Rules for learning to drive

You must have a provisional driving licence  when you’re learning to drive or ride.

You must be supervised when you’re learning to drive a car. This can be by a driving instructor or someone else who meets the rules, for example family or friends. The law requires that supervising drivers are over 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for a minimum of three years for the type of vehicle they are supervising in (for example: manual or automatic cars)

The car you learn in must display ‘L’ plates.

You can drive at any time, day and night.

You can only drive on motorways if all of the following apply:

• you’re driving in England, Scotland or Wales
• you’re with an approved driving instructor
• the car is fitted with dual controls

What happens during the practical driving test

The Driving Vehicle Standards Agency recommends that most learners take at least 45 hours of professional tuition lessons and at least 20 hours with friends and family. Everyone learning to drive is different, some will pass more quickly than others.

There are 5 parts to the driving test:

• an eyesight check
• ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• general driving ability
• reversing your vehicle
• independent driving

To pass the practical driving test you will start with an eyesight check and vehicle safety questions; one tell me question before you start the test and a show me question during the test.

The driving part of your test will last about 40 to 45 minutes. 

Throughout the test, your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test.

Prepare for your theory test

The theory test is divided into two parts: 

• Part A is the multiple-choice test comprising of 50 multiple-choice questions covering aspects of the Highway Code. The pass mark is 43 out of 50. 
• Part B is the hazard perception test consisting of a series of video clips of actual road hazards that need to be identified. The pass mark is 44 out of 75.