Lessons
Before you start to drive, you must obtain a provisional driving licence. For details of how and where to apply click here.
To be eligible for a provisional licence to drive a car, you must at least 17 years old (16 if you are registered disabled). You can apply before your 17th birthday for the licence to become valid on that day.
Until you have passed your driving test, you must always be accompanied by a qualified driver who is over 21 years old and who has held a full driving licence for a minimum of three years. Ask the person you have chosen to read this page before taking you out.
Insurance
In addition you must be sure you are properly insured to drive. Lessons with an instructor will be covered by the instructor's policy, but if you practice (and I hope you will) in your own or a parent’s or friend’s car, you are responsible for ensuring you have suitable insurance.
Don’t take chances with insurance. If you have an accident and hurt someone or something and you are not covered, you may find yourself paying for many years. Worse still, you can finish up in prison. So get it sorted and, remember, that saying you didn’t realise you had to be insured will not get you off the hook.
Remember also that there are many things which can invalidate your insurance. If your car requires but doesn’t have an MOT, for example, your insurance may be invalid.
Your vehicle
As I’ve mentioned above, your vehicle must be legally roadworthy. So make sure it’s well maintained and that it has a current MOT if over three years old.
Your car must display a current road tax disc.
You must display L plates which are visible from the front and rear (D plates in Wales).
Drugs and booze:
No lectures. It’s just dumb to do either and drive - very dumb. Don’t do it.
