Care Motoring

Find the Answers to your Learner Driving Questions here

So, you’re getting excited about learning to drive for the first time but the thought, although exciting, is also a little bit scary too!  This is because, at the moment, you recognise that you really don’t know anything at all, there is just so much to learn!  So, these FAQs are intended to answer some of the learner driving questions you may have before you actually start your driving lessons.  

When should I apply for my provisional licence?
When should I apply for my theory test?
How many lessons will I need to pass my driving test?
Why is private practice needed?
But the insurance is too expensive!

 

When should I apply for my provisional licence?

You need to apply for your provisional driving licence at least 3 weeks in advance of when you need it, if applying by post, as this is the time it can take to be processed, longer if you have specific medical conditions to declare.  You can also apply online, in which case the time taken may be reduced to about 10 days.  The cost is £50.  Apply online now. (Opens in a new window)   Back to top

 

When should I apply for my theory test?

You could start studying for your theory test as soon as you like, there are plenty of books and CDs/DVDs on the market to help you, then book to take your test as soon as you feel ready to do so, the earliest possible date being on your 17^th birthday.  Once you have passed your theory test, then you are able to book your driving test as soon as your instructor tells you that you are ready for test.  Do remember, however, that the things you learn for your theory test are all vital to your driving so, even though you may have passed your theory test, your instructor will still expect you to keep up with your knowledge of the Highway Code and other essential driving manuals, such as the DSA publication ‘Driving, the essential skills’.  Our Virtual Driving Instructor course includes references to the Highway Code rules relevant to the lesson you are studying, so that you will become very familiar with the rules as they apply to your driving on the public highway.  Back to top

 

How many lessons will I need to pass my driving test?

Every learner learns at a different rate, has different previous experience and varying opportunities to practise between lessons.  Typically, for a beginner with no previous experience, you will need around 45 hours with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and as much private practice as possible, so that you have lots of driving experience before taking your driving test.  Back to top

 

Why is private practice needed?

Without the opportunity for private practice, then you should expect to need around 65 hours with a driving instructor, although  reading the recommended books and visiting the websites we recommend for you should help to reduce those hours quite significantly.  However, you should be aware that this is only achievable if you are prepared to put in the work!  The learner who relies solely on their weekly driving lessons with their driving instructor, with absolutely no activities related to learning to drive in between time, will take significantly longer, and spend considerably more money, than the learner who takes more responsibility for their own learning.  Back to top

I don’t think I’ll be able to have any practice between lessons because the insurance is too expensive, and besides which, I don’t reckon my mum or dad will go for it!

For insurance, there are two companies I recommend, Collingwood and Provisional Marmalade, who will insure you personally, so long as you give them the details of the car you will be driving, but the insurance of the vehicle owner will not be affected at all.  This also means you don’t necessarily have to go out with the same driver each time, just in that same vehicle.  A big advantage of these insurance policies is that you can pay for just a week or a month at a time, stopping and restarting it as convenient to you, and you will be building up your own no-claims bonus at the same time!  Read more by clicking the insurance link in the menu bar on the left.