The steps to getting your licence

Getting your Provisional Driving Licence is the first step towards your full driving licence. There are certain requirements you need to meet to enable you to successfully apply:

• You are a resident of Great Britain
• You meet the minimum age requirement
• Your eyesight is of the necessary standard
• There is no reason why you are being prevented from driving.
• You can pay by credit or debit card (for online application)
• You have a valid UK passport or another formal form of identity
• You can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three years

The application form (Form D1) can be obtained from the Post Office or you can apply online from the 'Direct Gov' site.

You can also find costs for all licence types here

Although you may already be taking lessons or even be ready to take your practical test, you can not apply for your practical test until you have passed the Theory Test.

The theory test is made up of two parts; a multiple choice questionnaire and a hazard perception video test. You will need to pass both parts to get your certificate.

Only once you have passed this can you apply to take your practical driving test.

Multiple Choice

As of January this year, the actual theory test questions are no longer published. This means that those found in revision materials of any kind with give you an idea of the questions and answers to expect but will NOT be exactly the same as those you will face during the test itself.

This change was introduced to ensure you gain a better understanding of driving theory rather than simply memorising questions and answers.

Hazard perception

Before you start the hazard perception part of the test, you'll be shown a short video clip about how it works before being shown a series of video clips on a computer screen. The clips feature everyday road scenes and contain at least one developing hazard - but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

A developing hazard is something that may result in you having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction and what you need to do is identify these as early as possible to get as high a score as possible (max 5 per clip).

Read more about the theory test.

Book your theory test here.

Ok, you have your theory test out of the way so when your driving has reached a suitable level, you can look to get your practical test booked. How far in advance you'll need to book varies depending on the number of other learners applying at the same time.

You should not just go ahead and book the test before checking that a car will be available first!

An 'independent driving' section is now included as part of the practical test during which you will be required to follow signs to a particular location to see how well you deal without direction from your examiner.

There is now more detailed information on Independent Driving here.

Go to the official site for general practical test information or book your practical test online.

View the Official DSA Video