To start on your journey of Learning to Drive you need to get your first provisional driving licence. This can be done either online for a moped, motorbike or car you can apply either online or by post.
To apply online you need:
Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online. You can apply by post by completing a D1 application form, which you can get from:
You must include:
The easiest way to check this yourself is to try to read a vehicle number plate (with glasses or contact lenses if you require them) on a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres. At the start of your practical driving test you have to correctly read a number plate on a parked vehicle. If you can’t, you’ll fail your driving test and the test won’t continue. DVLA will be told and your licence will be revoked.
If you do need glasses to read the number plate then you must wear them whenever you drive. You are responsible for ensuring that your eyesight meets the minimum legal requirements every time you drive. You have to take an eyesight test at the beginning of your test which if you fail your test is cancelled so it is important to make sure your sight is tip top!!!
Please visit our online shop. We have a variety of teaching aids available for you to purchase. We personally prefer the Driving Test Success All Tests CD Rom’s as they contain all of the information you ever need to become a safe driver.
To book your theory and driving tests you can either telephone or book online. The DVSA’s booking number is: 0300 200 1122 and is open weekdays from 8.00am to 4.00pm. Alternatively you can book your Theory Test at here or your Practical Test here!
Make sure you are in a fit condition to drive safely. You need to be healthy, and DON’T drive if you are under the influence of drink or drugs. Make sure you always read the label on any drugs purchased over the counter or on prescription. Also beware if you are tired as this can be very dangerous and never use a hand held phone whilst driving. We want you to have a safe and enjoyable time whilst driving!
L Plates must be displayed to the front and rear of the vehicle. Make sure they are secure and don’t obstruct your view. They should be removed if a full licence holder is driving the vehicle. L Plates can be purchased from our online shop!
A lot of insurance companies offer quite reasonable quotes whilst you are learning as you will be supervised. However, they then increase the price considerably once you have passed as you will be driving unsupervised. We would recommend that you try a pay as you go insurancewhilst you are learning such as Collingwood Learners Insurance or Marmalade Learners Insurance if you are going to learn in a Parent or Friends car. The policy is designed to run alongside their insurance policy and offering flexible and comprehensive cover for provisional licence holders. This means you will not affect their no claims bonus if anything should happen.
If you’re a provisional licence holder and you own the car, then they have insurance policies that may be more suitable such as an annual policy that will cover you on your own car, before and after you pass your test.
Once you have passed, you can then do your Pass Plus, which can help keep your insurance premiums down. The above companies also offer competitive Insurance prices when you have passed and you can build up your no claims bonus with them whilst you are learining.
The person helping you to practice must be at least 21 years old and hold a full EC/EEA licence for that car type for at least the last 3 years.
Ask your instructor for advice on what skills you should practice after each lesson. Practice should be on all different road types; in all sorts of traffic and weather conditions; and during the day and night! When you practice try to avoid causing obstructions to other road users and please consider local residents if practising manoeuvres. Make sure you practice lots of general driving as this improves your competence and confidence as a driver!