Learning to Drive in Great Britain: Step by Step Guide

Photo: Luke Seago / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Learning to drive in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) follows five stages: get a provisional licence, practise with a qualified supervisor, pass the theory test, pass the practical driving test, then survive the risky first two years as a new driver. This guide is for learners aged 17 and over and the parents helping them. It sets out each step in order, with the current fees, the rules you must follow and links to a deeper guide for every topic.

Northern Ireland has its own licensing system run by the DVA, with a mandatory six month learning period from 1 October 2026. If you live there, read Learning to Drive in Northern Ireland instead.

Key facts for learners in Great Britain

You can apply for a provisional licence from 15 years and 9 months. Most people can start driving a car at 17.
A first provisional licence costs £34 online or £43 by post (as of November 2026).
The car theory test costs £23. The practical test costs £62 on weekdays or £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays (as of November 2026).
Your supervisor must be at least 21 and have held a full licence for that type of car for three years.
The theory test pass marks are 43 out of 50 (multiple choice) and 44 out of 75 (hazard perception). Your pass lasts two years.
You pass the practical test with 15 or fewer driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
Get 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing and your licence is cancelled.

The five stages at a glance

Stage	What you do	Cost (as of November 2026)
1. Provisional licence	Apply to the DVLA from 15 years 9 months	£34 online, £43 by post
2. Learning	Lessons with an approved driving instructor (ADI) and practice with a supervisor	Varies (set by instructors and insurers)
3. Theory test	Multiple choice questions plus hazard perception	£23
4. Practical test	About 35 minutes of driving with a DVSA examiner	£62 weekday, £75 evening, weekend or bank holiday
5. After passing	Full licence, your own insurance, two-year new driver period	Insurance cost varies

Stage 1: Getting your provisional licence in Great Britain

Who can apply

According to GOV.UK, you can apply for your first provisional licence when you are at least 15 years and 9 months old. You must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, and you must have been given permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days. You need a provisional licence before you can take lessons, practise on the road or book a theory test.

How to apply and what it costs

Online through GOV.UK: £34, paid by debit or credit card. You sign in and may need to prove your identity, usually with photo ID such as a passport. Licences applied for online should arrive within one week, though extra DVLA checks can take longer.
By post using form D1, available from most Post Offices: £43, paid by cheque or postal order.

The page on provisional licence rules, supervising and L plates covers the application in more detail.

Check what your licence covers and whether you are fit to drive

A car licence is category B. Our guide to UK driving licence categories explains what a category B licence lets you drive and tow. Two health rules matter from day one:

Eyesight: you must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres and meet a visual standard of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12), with glasses or contact lenses if you need them. See driving eyesight rules or try our number plate eyesight practice and the approaching car challenge.
Medical conditions: some conditions must be reported to the DVLA. Read fitness to drive and telling the DVLA.

If you have a disability, reading difficulty or other need, read about extra support for the theory and driving tests.

Stage 2: Learning to drive legally (Annex 3 of the Highway Code)

Annex 3 of the Highway Code sets out the legal requirements for learners in Great Britain. These are law, not advice.

The learner driver checklist

You hold a valid provisional licence.
You are supervised by someone who is at least 21 and has held a full licence for that type of car (manual or automatic) for three years.
The car shows red L plates that are visible from the front and rear. In Wales you can use red D plates, L plates or both.
The car is insured for you to drive. Insurance must at least cover injury or damage to third parties.
The car is taxed and, if it is more than three years old, has a valid MOT.

L plates should be taken off or covered when a qualified driver is using the car, unless it is a driving school car. Parents and friends who want to help should read supervising a learner driver. For tax, MOT, insurance and the V5C logbook, see car documents explained.

When and where learners can drive

GOV.UK confirms that learners in Great Britain can drive at any time, day or night, and the speed limits are the same as for full licence holders. Learners can drive on motorways only in England, Scotland or Wales, with an approved driving instructor, in a car with dual controls. The details are in learners and motorways.

Is there a minimum number of lessons?

Not at the moment. The Department for Transport ran a consultation on introducing a minimum learning period for car learners from 7 January to 11 May 2026. It asked about a minimum time between passing the theory test and taking the practical test, plus supervised hours and a set syllabus. As of November 2026 the outcome has not been published and no minimum is in force. Follow it in minimum learning period for learner drivers.

Manual or automatic?

If you pass in an automatic, your licence only covers automatics. Read automatic licence restrictions and how to upgrade to manual before you choose.

Stage 3: The theory test

You must pass the theory test before you can book the practical test. It costs £23 (as of November 2026), and you need your provisional licence number to book. GOV.UK says you must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the 12 months before the test.

How the theory test works

Part	Format	Pass mark
Multiple choice	50 questions in 57 minutes, including a short video case study with 3 questions	43 out of 50
Hazard perception	14 video clips with at least one developing hazard each (one clip has two), up to 5 points per hazard	44 out of 75

You must pass both parts at the same sitting. If you fail, you must wait at least 3 working days before taking it again. Your pass certificate number lasts 2 years, so you need to pass the practical test within that time or take the theory test again.

Theory test guides on this site

The 14 DVSA theory test topics

The multiple choice questions are drawn from 14 topic areas. Each has its own revision page:

GOV.UK lists three official books for revision: The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and Driving: the essential skills. The theory test itself is only available in English, Welsh or British Sign Language.

Rules of the road: the Highway Code topics to learn

The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Rules that use MUST or MUST NOT are legal requirements. Other rules are advice, but they can be used in court as evidence. The guides below follow the order of the Code.

Who has priority: the hierarchy and vulnerable road users

You, your car and the law

Speed, space and control

Junctions, roundabouts and crossings

Parking, lanes and road works

Signs, signals and markings

Conditions, motorways and emergencies

Stage 4: The practical driving test

Booking the test under the 2026 rules

Once you have passed your theory test, you can book the practical test on GOV.UK with your licence number and a card. The DVSA changed the booking rules in three stages in 2026:

From 31 March 2026: you can make only 2 changes to a booked test. Changing the date and centre together counts as one change. A swap with another learner also counts as one.
From 12 May 2026: only the learner can book, change, swap or cancel their own test. Instructors and other people cannot do it for you, and using unofficial services that scan the booking system for cancellations is not allowed.
From 9 June 2026: you can move a test only to one of the 3 centres nearest to where it is currently booked, or back to the centre you first booked on that booking.

If the DVSA changes your test, for example because of bad weather, your changes reset to 2. More detail is in driving test booking rules 2026, and when a driving test is cancelled or goes wrong covers refunds and complaints.

What happens on the test

The test includes around 35 minutes of driving. It is made up of five parts:

Eyesight check: read a number plate from 20 metres (new-style plates) or 20.5 metres (old-style plates). If you fail, the test ends.
Show me, tell me: one “tell me” question before you drive and one “show me” question while you drive. See all current show me, tell me questions.
General driving: different road and traffic conditions, but not motorways. You may be asked to pull over, pull out from behind a parked car, do a hill start or make an emergency stop.
One reversing manoeuvre: parallel park, park in a bay, or pull up on the right, reverse about 2 car lengths and rejoin traffic. See driving test manoeuvres explained.
Independent driving: 20 to 35 minutes following a sat nav the examiner sets up, traffic signs, or both. A wrong turn is not a fault in itself. Read independent driving on the test.

How the test is marked

Fault	Meaning	Effect
Driving fault (minor)	Not potentially dangerous, but repeating it could make it serious	Up to 15 allowed
Serious fault	Potentially dangerous	Fail
Dangerous fault	Actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property	Fail

If you fail, the next test date must be at least 10 working days away, and you pay again. Our practical test guides go deeper:

Stage 5: After you pass

Getting your full licence

If you pass, the examiner gives you a pass certificate and can send your full licence automatically if you hand over your provisional licence. You can drive straight away without waiting for it to arrive. If you choose not to use automatic issue, you must apply for your full licence within 2 years of passing. Before you drive alone, make sure your insurance lets you drive without supervision.

The New Drivers Act

For 2 years after passing your first test, reaching 6 or more penalty points means your licence is cancelled. Unexpired points from your provisional licence count. To get your licence back you must apply for a new provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again. Read the New Drivers Act explained.

The safety code for new drivers (Annex 8)

Annex 8 of the Highway Code is written for the first 12 months after passing, and notes that as many as one new driver in five has some kind of collision in their first year. Its advice, in short:

Avoid driving between midnight and 6 am unless it is really necessary.
Do not let passengers distract you or encourage you to take risks.
Do not show off or compete with other drivers.
Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs, and check medicine labels.
Make sure everyone wears a seat belt for the whole journey.
Keep your speed down, especially on bends.
Build experience before driving a high-powered car.
Consider further training such as Pass Plus.

New driver guides

Worked example: a realistic timeline from 15 years 9 months

This example shows how the legal rules line up. It is not a target, because how many lessons you need depends on you.

Age 15 years 9 months: apply for a provisional licence online (£34). Start reading the Highway Code.
17th birthday: first lessons with an ADI. Private practice once a supervisor aged 21 or over with 3 years’ experience is insured for you.
A few months in: book and pass the theory test (£23). The 2-year clock on your certificate starts.
When your instructor says you are ready: book the practical test yourself (£62 weekday). You now have 2 changes available on that booking.
Test day: pass with 15 or fewer driving faults. Your 2-year new driver period starts.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to learn to drive in the UK?

In Great Britain you can apply for a provisional licence at 15 years and 9 months, and most people can start driving a car at 17. Northern Ireland has different rules, set out in our NI guide.

How much does it cost to get a driving licence in Great Britain?

The official fees as of November 2026 are £34 for a provisional licence online (£43 by post), £23 for the theory test and £62 for a weekday practical test (£75 for evenings from 4:30pm, weekends and bank holidays). Lessons and insurance are extra and vary.

Can my parent supervise me?

Yes, if they are at least 21, have held a full licence for that type of car for 3 years, and the car is insured for you to drive. They must not use a hand-held phone while supervising.

Can my driving instructor book my test for me?

No. Since 12 May 2026 only the learner can book, change, swap or cancel their test. You can add your instructor’s reference number to the booking.

How long is the theory test certificate valid?

Two years from the date you pass. If you have not passed the practical test by then, you take the theory test again.

Can I drive on a motorway as a learner?

Only in England, Scotland or Wales, with an approved driving instructor, in a car with dual controls. A parent cannot take you on a motorway.

Can I drive straight after passing?

Yes. You do not need to wait for your full licence to arrive, but your insurance must cover you to drive unsupervised.

Sources

GOV.UK, “Apply for your first provisional driving licence” (gov.uk)
GOV.UK, “Driving lessons and learning to drive” (gov.uk)
GOV.UK, “Driving test: cost” (gov.uk)
GOV.UK, “Theory test: revision and practice”, “Multiple-choice questions”, “Hazard perception test” and “Pass mark and test result” (gov.uk)
GOV.UK, “Book your theory test” (gov.uk)
GOV.UK, “Driving test: what happens during the test” and “Driving test faults and your result” (gov.uk)
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, “Changes to driving test booking rules in 2026” (gov.uk)
GOV.UK, “Driving eyesight rules” (gov.uk)
GOV.UK, “Penalty points (endorsements): new drivers” (gov.uk)
Department for Transport, “Introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers” (gov.uk)
Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Introduction” (gov.uk)
Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 3. Motor vehicle documentation and learner driver requirements” (gov.uk)
Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 8. Safety code for new drivers” (gov.uk)