You might think that learning to drive starts when you have your first lesson in the car but there are a number of important issues to understand before that stage.

Firstly you must obtain your provisional licence and in the UK the minimum age to hold this licence is 17 years old. You need to apply for a provisional licence before you can start taking lessons. You can apply for the licence up to two months before your 17th birthday but you are not allowed to drive on the open road until your 17th birthday. You are required by law to display L-plates on the front and rear of your car so the public know you are a learner driver.

If you are looking to learn to drive a moped the minimum age limit is for a provisional licence is 16 years old but you must pass a CBT test before you are allowed to drive on the roads.

Once you have your provisional driving licence you can apply for your theory test. You cannot take your practical test until you have passed your theory test.

Theory Test

A theory test is an exam to test your road and driving knowledge with 35 questions in two sections; a multiple choice section and a hazard perception section.

The test has a variety of questions ranging from safety, hazard awareness, alertness, road and motorway rules, vulnerable road users, road signs and accidents. You must obtain a score of 30 or over to pass the test. This test can be taken a number of times with no specific waiting period required in-between re-tests and continues until you pass it.

There are no trick questions within the theory test and the questions are designed to test your common sense and knowledge of the roads which becomes crucial once you are driving.
Read your highway code repeatedly and take note of any road signs you are unfamiliar with.

Practical Test

Taking your practical driving test can be a nerve racking experience but the important thing is to not rush into it. Even if you passed your theory test first time, it does not mean you are ready to take to the roads!
Over one million people fail their practical driving tests throughout the UK each year and it is important to book it once you feel confident and ready.

Once you have booked your practical driving test ensure you get as much driving practice as possible before that date.

When the day of your test arrives you must take three documents with you to the test centre; your passport or another form of photo identification, your theory test certificate, and your signed provisional licence.
The examiner will then take you outside and ask you to read a number plate from 67 feet away to test your eyesight. Unfortunately if you cannot read the number plate you will not be able to sit the practical test so ensure you remember to take your glasses with you if you need them!

Once you have correctly read the number plate your examiner will run through the test process with you to make sure you understand everything.

Once in the car the test will last about 40 minutes and you will be asked to carry out two or three different manoeuvres and an emergency stop. You are normally required to undertake a hill start and an angled start too.

Fortunately you are allowed fewer than 15 minor driving faults providing they create no danger for other road users or pedestrians. However, one major driving fault could result in you failing your test so remember to take your time and concentrate.