You must be at least 17 years old to begin driving a car in the UK. However, you can apply for your provisional licence up to three months before your 17th birthday. You won’t be able to start lessons until your provisional licence is valid.

Before you can take driving lessons, you’ll need:

A valid UK provisional driving licence.

To ensure you can read a car number plate from 20 metres away, meeting the eyesight requirements.

To be at least 17 years old (16 if you’re learning to drive a moped or light quad bike).

The DVSA recommends around 45 hours of professional lessons, plus an additional 22 hours of private practice. The actual number can vary depending on your confidence, learning speed, and frequency of lessons.

Yes! Most driving schools offer both manual and automatic driving lessons. Be aware that if you pass your test in an automatic car, your licence will only allow you to drive automatic vehicles.

The UK driving test includes three parts:

Eyesight check
‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
Practical driving test, which includes general driving, reversing manoeuvres, and potentially an emergency stop. It lasts about 40 minutes and includes 20 minutes of independent driving using either sat-nav or traffic signs.

You can book both your theory test and practical driving test through the official GOV.UK website. Your driving instructor can also guide you on the best time to book, based on your readiness.