How Old Do You Have to Take Driving Lessons in UK

In the UK, you must be at least 17 years old to start driving lessons on public roads. But there are some exceptions. If you get the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you can begin learning to drive at age 16.

You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you are 15 years 9 months old. This licence becomes valid on your 16th birthday, but you cannot start lessons in a car until your 17th birthday unless you are on the enhanced rate of PIP.

You must also meet the vision requirement. That means you need to read a number plate from 20 meters away.

When you learn to drive, you must meet the vehicle requirement too. The car must have dual controls if you take lessons with an approved driving instructor (ADI) or a trainee driving instructor.

Only a qualified instructor with a green badge or a trainee with a pink badge shown on the windscreen is allowed to charge you. If you ever meet a not qualified instructor, you can report them to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

I remember checking my nearest driving instructors and looking at their prices before booking my first driving lesson with Driving Lessons Sheffield, a school that covers Sheffield, Barnsley, and other areas in South Yorkshire.

You can also practise with family or friends, but they must be over 21 and hold a full driving licence for at least three years. This licence must be from the UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.

They must sit in the car with you and be a suitable accompanying driver. If you drive without the right supervision, it is illegal. You could be fined £1,000 and get 6 penalty points on your provisional licence.

The law also says your car must be insured. As a learner driver, you can use your own car, or one that belongs to a family member or a friend. The car owner must add you to the insurance policy, or you need a separate cover.

When I was practising with my dad’s car, we made sure the insurance was updated before I drove on UK roads. Many learners in the area also search for driving lessons Rotherham, and schools like Driving Lessons Sheffield offer flexible packages there too.

When you practise, you must not use a mobile phone while supervising. You also cannot go on the motorway unless you are with an ADI in a car with dual controls. To get your full car licence, you must pass both the theory test and the practical test.

Once you pass, you can drive solo at at least 17 years old. Some students also choose Intensive Driving Lessons to speed up the process, while others go for Advanced Driving Lessons to build extra skills and lower insurance costs.

On 29-Dec-2023, rules still allowed 16-year-olds to ride a 50cc moped with a CBT. The moped must have a top speed of 30 miles per hour and display L plates. Riders cannot pick up a passenger or use motorways. I had friends who tried mopeds first before moving to cars.

If you want to download form guides to track your progress, the DVSA has them. You can also record progress with your instructor. If you are unhappy, you can even complain. This way, every lesson helps you move closer to your full licence.