How to Get a UK Driving Licence: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

To get a UK driving licence you apply for a provisional licence, pass the two-part theory test, learn to drive with an instructor and/or a qualified supervisor, and then pass the practical driving test. In Great Britain the provisional licence costs £34 online, the theory test £23 and the practical test £62 on a weekday (fees as of October 2026). Once you pass, you can drive on your own straight away.

This guide walks you through every stage in order, with the official rules and the practical tips that make each step easier.

The 5 steps to a UK driving licence at a glance

For a full budget, see our guide to the cost of learning to drive in the UK.

Step 1: Apply for your provisional driving licence

You can apply from 15 years and 9 months, so it is ready by the time you turn 17. Apply on GOV.UK; online applications usually arrive within a week. To apply you need to:

1. Be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away (with glasses or contacts if you need them).
2. Have been given permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days.
3. Prove your identity, usually with a passport or other photo ID.

Only use the official GOV.UK service. Third-party websites that "help" you apply often charge extra for exactly the same thing. Our provisional driving licence guide covers the details.

Step 2: Start learning to drive

You must always be supervised while you are a learner, and the car must display L plates (or D plates in Wales). You have two options, and most people combine them.

Lessons with an approved driving instructor

Anyone you pay to teach you must be an approved driving instructor (ADI, green badge) or a trainee instructor (pink badge). There is no legal minimum number of lessons. A good instructor will follow a structured syllabus and tell you honestly when you are ready. See how to choose a driving instructor for the questions worth asking.

Private practice with family or friends

Your supervisor must be over 21, qualified to drive the type of car you are learning in, and have held a full licence for at least 3 years. They cannot charge you, and you need insurance that covers you as a learner. Learners cannot drive on motorways with a friend or relative; motorway lessons are only allowed with an ADI in a dual-controlled car.

Private practice is the cheapest way to build experience between lessons. Read how many driving lessons you need to plan the mix.

Step 3: Pass the theory test

You need a provisional licence to book, and you must pass the theory test before you can book the practical. The car theory test has two parts, taken on the same day:

• Multiple choice: 50 questions in 57 minutes. The pass mark is 43.
• Hazard perception: 14 video clips with at least 15 developing hazards. The pass mark is 44 out of 75.

You must pass both parts in the same sitting. Your pass certificate lasts 2 years, so you need to pass the practical test within that window. Full details are in our theory test explained guide.

Step 4: Book and pass the practical driving test

Since 2026, only the learner can book and manage their own practical test on GOV.UK, and each booking can be changed a limited number of times. Our guide on how to book a driving test explains the current rules.

You drive for around 35 minutes, and the test includes:

1. An eyesight check (reading a number plate from 20 metres).
2. Two vehicle safety questions: one "tell me" before you drive and one "show me" while you drive.
3. General driving, including pulling over, a hill start and possibly an emergency stop.
4. One reversing manoeuvre: parallel park, bay park, or pull up on the right and reverse about 2 car lengths.
5. Independent driving for 20 to 35 minutes, following a sat nav, traffic signs or both.

You pass if you make no more than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults. If you don't pass, you can book another test at least 10 working days later. Find out what examiners look for in the practical driving test explained.

Step 5: After you pass

The examiner can send your full licence off automatically if you hand over your provisional licence. You can drive straight away, but you must be insured to drive without supervision.

For the first 2 years you are on probation: if you get 6 or more penalty points, your licence is revoked and you have to pass both tests again. Read what to do after you pass your driving test for insurance, P plates and confidence tips.

How long does it take? A realistic timeline

Because waits can be long, many learners book the practical test once their instructor says they're on track, then keep practising. Make sure you'll genuinely be ready by the date, as you can only change a car test twice.

Documents and details checklist

Keep these to hand as you go through each stage:

• Provisional licence (photocard): needed to book and sit both tests.
• Theory test pass certificate number: needed to book the practical (keep it safe; it's valid for 2 years).
• A debit or credit card for GOV.UK fees.
• Your instructor's personal reference number if you want to check their availability when booking.
• Learner insurance details if you practise in a family car.
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to read a number plate at 20 metres.

Common mistakes that slow learners down

• Booking the theory test too late. Practise questions early so you can book the practical as soon as you are close to ready.
• Only practising in lessons. Short, regular practice sessions between lessons help skills stick.
• Ignoring weak spots. If roundabouts or junctions make you nervous, ask your instructor to plan whole lessons around them.
• Using unofficial booking sites. They cost more and break the DVSA's booking rules.

Summary

Getting a UK driving licence comes down to five steps: provisional licence, learning, theory test, practical test and your full licence. Budget for the official fees, combine lessons with private practice if you can, and book only through GOV.UK.

Practise with Co-Drive

Co-Drive is an iOS app for learner drivers in Great Britain. It includes original theory practice questions written from The Highway Code (not official DVSA questions), hazard-awareness reasoning, practical test practice for show me/tell me questions and manoeuvres, and step-by-step driving lessons with spaced review. It is not affiliated with the DVSA and doesn't replace an instructor, but it can help you prepare between lessons. Find out more about Co-Drive.