Are you ready to drive?

Being able to drive is a fantastic skill: it can give you the freedom to go where you want, when you want.

Learning to drive checklist

To learn to drive a car, you must:

  • be 17 years old.*
  • hold a provisional licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
  • be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away (with glasses or contact lenses if you need them, as long as you always wear them when you’re driving).
  • make sure any vehicle you drive is roadworthy and properly taxed and insured.
  • display L plates on the front and rear of your vehicle (L or D plates in Wales)..

L Plates

Any vehicle driven by a learner must display red L plates. 'You can get up to 6 penalty points if you fail to display an L plate.
  • be accompanied by a qualified driver who is over 21 and has held a full British car driving licence for at least 3 years.
  • Remember: the rules of the road apply to learners as well as fully-qualified drivers. Provisional licence holders can still be fined and given penalty points for breaking the law.

* In some circumstances, you may be able to drive a car when you’re 16, for more information see gov.uk

Learning to drive

Learn how to prepare for the practical test. Includes advice on choosing an instructor, as well as how to practice with parents and friends.

Learning to be a safe and confident driver

Good driving is not just about learning the rules of the road: your skill and attitude are important too.

A good driver:

  • is responsible
  • shows excellent concentration
  • anticipates and responds to hazards
  • is patient and considerate with other road users
  • is confident, but not over confident
  • keeps improving by learning from experience

Are you Ready to Pass?

For more help with learning to drive, visit Ready to Pass? and discover the skills you’ll develop with your driving instructor, and how to track your progress as you work towards becoming a safe, independent driver.

Become a Better Driver...

To find out why stress and anxiety affect your driving (and develop some really good strategies for challenging learner driver nerves!), pick up a copy of the The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving.

Better driving

Packed with practical ways to help you beat stress and become a safe, confident driver.

Next steps

So you've got your provisional driving licence.

Here are the recommended steps you’ll need to take to start learning to drive.

  1. Learning the rules of the road
  2. Theory test: preparation
  3. Theory test: booking and taking your test
  4. Practical driving test: preparing for and booking your test
  5. Taking your practical driving test
  6. What happens after you’ve passed your test?
  7. Choosing a car
  8. Further training

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