Getting Started
So, you want to learn to drive ....
Almost everyone wants to learn to drive a car as soon as they are old enough, but what's the best way to go about it ?
NOT 17 YET ?
You can't actually drive on the road until your seventeenth birthday, but there are a number of things that you can do long before that.		 Under 17
Theory Test

As you may know, there are now two separate tests that you have to pass before you can get a full licence to drive a car. There's the Theory Test, which is a computerised, touch screen test covering a basic knowledge of traffic signs, road markings, road sense, hazards, rules and regulations etc.

Then there's the practical test of your basic driving ability. Both of the tests are explained in detail in their own sections in UK Learner Drivers. You can't take the tests until you are 17 and have received your provisional driving licence but you can start preparing well in advance.

 Practical Test
 
You can start learning driving theory at any age ....

Your first step should be to buy a copy of The Highway Code (it's only £1.49p) and familiarise yourself with it. It contains lots of advice for all road users and a section on driving theory. There are many other books (even multi-media CDROMs) to help you learn the theory.

The best people to give you personal advice about learning driving theory are driving instructors. Don't be afraid to contact a driving school before you are 17. They won't charge you for a friendly chat!

 Learn the Highway Code
 

Our UK Directory of Driving Tuition will help you locate a driving school in your area which provides theory training and any other special requirements you may have. Many driving schools offer theory training courses which you can take BEFORE you are 17. If you are really keen to get behind the wheel, look for a driving school which offers starter lessons on private sites, where you can actually drive "off-road" before you are 17.

Our Off-Road section contains listings for driving schools which provide under 17 tuition.
 
The other things you can do before you are 17 ....
Apply for your provisional driving licence. You can do this up to two months before your seventeenth birthday.
When you are being driven in a car (or even in a bus), start looking at the road from a driver's point of view. Look out for traffic signs, road markings (do you know what they all mean?), try to spot vulnerable road users such as children, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders etc. Think about dangers and hazards and how you could avoid them. Ask yourself if your driver is too close to the vehicle in front.
You can, of course, learn to ride a moped when you are 16. If you do, the experience will greatly help with your car driving, but you will quickly learn what it feels like to be a vulnerable road user! Learning to ride a moped or motorcycle is not currently covered by this site, but we hope to add a two-wheels section later.
Too close
This car is about 3 metres from the one in front and travelling at 70 mph on the motorway. The stopping distance at this speed is 96 metres....
 

We hope our information about learning to drive will help you to become a good, safe, driver for life. If you have any questions on anything to do with driving, please feel free to contact us using the CONTACT button which appears on every page.
 

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