In fact, it can be taken anytime after you receive your driving licence number from your provisional licence. The theory test must be taken before your practical test. In order to acquire a UK driving licence, you must pass both a theory test and a practical test. (Just make sure you don’t pick up any of the bad habits we all inevitably pick up after we’ve passed our tests). If you’re really struggling with the costs, there’s always the friends and family supervision option. To save money, it’s worth shopping around for driving instructors to see if they offer lesson packages. They must also have held their driving licence for at least 3 years.Īccording to the RAC, the average person needs around 45 hours of driving lessons and a further 22 hours of practice before they’re ready to take their test. They must be 21 years old or older and qualified to drive the vehicle you’re driving in. Alternatively, you can choose to learn under the supervision of friends and family.
You can choose to use a professional driving instructor, with lessons roughly costing between £25-30 an hour. Once you’ve received your provisional licence, it’s time to learn to drive. Once your identity has been successfully confirmed, you should receive your provisional licence within 3 weeks. You’ll need to provide an identity document, your national insurance number and any addresses you’ve lived at for the last 3 years. You’ll also need to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. You’ll need to be at least 15 years and 9 months old. To apply, simply head to the Gov.uk website. If you don’t already hold a driving licence issued in another country, you will need to apply for your first provisional UK driving licence to legally drive a moped, motorbike or car in the UK. Bear in mind though- your driving licence will expire once you turn 70 or you’ve been a UK resident for three years (whichever is longer). You won’t be required to exchange your documents or retake your driving test. Those with a licence issued in the EU/EEA nations can drive until their document expires. This may mean having to take (and pass) the DVSA’s UK driving test.Īnd there’s better news for holders of an EU driving licence. After this period, you’ll be required to exchange your documents for a UK driving licence. This applies to designated countries, which include Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe. Any person with a valid driving licence in their country of origin can legally drive in the UK for at least 12 months. If you already have a driving licence issued in another country, you’re in luck. Can I use my existing driving licence in the UK? So if you wear glasses or contacts, make sure you’re, you know, actually wearing them. You’re also legally required to be able to read a licence plate from 20 metres away. This means all foreign nationals need to prove they’ve been living in the country at a permanent address for a minimum of 183 days in the last 12 months. In order to apply for a UK driving licence, you need to be at least 17 years old. What do I need to get a UK driving licence?
Here’s how to get your UK driver’s licence. In fact, it’s estimated that almost one in six jobs require a UK driving licence. If you have a UK driving licence, you’ll be a much more eligible candidate for potential jobs. Not only does it get you from A to B and give you a newfound sense of freedom, but driving can also massively help you with potential job prospects.
Not to mention roundabouts, the ‘no-no’ of hogging a middle lane and fines for warning other drivers about potential police speed traps.īut it’s worth it. The UK has many.įrom fines for driving too slow to a ban on parking on London pavements, there are many obscure offences that could catch you out. Anybody who has recently moved here may well be baffled by its odd rules of the road. Driving in the UK can be a bit of a minefield.