Learning to drive

Getting started

Before you start having professional driving lessons you need to be 17 years of age and have a provisional driving licence. A provisional driving licence costs £38 and application forms (D1 and D750) can be obtained either from the post office or the DVLA. Whilst you need to be 17 years of age to start learning to drive you can obtain a provisional licence up to 3 months before your birthday so that you’re ready to go once your party celebrations are over!

Driving tuition

The DSA states that, “those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training, combined with 22 hours of private practice. Candidates who combine professional instruction with private practice are also more successful on test."  Private practice with a friend or relative, therefore,  can be an advantage providing this is done in conjunction with professional tuition. The person who accompanies you must be over the age of 21 and have held their driving licence for at least 3 years.

In order to obtain a driving licence you will need to undertake 2 tests; a theory and hazard perception test and a practical driving test. You cannot however take your practical driving test until you have passed the theory and hazard perception test. At Ignition Driving School we will help you towards both these tests by giving you sample theory test papers and conducting mock driving tests. Please ask your driving instructor for further details on these.

Pass Plus

Once you have successfully passed your practical driving test you can then exchange your provisional driving licence for a standard driving licence, and whilst waiting for this to arrive you are able to drive on your own without any L-plates on your car. Driving on your own can be daunting at first and to enhance your hazard perception skills further you may consider doing the Pass Plus course, which involves 6 additional hours of tuition covering motorways, country roads, dual carriageways and more.