Getting Started

If you want to learn to drive in the UK you must possess a valid provisional driving licence and you must meet the legal requirements.

Do you have your provisional licence?

Do you meet the legal requirements?

If you are confident that the answer is yes to both, get in contact and we will book you in for your first driving lesson, which is free.

If you are unsure, read on!

Legal Requirements

To learn to drive you must:

• be at least 17 years old. If you receive the higher mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for a disability, you may start driving at 16.
• be able to read in good daylight (with glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them) a motor vehicle number plate 20.5metres (about 67 feet) away.
• be medically fit to drive.
• hold a provisional driving licence or full licence for another category. Leaflet D100 contains general information on driver licensing and is free from the DVLA or Post Office.

Provisional Licence

Provisional driving licences are issued by the DVLA. To apply for this licence you must fill in application form D1 (obtained at most Post Offices) and send this to the appropriate office, detailed on the form.

When you receive your provisional licence, check that all the details are correct. Since 1998, provisional licences are made up of two parts:

• the licence (also known as photo licence)
• the counterpart (the green paper part)

You need both of these parts to sit your theory test and practical driving test.

Visitors

If you are a visitor to the UK, you�re allowed to drive on your current licence or permit for up to a year after your latest entry to the country. More information on driving licences can be found on the official DVLA site - dft.gov.uk/dvla