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Original poster

Teenager wants to learn to drive - what are steps?

36 replies

52andblue · 13/09/2021 15:23

Ds, 17 this month, wants to learn to drive.
He has ASD.
MUST he take his Theory test before he has any professional lessons?
HIs Father (exH) says so, therefore it is 'law' but I thought he can have proper driving lessons beginning with his Bday and study for theory over winter? I appreciate he has to pass theory before he actually takes practical test. Also, can I / his Father give him lessons in our cars before he has passed his Theory test?

OP posts:
Ozanj · 13/09/2021 15:24

He needs his provisional license and then can start lessons straight away. You only take your theory when you are test ready

Northumberlandlass · 13/09/2021 15:26

He can start having lessons before sitting his theory. My DS started his lessons a year ago & took his theory at the beginning of this year & his test is soon - the time frame has been lengthened due to Covid but the order of stuff will be the same.

Wellydumpling · 13/09/2021 15:26

www.gov.uk/learn-to-drive-a-car

Very clearly set-out here OP.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Driving & parking SEN
Northumberlandlass · 13/09/2021 15:26

Oh yes, obviously needs his provisional!

SunshineOnARainyDay · 13/09/2021 15:28

With DD we applied for her provisional licence a few months before her 17th birthday. As soon as she was 17 she was able to book her theory test before she even started lessons. She passed her theory and then a couple of weeks later she started lessons. Theory tests last two years once passed so we were advised to get that done as it may have taken a couple of attempts. She is now insured on my car as a learner driver and I am taking her out for practice alongside her lessons

LadyDanburysHat · 13/09/2021 15:28

Definitely don't need theory before practical lessons. DS1 had a couple of months of lessons then his instructor told him there was no point in having any more until he passed his theory as he had learned everything. And we in pandemic so theory tests took a long time to book.

Shadedog · 13/09/2021 15:30

You need a provisional licence before anyone can take him out in a car. He will also need a provisional licence in order to book the theory test, and to have passed the theory test before he can book the practical test.

I think You/his dad will need to have him insured on your car. We certainly did with dd and I’m assuming even with “any driver” insurance it will only mean people who have actually passed.

Apply for the provisional licence if you haven’t already and get him on some waiting lists with driving instructors. The backlog is insane and people are waiting months for an instructor in some areas.
When you get the provisional licence then book the theory for sooner rather than later. In my area it’s about a 7 month wait for the practical so it’s better to do the theory ASAP so you can book a practical.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 13/09/2021 15:30
  1. Get provisional license
  2. Find instructor and book lessons
  3. Buy a theory book to revise for theory exam
  4. Do lessons
  5. Take theory when a few weeks off practical test
  6. Take practical (once theory passed)
Tickledtrout · 13/09/2021 15:31

Yes as above; most take their theory test when they've had a few lessons and can at least imagine taking a practical test. The theory pass lasts for two years do if you don't take and pass practical test in that time you'll have to resit
Btw There's a bit of a backlog with provisional licence applications atm- they're currently processing the forms submitted early August according to DVLA website. So apply sooner rather than later.

SunshineOnARainyDay · 13/09/2021 15:32

Just to add DDs driving instructor also recommended booking in for her test now even though she’s only had 5 lessons as the waiting list is long! Hence why she got her theory test done. Her test is booked for end January which was the earliest date available

titchy · 13/09/2021 15:33

Problem with booking theory straight away is it's only valid for two years, so if you can't get lessons and a practical test booked AND PASSED (bear in mind kids do fail, then have to retake - which can take months at the moment) within that time they have to start the theory all over again.

Original poster
52andblue · 13/09/2021 15:38

Ah, Briliiant! Thanks so much everyone.

I knew my ExH would have given me the wrong info (he is a professional driver himself but also a professional Gaslighter too, both to me and ds). He was so adamant that he was correct that the theory had to be passed before Ds could get into a car. I should have checked on the .gov site sorry. MN to the rescue!

I will put Ds on my Insurance too. I am guessing that would be way cheaper than trying to get insurance in his name, although he does qualify for a motability car which includes insurance so that is maybe something to consider? ExH has an elderly (but roadworthy) old escort type car that he's been 'saving' for Ds to drive (ds doesnt mind that it's not fashionable but I wonder how much insurance for his own car would be even so)

OP posts:
RosieLemonade · 13/09/2021 15:38

@titchy

Problem with booking theory straight away is it's only valid for two years, so if you can't get lessons and a practical test booked AND PASSED (bear in mind kids do fail, then have to retake - which can take months at the moment) within that time they have to start the theory all over again.
Also that 2 year isn't extended if there are lockdowns.
TeenMinusTests · 13/09/2021 15:40

Just to forewarn you:

There are long delays on getting provisional licenses right now. We applied start July, still waiting. (Unless passport photo is very recent).
(ref www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update )

There is still a backlog for both theory & practical tests in at least some areas.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 13/09/2021 15:42

I will put Ds on my Insurance too. I am guessing that would be way cheaper than trying to get insurance in his name

Ds will be covered by the instructors insurance, so only worth doing this on your car if you plan on taking him out to practice.

I know from my own perspective this doesnt always work well, and sometimes (depending on yours and his temperaments), it's best left to the instructor and the car that has dual controls etc.

QuillBill · 13/09/2021 15:48

You should get the provisional quicker if he has a passport as it can be linked.

It seems that practical test dates are released 24;weeks in advance on a Monday very early in the morning, But not midnight or anyone you could stay up until to book one!

thelastgoldeneagle · 13/09/2021 15:48

Your ex is wrong. Your ds needs a provisional licence, that's all.

There are long waiting times for booking theory tests and driving tests, so bear that in mind.

You have to pass your theory test before you can book your driving test.

thelastgoldeneagle · 13/09/2021 15:50

And yes, you can give him lessons before he passes his theory test.

Check out www.gov.uk/browse/driving/learning-to-drive

TeenMinusTests · 13/09/2021 15:51

You can get kits to convert a car to dual brakes/accelerator. Haven't tried them yet, but that's the plan for DD2 if her license ever comes through. (We had a dual car when DD1 learned.)

BarbaraofSeville · 13/09/2021 15:54

In the first instance let him start lessons with an instructor and when he gets to the stage where he can drive but needs practice, then you could put him on your car as a named driver.

Be aware that insurance for a new driver who has passed their test costs more than as an accompanied learner.

If he's eligible for a motorbility car, it's probably best to look into that, particularly if he can use their insurance (check for any rules or large excesses for young drivers) as you could avoid the huge premiums charged to young drivers.

But if DS is getting his own, non motobility car, don't assume something that is old and cheap will be cheap to insure. It's not the value of the car that's being driven that's the biggest risk in that scenario.

LadyDanburysHat · 13/09/2021 15:58

Look at learner insurance for him on your car. It is a completely separate insurance for him, and will probably be cheaper than adding him to yours. Marmalade and Veygo are good companies for this.

BareVanilla · 13/09/2021 16:00

Don't do theory until he's close to testing because the theory test only lasts 2 years then you have to do it again if you haven't passed your driving test by then.

Lorw · 13/09/2021 16:17

I did my theory before I did my practical simply because I know a few people who done their practical, paid 1000s in lessons and then never was able to pass the theory so all that money was wasted and I would have been fuming if that was me 😂

If you think that your son won’t struggle with his theory I would just do the practical side first and get that on the go after he has a provisional 😁

Kite22 · 13/09/2021 16:47

Also that 2 year isn't extended if there are lockdowns.

Yes, there was a petition about this, and unfortunately it asked for an extension and was turned down. With hindsight, asking for a free resit of the theory test if it expired might have been better, as it would take away the argument that they can't extend it as they need to know new drivers are safe.

I would argue it is better to wait until you have been driving for some time (as in having lessons) before you do the theory anyway, as you aren't just learning stuff "theoretically" , you are using it all 'in situ'

impatientwatcher · 13/09/2021 17:08

It's not necessarily quicker if you have a passport. I just tried to renew my driving license online with a passport and got rejected, DVLA chat had no idea why. They are saying at least 6-10 week wait if you have to do a paper one.

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