Before you can start driving lessons, you need a provisional driving licence.

You can apply for your first provisional licence online through GOV.UK. You can apply when you are 15 years and 9 months old, but most people cannot start learning to drive a car on the road until they are 17.

To apply, you must usually:

• be at least 15 years and 9 months old
• be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
• have permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days
• provide proof of identity
• pay the DVLA application fee

Once your provisional licence arrives, keep it safe. You will need your driving licence number to book your theory test and practical driving test, and you must bring your photocard licence to your tests.

You must usually pass your theory test before you can book your practical driving test. We would also strongly advise you to pass your theory test before you begin lessons with us. This will give you confidence as a new learner on the practicalities of the Highway Code.

The car theory test has two parts:

• multiple-choice questions
• hazard perception video clips

You must pass both parts at the same test appointment. If you fail one part, you have to retake the whole test.

The theory test is based on the Highway Code, road signs, road safety, hazard awareness and responsible driving. It is worth starting theory practice early, rather than leaving it until the last minute.

When you book your theory test, use the official GOV.UK service. You will need your UK driving licence number, an email address and a debit or credit card.

You must take your photocard driving licence with you to the theory test. If you forget it, your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back.

Your theory test pass certificate lasts for 2 years. You must pass your practical driving test within that time, or you will need to pass the theory test again.

You must not drive on public roads until you have a valid provisional licence and you are legally allowed to drive.

When learning in a car, you must:

• be supervised by an approved driving instructor, trainee driving instructor, or another suitable qualified driver
• display L plates clearly on the front and back of the car
• drive a car that is taxed, insured, roadworthy and has a valid MOT if it needs one
• meet the eyesight rules
• follow the Highway Code

If you are learning with family or friends, the person supervising you must be at least 21, must be qualified to drive the type of car you are driving, must have held a full licence for at least 3 years, and must not be banned from driving.

If you are practising in your own car, or someone else’s car outside lessons, you must make sure the insurance covers you as a learner driver. Driving without insurance is a serious offence.

You must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. You can wear glasses or contact lenses if you need them, but you must wear them every time you drive.

At the start of your practical driving test, the examiner will ask you to read a number plate. If you cannot do this, the test will end and you will fail.

You must also tell DVLA about any medical condition or disability that could affect your ability to drive safely. This can include conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes treated with insulin, fainting, some heart conditions, sleep apnoea, strokes, glaucoma and other eyesight problems.

If you are unsure whether a condition needs to be reported, check the official DVLA guidance before driving. Not telling DVLA about a relevant medical condition can lead to a fine and could also affect your insurance.

Field’s teaches automatic driving lessons only.

If you pass your practical test in an automatic car, your full licence will allow you to drive automatic and semi-automatic cars. It will not allow you to drive a manual car.

If you later decide you want to drive a manual car, you would need to take and pass a manual practical driving test. You would not normally need to take the theory test again just to upgrade from automatic to manual.

Professional lessons delivered by Field’s help you learn safely and build the skills needed for real driving, not just for passing the test. Your instructor will help you work through the main areas of driving, including:

• moving off and stopping safely
• junctions, roundabouts and crossroads
• meeting, crossing and overtaking traffic
• dual carriageways
• parking and reversing
• independent driving
• using mirrors correctly
• planning ahead and spotting hazards
• driving safely in different road, traffic and weather conditions

Private practice with family or friends can be helpful, but it should support your lessons rather than replace them. It is best to speak to your instructor before starting private practice so you know what to work on and what roads are suitable for your current level.

Learner drivers can only drive on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales if they are with an approved driving instructor and the car has dual controls. You cannot practise on motorways with a parent, friend or family member.

You can book your practical driving test once you have passed your theory test, but passing the theory test does not automatically mean you are ready for the practical test. You should be able to drive safely and independently, without needing prompts or help.

Only book your practical test when your Field’s instructor agrees that you have reached test standard, we will not accompany you to the test or provide the use of our cars until we are satisfied you are ready.

The practical test is not just about performing a few set manoeuvres. You need to show that you can drive safely in normal road and traffic conditions and apply the Highway Code while driving.

Driving test booking rules changed in 2026.

You must book your own car driving test through GOV.UK [here]

Your driving instructor, a driving school, a parent, a friend, a cancellation app or a third-party booking company is not allowed to book it for you.

When booking, you will need:

• your UK driving licence number
• a debit or credit card
• your instructor’s personal reference number, if you want to check their availability

You can book a test up to 24 weeks in advance. There is no official waiting list or official cancellation list.

Before booking, speak to your instructor. You should agree:

• whether you are likely to be ready by the test date
• which test centre you should use, we will only normally accompany you to centres within our catchment area, which are: West Wickham, Bromley, Morden and Mitcham)
• whether your instructor and car are available
• whether you should enter your instructor’s reference number when booking

It is important to book at a test centre you genuinely intend to use. New rules limit where you can move your test if you change it later.

For car driving tests, you can now only change your appointment 2 times. After that, if you need another change, you will usually have to cancel and rebook.

If you change your test centre, you can only move it to a nearby eligible centre under the DVSA rules. This is intended to stop people booking any test anywhere and then repeatedly moving it around.

You must give at least 10 full working days’ notice to change or cancel a car driving test without losing your test fee. Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not.

If you change or cancel too late, you will usually have to pay again unless you have an accepted reason, such as illness, bereavement, a school or college exam, or your licence being stolen. You will need evidence.

GOV.UK is the only official driving test booking service.

Since 12 May 2026, only the learner driver can book and manage their own car driving test. Third parties are not allowed to book a test for you. This includes unofficial test booking services, cancellation finder apps, driving instructors and anyone else acting on your behalf.

Using third-party apps, bots or automated services is also against the DVSA booking system’s terms and conditions.

If DVSA believes the booking system has been misused, it may take action. This can include:

• contacting the learner to check the booking details
• asking for more information
• issuing a warning
• removing access to book or manage tests online
• rescheduling or cancelling a booking
• reporting attempts to gain unauthorised access to law enforcement

Do not give your driving licence number, booking reference, login details or payment details to an unofficial booking service. It may cost more, it may not be secure, and it could put your test booking at risk.

The practical driving test is the same basic test whether you take it in a manual or automatic car.

The test usually includes:

• an eyesight check
• “show me, tell me” vehicle safety questions
• general driving on different types of road
• independent driving, usually following a sat nav and/or traffic signs
• one reversing manoeuvre
• possibly an emergency stop

The driving part normally lasts around 35 minutes.

You do not need to drive perfectly to pass. You need to show that you are safe, legal and in control. The examiner is looking for whether you can make sensible decisions, use good observation, respond correctly to hazards and drive without putting yourself or others at risk.

You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your practical test.

If you do not bring the correct licence, your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back.

You do not usually need to bring your theory test certificate for a car test. The examiner can check your theory test pass before the practical test starts.

If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the eyesight standard, make sure you have them with you and wear them for the test.

When you pass, you can start driving straight away, as long as you are properly insured to drive without supervision.

Your learner insurance may not cover you once you have passed, so check before driving on your own.

You can display green P plates after passing if you want to show other road users that you are newly qualified. P plates are optional in Great Britain.

For the first 2 years after passing your first driving test, you are classed as a new driver. If you get 6 or more penalty points within those 2 years, your licence will be revoked. This means you would have to apply for a new provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again.

Passing the test is not the end of learning. It is the start of driving independently. The aim is not just to pass, but to become a safe, confident and responsible driver. Field’s can you provide you with refresher or motorway proficiency lessons to help you extend and improve your independent driving skills

Further information and our terms and conditions can be found on our terms and conditions page.