Learn to Drive: The Complete UK Guide to Getting Your Licence

If you want to learn to drive, the process is clearer than it first looks. There are five steps: get a provisional licence, pass the theory test, take lessons, practise between lessons if you can, and pass the practical test. This guide explains each step, what it costs, and how long it usually takes.

You do not need everything planned before you start — just a provisional licence and a first lesson booked.

Are you eligible to learn to drive?

You can apply for a provisional driving licence from 15 years and 9 months old. You cannot drive a car on public roads until you are 17. Apply early so your licence is ready before your 17th birthday.

You must also be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away, with glasses or contact lenses if you normally wear them. Your instructor will check this on your first lesson. If you cannot read the plate, the lesson cannot go ahead, so test yourself beforehand if you are unsure.

See how to get your licence for the full route from provisional to full licence.

How to get a driving licence in the UK

Step 1: Get your provisional licence

Your provisional licence is your legal permission to learn. You need it before your first lesson and before you can book either test.

Apply online through GOV.UK for £34, or by post for £43. Online is cheaper and usually quicker. You will need proof of identity, addresses for the last three years, and your National Insurance number if you know it.

Do not book lessons until the physical licence has arrived, because your instructor will need to see it. Our guide to getting a provisional licence covers the form, photo rules and common delays. Keep it safe once it arrives — you will need it for both tests.

Step 2: Pass the theory test

The theory test has two parts, taken in the same sitting, and you must pass both. It costs £23.

The first part is 50 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark is 43 out of 50. Questions cover the Highway Code, road signs, stopping distances, hazard awareness and the documents and rules that apply to drivers.

The second part is hazard perception. You watch 14 video clips filmed from the driver's point of view and click when you see a hazard developing. Each hazard scores up to 5 points depending on how early you respond. The pass mark is 44 out of 75.

If you pass, your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years. You must pass your practical test within those 2 years or you will need to retake the theory test, so do not pass the theory and then pause lessons for a year.

You can start lessons before you pass the theory test. Most learners study alongside lessons, because what you learn on the road makes the questions easier to understand. You only need the theory pass before you can book the practical test.

Preparation does not need to cost money. Learn and Drive's free theory platform includes 6,500+ practice questions, 3D hazard perception practice and a 178-sign library. Work through topics in short sessions, then take timed mock tests. Our theory test guide explains the format in detail.

Step 3: Take driving lessons

Lessons are where you build the skill to pass and to drive safely on your own afterwards. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) quotes an average of around 45 hours of lessons plus around 22 hours of private practice for learners who pass. That is an average, not a target — some learners need fewer hours, some need more, and needing more is normal.

Look for a DVSA-approved driving instructor, often called an ADI. An ADI has passed qualifying tests and is assessed while teaching. Ask about the car, whether lessons include door-to-door pickup, how progress is tracked, and whether the instructor teaches near your test centre. If you would prefer a woman instructor, ask when you book — our guide to learning with a female driving instructor in Manchester explains how requests work.

You also need to choose between manual and automatic:

• Manual: You learn clutch control and gear changes. Pass in a manual and you can drive both manual and automatic cars. It usually takes longer at the start because there is more to coordinate.
• Automatic: No clutch or gear changing, so the basics are simpler. Pass in an automatic and your licence only covers automatic cars. For nervous learners, or those who need a licence quickly, that trade-off is often worth it.

Think about the cars you are likely to drive after you pass, your budget, and how you feel about gears. If you are undecided, discuss it with your instructor after a first lesson.

In Manchester, lessons with Learn and Drive start from £35 per hour, with manual and automatic cars and door-to-door pickup included, so the full lesson time is spent driving.

Step 4: Practising driving between lessons

Private practice can help you progress faster, because you repeat what your instructor has taught you while it is still fresh. It is optional — if you have no access to a suitable car or supervisor, you can still learn entirely through lessons.

The rules are strict and you must follow all of them:

• You must hold a provisional licence and be insured to drive the car as a learner.
• Your supervisor must be 21 or over and must have held a full licence for at least 3 years for the type of car you are driving.
• The car must display L plates clearly at the front and rear. L plates should be 178mm in size.
• You cannot drive on a motorway as a learner unless you are with an approved driving instructor in a dual-control car. A supervisor who is not an ADI cannot take you on a motorway.
• Normal road rules apply in full, including speed limits and mobile phone law. The supervisor must be fit to drive and must not use a mobile phone while supervising.

Practise only what your instructor has already covered. Do not teach yourself new skills ahead of lessons, because habits picked up now can be hard to correct. Short, regular drives on familiar roads help more than occasional long drives. Ask your instructor what to practise each week.

Step 5: Pass the practical test

The practical driving test lasts around 40 minutes. It includes eyesight and vehicle safety checks, general driving on different roads, one reversing manoeuvre, and independent driving where you follow signs or a sat nav.

You pass if you make no serious or dangerous faults and no more than 15 driving faults, sometimes called minors. One serious or dangerous fault means you do not pass on that attempt.

The test costs £62 on weekdays and £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Your instructor can usually bring the car you have learned in, so you take the test in a familiar, dual-control car.

Book only when your instructor agrees you are ready — meaning you can drive consistently without prompting, not that you had one good lesson. Ask for a mock test under test conditions if you are unsure.

Learning to drive in the UK: how long does it take?

There is no fixed timetable. It depends on how often you learn and how much you practise. The DVSA average of around 45 hours of lessons plus around 22 hours of private practice is the best planning guide. Our breakdown of how long it takes to learn to drive shows how lesson frequency changes the calendar time.

As a plain guide:

• One lesson a week: progress is steady but slow, because part of each lesson goes on recapping. Expect many months from start to test.
• Two lessons a week, or longer lessons: most learners progress faster, because skills stay fresh between sessions.
• Intensive courses: lessons compressed into days or a few weeks. Learn and Drive intensive courses start from £250. They suit learners who can clear their diary, but they are tiring and you still need to be test-ready, not just lesson-complete.

Test availability is the other factor. Talk to your instructor early about when to book, so your lessons and test date line up and your theory certificate does not expire. Consistency matters most: regular lessons and theory study in parallel.

How much does it cost to learn to drive?

Separate the official fees from the lesson costs so you can budget clearly. See our full prices page for current lesson options.

Official fees:

• Provisional licence: £34 online or £43 by post
• Theory test: £23 per attempt
• Practical test: £62 on weekdays, £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays

Lessons and courses in Manchester with Learn and Drive:

• Driving lessons from £35 per hour
• Intensive courses from £250
• Door-to-door pickup included
• Manual and automatic cars available

Your total depends on how many hours you need. The DVSA average of around 45 hours helps you estimate, but your instructor can give a better idea after your first few lessons. Avoid choosing on hourly price alone — a cheaper lesson is not better value if the teaching or local knowledge is poor.

Reduce waste by studying for the theory early, practising privately only on skills already covered, and keeping lessons regular rather than taking long breaks.

Ready to start?

Start with the provisional licence if you do not have one yet. If you already have it, book a first lesson and use it to judge the instructor, the car and the pace of teaching.

You can book now online or call 07966 587877 to arrange your first lesson in Manchester. Tell us whether you want manual or automatic, and whether you would prefer a female instructor, and we will match you accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

What age can you learn to drive in the UK?

You can apply for a provisional licence from 15 years and 9 months old, but you must be 17 to drive a car on public roads. You must also be able to read a number plate from 20 metres.

Do I need to pass the theory test before starting lessons?

No. You need a provisional licence to start lessons. You need a theory test pass only before you can book the practical test. Most learners study for the theory alongside lessons.

How many driving lessons will I need?

The DVSA quotes an average of around 45 hours of lessons plus around 22 hours of private practice. Your actual total depends on lesson frequency, private practice, and how quickly individual skills come together.

Can I practise driving with a family member?

Yes, if you are insured as a learner, display L plates, and your supervisor is 21 or over with at least 3 years holding a full licence. You cannot use motorways with a non-ADI supervisor. Motorway driving as a learner is only allowed with an ADI in a dual-control car.

How much does learning to drive cost in total?

Official fees are £34 for a provisional licence online, £23 for the theory test and £62 or £75 for the practical test. Lessons in Manchester with Learn and Drive start from £35 per hour, so your total depends mainly on how many lesson hours you need.

Should I learn in a manual or automatic car?

Choose manual if you want a licence that covers both manual and automatic cars. Choose automatic if you want a simpler start and only expect to drive automatics. Both are valid routes to a full licence for that vehicle type.