Ready to get in the car and start learning? Whether you’re still at school or have just finished college, you might be waiting for the green light.
We know it’s hard not to feel impatient when your friends start driving before you do! As exciting as learning to drive might be, the rules surrounding when you can learn to drive are in place for a reason. Here’s everything you need to know before you get behind the wheel for the first time.
At what age can you learn to drive?
In the UK, you can start driving a car at 17 years old.
This includes the day of your birthday, so you won’t need to wait a single day longer!
How old do you have to be to get a provisional licence?
Even if you’ve turned 17, you need a provisional licence before you can legally take your first driving lesson. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides them for cars, motorbikes, mopeds and other vehicles.
If you’d like to be prepared, you can apply for your first provisional driving licence before you turn 17. There are some requirements:
- You must be at least 15 years and nine months old.
- If you don’t permanently live in Britain, you must be able to prove that you have permission to live there for at least 185 days.
- You need good eyesight: you must be able to read a car number plate from 20 meters away.
Can you take driving lessons at 16?
No. Young people in the UK must wait until they’re 17 years old before learning to drive. This includes taking lessons with an instructor and learning privately with family and friends.
If you work on a farm, you may be able to drive agricultural vehicles at 16 years old. You can legally apply for provisional tractor entitlement and take a tractor test.
What makes you eligible to learn to drive at 16 in the UK?
In England and Wales, you can learn to drive a car at 16 years old if any of the following apply:
- You’ve applied for or have already received the Personal Independence Payment – specifically, the higher rate of the mobility component.
- You’ve received the higher rate of the Disability Living Allowance for children since before you turned 16.
What are the rules for new learner drivers?
If you’re 17 years old and you have a provisional driving licence, you can start learning to drive! There are just a few rules to keep you safe on the roads, which we’ve explained below.
1. Supervision
Many new learners choose to take their lessons with a driving instructor but this is not a legal requirement. You can practise driving with family and friends but there are some rules surrounding who can teach you to drive. The person teaching or supervising you must be:
- Over 21 years old,
- Fully qualified to drive the type of car you’re learning in, and
- A full driving licence holder for at least three years.
While you only have a provisional driving licence, you cannot drive alone on public roads.
2. Insurance
You do need insurance when you’re learning to drive. This still applies if a family member is already covered on the vehicle too.
Before you practise in someone else’s car, you must make sure that:
- You’re covered by the owner’s insurance as a learner driver, or
- You take out your own individual learner driver insurance on the vehicle.
If you’re caught driving without insurance, you could be banned from driving, get an unlimited fine, and get up to eight penalty points on your licence. It’s not worth rushing the process. Be patient and wait for the time when you can learn to drive legally.
3. Using L Plates
It’s also a legal requirement to put an L plate on the front and rear of your vehicle. This ensures that other drivers recognise you as a learner driver, which improves your safety.
You can buy L plates from most hardware shops and larger fuel stations too. Many are magnetic but some are adhesive. They must have a red L on a clear white background and they need to be the right size too.
When will I be able to drive on my own?
You can only drive a car without supervision when:
- You’re at least 17 years old.
- You’ve passed your practical driving test.
- You passed your theory test within the last two years.
Do I need to pass the theory test to learn to drive?
No. You can start learning to drive before you’ve taken your theory test.
However, you can’t take your practical driving test until you have passed your theory test. Many learners like to complete it as early as they can and you can book online with the DVSA. You can take your theory test from the date of your 17th birthday.
Get covered with Learner Insurance from Tempcover
If you’re impatiently waiting to start your driving lessons, it’s worth getting organised now. Luckily, you can secure your learner driver insurance up to a month in advance of the date you’d like the policy to start.
You can get a quote online to secure the most suitable policy. If you’d like to find out more about what to expect when you can learn to drive, we’re here to help. Please feel free to get in touch and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
FAQs about when you can learn to drive in the UK
Is there an ideal age to learn how to drive?
The best age to learn how to drive depends on you and your individual circumstances.
Your daily routine, travel commitments, confidence and financial position all play important roles in deciding this. The best time to start driving is when you feel both emotionally and financially ready, since lessons can be costly.
While some teenagers learn to drive fast and book lessons as soon as they turn 17, you might not need a car while you’re still at school. If you live in a city, public transport could be much more affordable too.
How do you choose a driving instructor?
Along with knowing what age you can start driving lessons, finding a driving instructor is a crucial part of the process. Luckily, there’s nothing stopping you from doing this before you turn 17. Most instructors have a waiting list for new pupils, so it’s worth securing your spot early.
Many new drivers choose a driving instructor based on personal recommendations. It’s more convenient and cost-effective to choose one who works in your local area but, if you’d prefer to take an intensive driving course, you might need to travel further.
A good driving instructor should be fully qualified, reliable and someone who suits your learning style. They must hold the potential or approved driving instructor (ADI) certification from the DVSA. You can check if they’re registered online.
Is the driving age going to change?
The UK Government has no plans to lower the legal age for new drivers, so it’s unlikely.
This is largely because younger drivers are statistically linked to a higher risk of accidents and collisions on the roads. Young male drivers are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured than any other driver aged over 25.
We know that waiting to start your lessons can feel frustrating but it’s important to trust the process and remain patient. Once you’re learning to drive with an instructor, you should only book your test once you feel ready to pass.
