Learning to drive is often a landmark goal in many people's life, and can fulfil a desire to become more independent and take on more responsibility. However, there are a few things you'll need to do before you get behind the wheel. Firstly, you must apply for a provisional driving licence; you can do this up to 3 months before your 17th birthday, although it will not become valid until the day of your birthday itself.

Once you've got your licence, you will then have a number of options: you can take driving lessons with a registered approved driving instructor, an experienced family member or friend, or preferably, a combination of both. When you can drive safely without prompting from your instructor, you will be ready to take your driving test. This consists of a theory section and practical driving test, both of which are set by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Although everyone gets nervous about taking these tests, it can help a great deal if you know exactly what you'll be facing before you take them. In this section, we aim to guide you through all aspects of both the theory and the practical tests, including details of how to book and what to expect when you arrive.

Once you've passed your test, you may want to consider gaining more experience by attending a Pass Plus course or by taking an Advanced Driving test. Not only will this additional experience help you to reduce the risk of being involved in a traffic accident, they will also help to reduce the cost of your car insurance premiums.