Rules for learner drivers
Before you start to drive, you must:
- hold a valid, provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland;
- make sure that any vehicle you drive is roadworthy and properly taxed and insured.
It is important to learn safe driving practice from the beginning of your driving career, because bad habits are hard to break. It is unlikely that anyone except an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) will have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly. Learning safe driving habits from the start will improve the safety of yourself and other road users.
If you want to practise your driving with an accompanying driver, that person must be over the age of 21 and must have held — and still hold — a full licence in the relevant vehicle category for at least three years.
As a learner driver you must display "L" plates ("L" or "D" plates in Wales) in a conspicuous position on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving.
Minimum age you can take a test
You can take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid.
Normally, for car drivers, the earliest date your provisional licence can become valid is your 17th birthday; however, you can apply for the licence up to three months before that date.
If you apply for your provisional licence before you are 17, you will still have to wait until your birthday before you can take your theory test.
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, but you can apply for it within three months of your 16th birthday.
Motorcyclists
Direct access scheme
Direct access is a scheme which allows a person over the age of 21 to avoid the two-year / 25 kW restriction by taking a test on a machine of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). A pass allows you to ride any size of bike. Any instruction given on a machine that exceeds the normal learner motorcycle specification must be supervised at all times by a certified motorcycle instructor who should be in radio contact. You should also wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions.
Accelerated access
Riders who reach the age of 21 while still within the two-year period where they are restricted to a maximum 25 kW (33 bhp) machine, but who wish to ride larger bikes, need to pass a further test on a motorcycle of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). They may practise on bikes over 25 kW (33 bhp) under the same practice conditions as direct access riders. You will revert to learner status while practising on a motorcycle greater than 25 kW (33 bhp), although a test failure will not affect your existing licence.