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Learn to drive a car in the UK - get a provisional licence, take driving lessons, prepare for your theory test, book your practical test

Who can teach you to drive, practising with friends and family, driving lessons, insurance, using L and P plates.

• Overview

  You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years and 9…

• Taking driving lessons

  Anyone you pay to teach you to drive must be either: a qualified and…

• Practising with family or friends

  You can practise driving with family or friends. Anyone you practise your…

• Using 'L' and 'P' plates

  You must put an L plate on the front and back of your vehicle so they can…

You can sit in and observe a driving test if you're 16 or over, but you cannot take any part in the test and you must follow certain rules.

• Updated: 6 February 2025

Advice for medical professionals to follow when assessing drivers with neurological disorders.

• Updated: 7 November 2025

When to book your car driving test, what to take with you, what happens during the test, major and minor faults, and what happens if your test is cancelled.

When you can be suspended as a driving instructor and compensation you can claim if you are not removed from the register

You may need to tell DVLA if you have Tourette's syndrome - download the correct form if you need to let them know.

Data about the number of theory tests and driving tests taken in Great Britain, pass rates, and the number of instructors.

• Updated: 1 January 2025

The rules for booking and managing car driving tests will change from spring 2026. Find out what the changes are and how they affect you.

• Updated: 3 February 2026

You do not need to tell DVLA if you have monocular vision and can meet the visual standards for driving