Question 1

How old do I have to be to get a provisional licence?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years and 9 months old.
 
You can start driving when you’re:
 
17 if you want to drive a car
 
16 if you want to ride a moped or light quad bike
 
Your licence will say when you can start driving different vehicles.
 
You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
 
You can apply for your provosional licence by visiting the .gov.uk website.

Question 2

What do I need to study to pass the theory test?

Accepted Answer

The three study sources that are essential to passing your theory test are the Highway Code, the guidance "Know Your Traffic Signs" and "The Official DVSA Guide to Driving - the essential skills". Thoroughly studying these three documents will provide you with the ability to pass the UK theory test. You can use the D.V.S.A. website to test your knowledge by clicking here.
 
It is NOT recommended to try to learn by just using the test as you may learn the answers to the questions by rote but you will not fully understand why the questions are asked or how they apply to the road.
 
It is also recommended that you read ALL parts of the Highway Code including the rules -
 
for pedestrians
for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters
about animals
for cyclists
for motorcyclists.
 
After all, if you do not know how these road users are going to behave on the road then how can you adapt your driving to suit?

Question 3

Are you a D.V.S.A. Approved Driving Instructor?

Accepted Answer

Simply put, yes. This information can be verified by yourself by visiting the .gov.uk website and entering the postcode LL41 3DU into the search box..

Question 4

Driving Eyesight Requirements*

Accepted Answer

Summary of advice from Direct Gov to drivers
 
Before the practical driving test, the driving examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle. The distance requirement for the eyesight test using old-style number plates is 20.5 metres or 20 metres if the new-style number plate is used. New-style number plates are easily identifiable starting with two letters, eg AB51 ABC. If you can’t speak English or have difficulty reading, you may copy down what you see.
 
The licence plate test
 
If you can’t read the first number plate correctly, you’ll be asked to read a second
number plate, if you can’t read this number plate correctly, you’ll be allowed to walk
forward until you’re just over the appropriate distance away. If you still can’t read the
number plate correctly, the examiner will ask you to read a third number plate and
will measure the precise distance from this number plate. The distance will be 20.5
metres if you’re asked to read an old-style number plate and 20 metres if you’re
asked to read a new-style number plate. If you can’t read the third number plate
correctly, and the examiner is satisfied that you don’t meet the required eyesight
standard, you’ll fail the driving test, and the practical test will not continue. This test
failure will be marked on the driving test report form (DL25).
 
Wearing glasses or contact lenses to meet the requirements
 
If you can only read a number plate using glasses/corrective lenses for the eyesight test, the law requires you wear them whenever you are driving and throughout your test. You’re not allowed to remove your glasses/corrective lenses when carrying out test manoeuvres (reversing etc). If you used your glasses/corrective lenses to read the number plate and take off/out your glasses/corrective lenses during the practical test, your examiner will remind you the law requires you to wear them; if you refuse
to wear them, the test will not continue. If you have broken, forgotten or brought the wrong glasses, you should tell your examiner at the start of the test. If you don’t tell the examiner and attempt and fail the eyesight test, your test will be recorded as a
failure and the remainder of the test will not go ahead.
 
Failing the eyesight test
 
Should you fail the eyesight requirement, the examiner will ask you to sign a form DL.77 – which acknowledges you were unable to comply with the eyesight requirements. The examiner (using form DL.77 form) will notify the DVLA that you did not meet the eyesight requirements and your licence will be revoked. To reapply for your licence, send to DVLA an ‘Application for a Driving Licence’ (D1) with a completed medical questionnaire V1. When your application arrives at DVLA they’ll ask the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to conduct a separate eyesight test for you at a driving test centre. If you’re successful you’ll still have to pass the DSA standard eyesight test at your next practical driving test.
 
* Optician. (2010) Driving and Vision. [Online] Available from: https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/rbi-communities/wp-content/uploads/importedimages/driving2.pdf. [Accessed: 6th October 2015].

DRE

Ysgol Ddreifio

Driving School

Delivering Real Experience

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do I have to be to get a provisional licence?

What do I need to study to pass the theory test?

Are you a D.V.S.A. Approved Driving Instructor?

Driving Eyesight Requirements*