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Learning to Drive
Before you start
So you want to drive - but before you take the driver's seat, have you decided whether you want to drive bike or a car?
- You can ride a moped when you are 16 but you have to wait until you are 17 if you want to drive a car or a motorcycle.
- You cannot legally drive until you have received your provisional licence.
| Provisional Licence | |
| What is a provisional licence? | It's the type of licence issued to all learner drivers |
| How much does it cost? | £21 |
| How do you get one? | Get form D1 from a Post Office and send it to DVLA Swansea SA99 1AD with your £21. You will get your licence about three weeks later. Click Here for a sample of the form as a Word document. |
| How long does a provisional licence last? | Car licences normally last until your 70th birthday. After that you must renew your licence every three years. Provisional licences for motorcycles last for two years. If you have not passed your test in these two years, you must wait a year before you can renew your licence. |
| What does it look like? | At the moment the provisional licence is a green paper licence that you keep in a plastic wallet. From Mid-August 1998, photo card licences are being introduced. When you get it - sign it! When you are 17, category B is added. You can ask for this to be done automatically. (B = motor cars or light vans with up to 8 passenger seats.) If you are driving a car, you must have a qualified driver with a British, aged over 21, with at least three years experience, in the front passenger seat of the car. If you want to ride a motorcycle you must ask for category A to be added to your licence. |
| What does it allow you to drive? | If you are 16, it allows you drive vehicles from categories F, K and P - but you cannot take passengers on a moped. (P = mopeds, F = agricultural tractors, K = mowing machines) |
| Can anything stop you getting one? | Certain medical conditions may stop you getting a licence. Your eyesight is particularly important. There are health-related questions on the application form that give the Licensing Authority more information about you. If you have a particular problem, they might ask for extra medical info but it doesn't mean you won't get a licence. |
For more information
- see the DVLA's (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency) web site http://www.open.gov.uk/dvla/applydl.htm
- get form D100 from a major post office
- Telephone the Customer Enquiries Unit at DVLA on 01792 772151
- Write to DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL.
Lessons
Mopeds and Motorcycles
From 1 January 1997, all learner moped and motorcycle riders must complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course before riding a moped or motorcycle on the road. This is a short course that covers basic bike handling and road awareness. Cycle dealers have information about all local courses.
Things to think about
- A provisional licence allows you to ride motorbike or moped for up to two years
- If you want to continue to ride beyond two years, you must pass a Department of Transport test
- A motorcycle driving instructor will help you prepare for the test (look in yellow pages or ask a cycle dealer for a list of names)
- Many offer 1-hour lessons. The lessons should involve Compulsory Basic Training Part 2 and theory practice
http://www.open.gov.uk/dvla/rdmcycle.htm
Cars
Any car you take on the road must be licensed, taxed and insured for you to drive. To drive a car on a provisional licence, a supervisor who is at least 21 years old and has had a full British car licence for at least 3 years must accompany you.
You must display an 'L' plate on the front and back of the car. You can buy these from a car accessory shop.
Things to think about
- There is no time limit on your provisional licence but if you want to drive a car unsupervised you must pass a Department of Transport test.
- The best way to learn is by having regular planned lessons with a good driving instructor or by attending an intensive course such as a week's residential driving school.
- Choose an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) who has a good reputation, who is reliable and punctual, whose vehicle suits you and who can help you with the theory.
- Decide whether you want to learn in a manual-gearbox car or an automatic-gearbox car. If you pass your test in an automatic, you can only qualified to drive automatics. If you pass in manual, you are qualified to drive manual and automatic cars. The majority of drivers take their test in a manual-gearbox car.
- Get as much practice as possible in between lessons with parents, friends or relatives (provided they meet the legal requirements).
- There is no rule about how many lessons you need. It can take anything from 15 to 40+ hours lesson time for you to get to test standard.
- Expect to pay around £15 per hour or more for a good instructor.
http://www.learners.co.uk/
The Driving Test
There are two parts to the test - practical and theory.
Motorcycle Tests
At 17 you can try for an A1 light motorcycle licence or the standard category A motorcycle licence.
- To gain a full A1 light motorcycle licence you must successfully complete CBT, pass your theory test, and then pass your practical test on a vehicle over 75cc but not more than 125cc. If you pass you can ride without `L' plates, carry pillion passengers and use motorways.
- To gain a full standard category A licence you must successfully complete CBT, pass your theory test and then pass your practical test on a motorcycle of over120cc but not larger than 125cc. If you pass you can ride without `L' plates, carry pillion passengers and use motorways. After two years you may ride any size motorcycle.
At 17 you can try for a full licence for a car.
To gain a full car licence you must pass your theory test first and then your practical test. (You must take your practical test within two years of the theory test). If you pass you can drive without `L' plates, carry passengers and use motorways.
Things to think about
- Make sure you have a car available on the test date.
- Choose a date and time that suits you and your instructor - you may need to book his car!
- If you want to book the test yourself, get a form from you instructor or Driving Test Centre
- It costs £32.75 for a weekday test and £43.00 for an evening or Saturday test (1998 figures)
- You don't get a refund if you fail!
http://www.learners.co.uk/tests/ptest3.htm
Pass the Test
http://www.joberns.force9.co.uk/
| The Theory Test | |
| What do you have to do if you want to take the test? | Your driving instructor will probably have a form or you can send for one from your nearest Theory Test Centre. Tel. 0645 000 666 for details of your nearest centre |
| When can you take it? | Any weekday or Saturday morning. You must take and pass this part of the test before you even apply for the practical test. |
| Where do you take it? | At a Theory Test Centre. |
| How much does it cost? | £15 or £25 if you want your results same day. |
| How much does it cost? | £15 or £25 if you want your results same day. |
| What do you have to in the test? | It is a written paper with around 35 questions. You must get at least 30 correct. |
| What sort of questions are in the test? | A lot of the questions are based on the things you learn when you are driving - rules of the road, traffic signs etc. Others are practical questions about your vehicle such as stopping distances |
| Who teaches you the theory? | A good driving instructor will teach you the theory or you may find an organisation, school or college in your area that has theory classes. |
| Is there a lot to learn? | A lot of it is common sense that you learn as you drive. Start by looking at the Highway Code. You can also get books or CDROMs to help you. (See Books and CDROMs below). |
Check out the Theory Syllabus at http://www.learners.co.uk/theory/theory3.htm
Or
Try the test on-line
http://www.learners.co.uk/thtest/
What next?
If you pass your test, then you need to apply for your full licence from DVLA. You need to complete another D1 form and send it to DVLA with £6.
Try to keep to the high standards you had as a Learner. You are particularly at risk from traffic accidents due to lack of experience.
Think about joining the Pass Plus scheme for newly qualified drivers, and take some Motorway lessons.
Have fun driving - safely and carefully.
CD-ROMs and Books
CD-ROMs
Visual Driving Theory Test
This software package will teach you everything you need to pass the Driving Theory Test
Published by Kosmos Software Ltd. Price £27 (approx.)
Books
The Highway Code
The learner driver's bible with rules of the road, traffic signs, road markings - essential for the theory test.
Available from booksellers and newsagents. Price 99p.
The Driving Manual
Practical advice about all aspects of safe driving.
Published by The Stationery Office for The Driving Standards Agency.
Price £12.99.
Know your traffic signs
Road markings, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and junctions and signs.
From booksellers and newsagents. Price £2.50.
The Driving Test
Lots of useful information about preparing for the practical driving test and the format of the test itself.
Published by The Stationery Office for the Driving Standards Agency. Price £4.99.
The Complete Theory Test
Official questions from the Driving Theory Test with answers.
Published by The Stationery Office for the Driving Standards Agency. Price £10.99
Organisations
Who does what?
Department of the Transport
The Department of Transport has responsibility throughout Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland) for policy on airports, railways, major ports, road traffic law and the Highway Code. It's responsible for the licensing of lorry and bus operators and the registration of bus services. In England it's also responsible for national roads, road safety, urban transport and traffic.
Web site http://www.detr.gov.uk/
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
The Driving Standards Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Transport. Its aim is to promote road safety through better driving standards.
Web information http://www.coi.gov.uk/coi/depts/GDS/GDS.html
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
This agency deals with vehicle licences (tax discs) and driving licences.
Web site http://www.open.gov.uk/dvla/dvla.htm
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)
The IAM is a wholly independent, non profit-making organisation that aims of improving driving standards road safety and provides an Advanced Driving Test.
Web site http://www.iam.org.uk/
Home Office Car Crime Prevention Web site http://www.carcrime-prevention.org.uk
Car-Hire Campus Travel
http://www.campustravel.co.uk/
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