Requirements

Get your provisional licence

Getting your Provisional Driving Licence is the first step towards your full driving licence. There are certain requirements you need to meet to enable you to successfully apply :

You are a resident of Great Britain
You meet the minimum age requirement
Your eyesight is of the necessary standard
There is no reason why you are being prevented from driving.
You can pay by credit or debit card (for online application)
You have a valid UK passport or another formal form of identity
You can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three years

The application form (Form D1) can be obtained from the Post Office or you can apply online from the 'Direct Gov' site

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Pass your theory test

Once you have received your provisional licence, you can start taking lessons but you also need to think about taking the theory test. The theory test is is made up of two sections : a multiple choice and a hazard perception. Both of these need to be passed in order for you to get your theory test pass certificate. Once passed, you are then able to apply for a practical driving test but you obviously need to be able to drive well enough too!

You can get information on the theory test from the the Direct Gov site

You can also book the theory test online from the booking section on the same site

The Practical Test

Once your driving has reached a suitable level, you will be wanting to get your driving test booked. The timescale for bookings can vary one month to the next depending on the number of other learners applying around the same time. You should not just go ahead and book the test before checking that a car will be available first!

Changes to the practical test

October 2010 sees the introduction of a new 'independent driving' section of the practical test. During this section, you will be asked to follow signs to a particular location to see how well you deal with driving without direction from the examiner.

For more information regarding the practical test please go to the official site.

You can book your practical test here.

Official DSA Video