You can legally apply for a provisional driving license aged 15 years and 9 months, but you cannot legally drive until you turn 17. In the United Kingdom, on average, a learner driver should have at least forty-five hours of driving practice with a qualified instructor as well as twenty-two hours of private practice in order to be confident enough to pass the official Driving Test.
Taking approximately forty-five minutes to complete, there are five separate parts to a Driving Test, which is the same for both manual and automatic cars, 1) An eyesight check, you’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of twenty metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate and twenty point five metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate, 2) ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions, 3) General driving ability, 4) Reversing a vehicle, and 5) Independent driving. Once you have successfully been passed fit and able to drive by a fully qualified Examiner you will receive your full Driving License and you can think about purchasing your first car.
Most new drivers in Gloucester and around the Country, will be advised to buy a second-hand car that has been checked over by a qualified mechanic. Once you have chosen and paid for your first car you must ensure it has a valid MOT Gloucester Certificate provided by an authorised MOT Gloucester garage such as http://www.123carandcommercial.com/mot-gloucester/, full Insurance cover, proof of road tax, and you must register your car.
From provisional licence to practical test day
Everything starts with a provisional licence, which you need before you can drive on the road with an instructor. A qualified driving instructor is usually a better choice than relying only on a friend or relative, because they know how to teach and you are less likely to pick up the bad habits that can cost you a test. Extra practice with family is still useful, as long as the person supervising is over 21 and has held a full licence for at least three years.
Before the practical test you must pass the theory test at a local test centre. It is split into two parts, multiple choice questions and hazard perception, so study the material well before the day.
Your instructor will tell you when you are ready for the practical test. Try to arrive relaxed: sleep well the night before, eat a good breakfast and get to the test centre early. The examiner will explain how the test works before you start, and if it does not go your way, take a few more lessons and try again.