The UK Driving Licence

To get your first provisional driving licence online for a car you need to:

• be a resident of Great Britain

• meet the minimum age requirement

• meet the minimum eyesight requirements

• not be prevented from driving for any reason

• pay £34 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron, Maestro or Delta debit or credit card

• have a valid UK passport or other form of identity

• have your National Insurance number if known

• provide addresses where you've lived for the last 3 years

You can apply up to 3 months before you can start driving. You can normally start driving on your 17th birthday if you want to drive a car and your 16th birthday if you want to drive a motorcycle or moped.

If you're getting the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you can drive at 16.

Personal data

If you apply online you'll be agreeing that DVLA can check your personal data, including your National Insurance number.

DVLA will confirm your details with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). If DVLA can't fully verify your identity, you'll be told what to do at the end of the application.

To apply for your provisional driving licence online click here

Taking the Theory Test

If you want to drive a car you'll need to pass the driving theory test before booking the Practical test. There are 2 parts to the theory test:

• the multiple choice part

• the hazard perception part

Both parts of the test are taken on the same day. The questions in the multiple-choice part and format of the hazard perception part depend on what kind of vehicle you want to drive.

You need to pass both to pass the theory test.

You'll then get a theory test pass certificate. You'll need the certificate number when you book your practical driving test.

I offer assistance in helping you pass your theory test. I will set you up on a website that allows you to study for both theory and hazard perception tests.

To log into Theory Test Pro website click here

To book your Theory Test with the DVSA click here

Taking the Practical Driving Test

The practical driving test is designed to see if you:

• can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions

• know the Highway Code and can show this through your driving ability

As long as you show the standard required, you'll pass your driving test.

There's no minimum number of lessons you must have or hours you must practice driving before you take your test. There are no pass or fail quotas.

You'll need to have passed your driving theory test before taking your practical test.

The test will last for about 40 minutes and you will be asked to do one reversing manoeuvre and possibly an emergency stop. You will drive on a variety of different types of roads e.g. dual carriageways, country, town & residentual roads with varying speed limits and traffic conditions. The examiner will direct you around the route giving you plenty of notice when asked to turn left or right.

You will also be asked to do around 10 minutes of independent driving where you will either follow some road signs or be given a set of instructions to memorise and follow.

You will be assessed throughout the drive and will be allowed to make up to 15 minor errors but cannot repeat the same error more than 3 times. You cannot make any serious or dangerous errors.

Minor Errors – These are little faults that may have affected your driving or slightly inconvenience other road users.

Serious Errors – These are major faults that have largely inconvenienced other road users or are potentially dangerous.

Dangerous Errors – These are major faults where the examiner has had to take control of the car to prevent damage to property or danger to other road users.

To Book your practical driving test with the DVSA click here