Circles

6 Essential Steps to Get Your UK Driving Licence

February 21, 2025

Last updated time: March 19, 2025

3 min read
6 Essential Steps to Get Your UK Driving Licence

How to Get Driving Licence in UK

Obtaining a driving licence in the UK comes with certain conditions that you must meet in order to apply for a licence in this country. These conditions are as follows:

  • If you are 16 years old
  • and can read a vehicle number plate from 20 metres away (this will be asked when applying online, but it will be tested during your practical exam to confirm this),
  • and you have been legally resident in the UK for at least 185 days, you can apply for a driving licence for Category B vehicles (ordinary cars) in the UK
  • by paying £34 online or £43 by post.

You do not need to have passed any driving tests to obtain this licence, and it does not allow you to drive alone or on motorways.

  • This licence permits you to drive Category B vehicles for the purpose of learning to drive, but during your training,
  • you must be accompanied by someone who has held a full driving licence for at least 3 years and is over 21 years old.
  • Additionally, a learner’s L-plate must be displayed on the car to indicate that the driver is in training. The licence is valid for 10 years, and if you do not obtain a full driving licence within this period, you must renew it.

After obtaining this licence, you can enrol in courses and training programmes that prepare you for the driving test. The topics you need to learn for the test include:

  • Learning the theoretical rules of driving on UK roads and motorways like road signs and Highway Codes.

  • Enrolling in driving schools to find qualified instructors who can teach you the practical aspects of driving correctly.

To pass the driving theory test, there are two types of questions you must answer:

  • multiple-choice questions and
  • hazard perception questions.

Once you have gained the necessary preparation through training courses, you can book your main driving test online.

  • After passing the test, you will still need to complete the Pass Plus course to drive alone without an instructor in the city with a full driving licence. You will also need to purchase car insurance for your full licence.

The Pass Plus course is a practical course lasting at least 6 hours, designed to help you improve your skills for safer driving. You can take this course at any time after passing your driving test, but it is recommended to complete it within the same year you passed your test for the best results.

  • Finally, as mentioned earlier, you must arrange insurance for your full driving licence.

Share Article

avatar

Steve

Senior Writer at UK Driving test theory

Steer Your Success: Dive into Practice

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer.

steer-your-success-image

Related posts

Crossroad Signage: 8 Essential Driving Tips for Safety and Confidence
4 min read
Mar 11, 2025

Crossroad Signage: 8 Essential Driving Tips for Safety and Confidence

Learn about crossroad signage, its purpose, and 8 essential driving tips to stay safe and confident at intersections. Master road safety tod...

author-avatar

Steve

Senior Writer at UK Driving test theory

Understanding the UK Highway Code for the Theory Test
4 min read
Jan 25, 2025

Understanding the UK Highway Code for the Theory Test

Discover key insights into the UK Highway Code, from road signs to driving rules, and enhance your preparation for the theory test and real-...

author-avatar

Steve

Senior Writer at UK Driving test theory

UK Road Warning Signs: Tips to Understand Them
3 min read
Mar 11, 2025

UK Road Warning Signs: Tips to Understand Them

Discover the importance of UK road warning signs, their types, and how they enhance driver safety by alerting to hazards, road conditions, a...

author-avatar

Steve

Senior Writer at UK Driving test theory