In order to learn to drive a car you must be seventeen years old and hold a valid provisional licence. You can apply for your licence up to three months before your seventeenth birthday. Once you have your licence you can book your theory test and sit it on your birthday.
You must hold a valid provisional driving licence before you get behind the wheel of a car to learn to drive on a public road. It is an offence to do so without a licence and you could find yourself with points on your licence before you get it, a delay in it being issued, a hefty fine or even a custodial sentence.
Is your car road worthy? Many people choose to learn in a driving instructors car so this should not be an issue. If you choose to learn or practice in your own car you must insure that all of the lights, the indicators, the brakes and the mirrors are all in place and working correctly. Any car that has been bought as used should be thoroughly checked by an expert to see that is mechanicaly sound and should have a valid MOT.
Remember to put your 'L' plates on, it lets other drivers know that you are a learner, and it is a legal requiement for you to display them until you pass your test. When you purchase magnetic 'L' plates don't buy the cheap ones as you will soon loose them and end up spending more on new ones, get the ones that have a full magnetic back.
When learning to drive you must not drive on a public highway without another qualified driver. The accompanying driver must have held (and still hold) a full licence for a period of at least three years and be 21 years of age or over.
As of the 4th of June 2018 learner drivers are allowed to train on a motorway when acccompanied by a qualified driving instructor in a car fitted with dual controls.
