What age can I learn to drive
Am I old enough to learn to drive. Call 0800 612 76 77
What age must I be to start learning ?
Normally, for car drivers, the earliest date your provisional licence can become valid is your 17th birthday, however you can apply for the licence up to three months before your 17th birthday.
So, if you apply for your provisional licence before you are 17 you will still have to wait until your birthday before you can take your theory test.
You must hold a valid, provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
Make sure that any vehicle you drive is roadworthy and properly taxed and insured.
It is important to learn safe driving practice from the beginning of your driving career because bad habits are hard to break.
Before you learn to drive a new vehicle make sure you know about the rules and restrictions that apply to you. Different vehicles have different minimum ages and restrictions.
Rules for learner drivers (Check the DSA website for ages relating to other vehicles)
It is unlikely that anyone except an approved driving instructor (ADI) would have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly. Learning safe driving habits from the start will improve the safety of yourself and other road users.
If you want to practise your driving with an accompanying driver, the accompanying driver must be over the age of 21 and must have held (and still hold) a full licence, in the relevant vehicle category, for three years.
As a learner driver you must display 'L' plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) in a conspicuous position on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving.
You can take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid and this must be passed prior to the practical driving test.