Before you start driving

 

 

The legal stuff you need to know

 

Before your first driving lesson...

 

It is an offence to drive on UK roads without a provisional driving licence. You must obey certain rules, they are:

 

• You must hold a current UK driving licence, which consists of two parts, a Photo card and a paper documents, that lists any driving convictions you have.
• You must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old for disabilities).
• Display an 'L' Plate on the front and rear of the vehicle.
• You must have a qualified supervising driver who is at least aged 21, with at least 3 years experience, or more.
• The car you drive, must be roadworthy, have a valid road fund licence (Tax disc), MOT (if more than three years old) and be insured for you to drive it.
• If you are a foreign national that has come from outside the EC, you must apply for a UK provisional licence after 12 months from when you arrived in this country. Anyone that has come from within the EC, can apply for an exchange licence

 

There are two of ways you can apply for your first licence; online, providing you meet the following conditions:

 

• are a resident of Great Britain
• can meet the minimum age requirement
• can meet the minimum eyesight requirement
• are currently not prevented from driving for any reason
• can pay £50.00 by Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Electron, Delta or Solo debit or credit card
• have a valid UK passport or another form of identity
• can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three years

 

or by post. Further details can be found here.