The car you use will probably not have dual controls.

Once you have some experience, getting extra practice can be really helpful. But don't have too many people teach you to drive, or you may end up receiving a lot of conflicting advice.

When should I sit my Theory Test?

You will need to pass both parts of the Theory Test before you can sit your Practical Test. Although this can be done well in advance (the certificate you receive when you pass is valid for two years), we always recommend that you wait until you have had a few lessons before taking the Theory Test.

While the Theory questions are relatively straight forward, and all are available on-line and in book form to aid revision, the Hazard Perception part is best tackled when you have had at least some experience behind the wheel of a real car!

You can also buy software to use on your computer that will allow you to practice the tests – very useful, especially if you are not very comfortable using computer!

The Practical Test

In the 40 minute Pracrtical Test you will be required to demonstrate that you can safely and competently control a car in several different driving situations, amd perform several manoeuvres (which may include performing an emergency stop). To pass, you will have to complete the test without any serious or dangerous faults. Up to 15 minor faults are permitted, things like being in the wrong gear or failing to check your mirrors properly, but four minor faults in the same category will also result in a fail.

You will also have to answer two questions about vehicle safety. One of these requires you to explain how to check something related to vehicle safety (the "tell me" question), the other to demonstrate something on the car (the "show me" question). A full list of the current questions can be found here.