Requirements for your driving lessons

Getting your Provisional Licence

Before driving on a public road, you will need a valid Provisional Driving Licence. The Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) application form (Form D1) can be obtained from your local Post Office but you can also apply online from the 'Direct Gov' site.

You can apply for your first British provisional driving licence online if you:

Are a resident of Great Britain
Can meet the minimum age requirement
Can meet the minimum eyesight requirement
Are currently not prevented from driving for any reason
Can pay by Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Electron, Delta or Solo debit or credit card
Have a valid UK passport or another form of identity
Can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three years

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.

Your Practical Test - The Big Day!

The final step to obtaining your full driving licence is the practical test. Once your driving skills have reached a suitable level, and providing you have passed your theory test in the last 2 years, you can then look to get your practical test booked. How far in advance this needs to be done will vary depending on the number of others applying at the same time but this will be discussed with you when appropriate.

The 'independent driving' section of the test is a section where 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