Getting Started as a Learner

Before you start to drive, you must hold a valid, provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland.   Normally, for car drivers, the earliest date your provisional licence can become valid is your 17th birthday. You can apply for the licence up to three months before your 17th birthday. However, you will still have to wait until your birthday before you can take your theory test.   Once your provisional licence becomes valid, you can start learning to drive. You are also eligible to take the take your theory test (see “The Driving Test”). If you are interested in learning with GX-L, then please give me a call.

Eyesight

Before you begin learning to drive, it is important you are aware of the eyesight requirements. If you need to wear glasses or corrective lenses to meet the requirements, you must wear them every time you drive. 

Private Practice

Private practice is a great way to increase your driving experience. The best way to learn to drive,  is by taking professional lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). In addition to your professional lessons, you would largely benefit from being supported by private practice, supervised by a parent or friend. This helps the learner driver to develop their skills even further, as well as putting into practice what they have been taught in the professional lessons. The accompanying driver must be over the age of 21 years old, and needs to have held (and still hold) a full licence in the relevant vehicle category for three years.

Government figures show that on average those who have passed the practical test, have had around 45 professional lessons and around 20 hours of private practice.

Disability Living Allowance

.

If you are receiving disability living allowance at the higher rate, your provisional licence will come into effect when you are 16. However, you can apply for your provisional licence three months before your 16th birthday. 

Useful Links

Directgov - Applying for a provisional driving licence.

Directgov - Driving eyesight requirements