Your first steps for learning to drive.
First Steps towards learning to drive. Applying for a Provisional Driving License
First Steps towards learning to drive. Applying for a Provisional Driving License
Before starting your driving lessons you will need to have a valid signed UK Provisional Driving License. This means a license issued by the Driving Vehicle & Licensing Authority with your name and at your current address. Click on the picture to go online to apply for a license. You can also obtain an application form D1 from Main Post Offices. Or by writing to Customer Enquiries (Drivers) DVLA Swansea SA6 7JL
Using European International Driving Licenses
Drivers with European Driving Licenses can drive in the UK with their License until it expires in their country. So long as the license has the Same Category of driving as the vehicle the driver is driving.
A European license can not be given points like a UK License so instead the fine will be larger. However please note, the license can be banned in this country by the police for dangerous driving.
A European license can be exchanged for a UK License by Clicking on this Link
Exchanging a Non-European License
Non-European drivers can drive in this country without a UK driving license for a maximum of 12 months. They will have had to pass the UK Driving License by the end of the first 12 months. I would recommend they start taking steps towards learning to drive in 9 months to give them time to pass the UK Test in time.
They will need to click on the heading above to find out more.
First steps learning drive Booking your Theory Test
Once you have got a provisional license you will need to train for your Theory Test
Download a Copy of the Highway code for free
Downlaod a copy of Know Your Traffic Signs for free
You can start training before your provisional license becomes valid. You could even take your theory test on your 17th Birthday. There are many theory test training websites I personally use Theory Test Pro.
Once you feel you are ready to book your theory test you can click on this link to book your Theory Test Online
Booking a Practical Driving Test
Once you feel you are ready to take your practical driving test you can go ahead and book your test.
Please click on the Header or picture for more information.
I would recommend that you get your driving instructor to give you a mock test. That way you can experience what the test is about and whether you are at Test standard
First steps learning drive Finding a Driving Instructor
An important step when learning to drive is to find a good Driving Instructor. 
When looking for an instructor you can always ask your friend and family. Whereas personal recommendation tends to be the safest way to find a good instructor. You could use the internet to search, I would recommend you click on the picture to get some special information. The link takes you to the DVSA website and you will be able to see which instructors are registered on the site. Furthermore, you will be able to see if they have agreed to work to DVSA’s terms and conditions of work.
Remember once you have started training with an instructor you do not have to stay with them. They might not be suited to you. Sometimes this might happen so that you or they might want or be able to continue to have lessons. When learning to drive it is important you feel happy and comfortable learning to drive. That way you will learn and remember better and have every chance of becoming a safe driver for life
When looking for an instructor you can always ask your friend and family. Whereas personal recommendation tends to be the safest way to find a good instructor. You could use the internet to search, I would recommend you click on the picture to get some special information. The link takes you to the DVSA website and you will be able to see which instructors are registered on the site. Furthermore, you will be able to see if they have agreed to work to DVSA’s terms and conditions of work.
Remember once you have started training with an instructor you do not have to stay with them. They might not be suited to you. Something this might happen so that you or they can not continue to give you lessons. When learning to drive it is important you feel happy and comfortable learning to drive. That way you will learn and remember better and have every chance of becoming a safe driver for life
Giving help to drivers taking their first step in learning to drive and preparing for a Driving Test
Please note it is alright to help family and friends to learn to drive. However, there are some rules and regulations that must be followed.
There is a difference between teaching and supervising a learner. Only a driving instructor can charge to teach someone learning to drive. (please follow this link to see the Law) Family and Friends can supervise a learner wanting to practice driving. However, only certain people can act as a supervisor when going out with a learner driver. (please follow this link to see the Law) The supervisor has to be over 21 years old. With 3 years of experience driving in the same class as the person driving. If a learner driver is caught driving without a supervisor there will be a fine of £1000 and 6 points on their license so beware.
When a learner is driving a car, it must have insurance for the learner to drive. Either as a named driver on the owner’s insurance policy or with insurance in the learner’s own name.
I would recommend a learner takes out insurance in their own name so that the car owner does not lose their no-claims bonus
When a learner is driving a car, it must display L Plates prominently on the front and back of the car. So that other drivers can see it is being driven by a learner. Technically speaking the L plates should only be displayed if the car is being driven by a learner or driving instructor.
Reflective Training
Along with using the Training Notes to revise and prepare for lessons. I would like to introduce another form of training that I have found useful to aid memory. It’s called reflective learning, it’s like doing the homework some students had at school. This is a little different instead of just writing about what you did in the last lesson. I would ask you to also write about what went well and what didn’t. After writing this reflective set of notes you could talk to your instructor and discuss how you could work together to make goings work better.
New Drivers Act
Students should know once they have passed their driving test that if they accumulate 6 points on their license or more. Then the license will be revoked and the student will need to retake both driving tests.
I have taught students that have already got 6 or nine points on their license and it was not revoked after passing their test. the examiner explained that if they were given only 1 point on their license then it would be revoked per the law.
Drink and Drug Driving
All drivers must be aware they have to be medically fit to drive. So even, at the early stages of learning to drive, drunk driving is dangerous.
Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink. This could mean you may get: 3 months imprisonment or up to a £2,500 fine or a possible driving ban. These are the rules however drivers can easily break the law without thinking.
Legal drugs that have been prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter could put a driver over the limit. Make sure you read the label and or ask a pharmacist to see if it is safe to take the drugs and drive.
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. Can cause you to get up to 14 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a ban from driving for at least 2 years, and an extended driving test before your license is returned. You won’t automatically get your license back if you’re a high-risk offender. Other problems you could face as a convicted drink-driver will mean your car insurance costs will increase significantly. If you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your license, you may have trouble traveling to countries like the USA
Please take care regarding drink and drug driving. I hope it is not necessary to mention that using illegal drugs is dangerous and unlike drunk driving, the effects of these drugs stay in your system longer and can become accumulative
Stopping Distances
I think that students who are taking the first steps towards learning to drive should know the expected stopping distances of the average car. Students should know that these figures are a guide because there can be many factors that will affect the overall stopping distance of a given car and road conditions
