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Original poster

Can someone explain the steps involved in teen learning to drive

32 replies

Elvislipcurl · 12/06/2022 14:34

Gov website down, not getting much info out of instructors as they are overrun, so thought I would ask wise mumsnetters.

I have been told that my son needs to pass his theory test before having lessons, however he can't enrol for the test as he has no driving license. I am further confused as it says he can apply for a license when 15 and 9 months, but I was told by an instructor that it was 16 and 9 months, which is why I waited till now. He is 17 in a few months.

What are the steps I need to follow, or that you recommend to get him lessons?

OP posts:
Bangheadhere40 · 12/06/2022 14:35

Following

mumonthehill · 12/06/2022 14:37

He applies for his provisional license now and once he turns 17 and has this he can have lessons. He had to have passed his theory to take his test but can take the theory as soon as he is 17. Instructor will advise when he is ready to book practical test.

CMOTDibbler · 12/06/2022 14:38

He ca apply for a provisional license now, then when he is 17 he can book a theory test and also start driving lessons (def no need to pass theory before lessons). He has to have passed the theory test before booking the practical test though

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Driving & parking
Cookerhood · 12/06/2022 14:38

You can have lessons before passing the theory test, but you can't book a practical test until you've passed the theory. I presume you can have a licence from 16 for mopeds etc.

EduCated · 12/06/2022 14:38

He needs to apply for a provisional licence, which allows him to drive supervised with L plates (either your car or formal lessons).

The theory test doesn’t need to be taken before lessons, just before the practical test.

When ready, he applies for the practical test. If he passes his provisional licence is sent away and he receives his full licence. The provisional is Green with and L on it, and the full licence is red, so they look different.

toomuchlaundry · 12/06/2022 14:38

You can have lessons before taking your theory test

TooHotTooGreedy · 12/06/2022 14:39

DS had to have a provisional license before the instructor would accept him on his waiting list or take him out on lessons.

He had a few lessons before even booking a theory test & there was a wait of several weeks before he could take his theory. He kept having lessons the whole time.

EduCated · 12/06/2022 14:40

Oh and the theory test is only valid for a set period after passing it - if he doesn’t pass his practical in that time, he will need to retake it.

Original poster
Elvislipcurl · 12/06/2022 14:45

OK, so I think I will:

Order provisional
Book theory test (as some instructors saying won't take him out unless passed it)
Contact instructors to book lessons/ waiting list

Thx

OP posts:
Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 12/06/2022 14:46

You can book the theory test in advance (once you have your provisional licence) but have to be 17 to take it. You can teach yourself the theory, a driving instructor doesn't have to cover that. Once you have passed the theory it is valid for two years in which time you need to pass the practical or retake the theory. You cannot book a practical test until you have passed the theory. I think your provisional licence is valid for three years or until you pass the practical. I think that the 15yrs 9 months is for those wanting a moped licence or who are able to learn at 16 due to a disability.

Only use DVLA website to apply for licence not a site which 'makes it easy' because it will cost more.

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 12/06/2022 14:51

Oh and get him on a list now, just tell them when his birthday is. He may need to wait more than a few months anyway to book both tests (theory was easier to book than pracical). Considering how long he will need to wait for a driving instructor I would go for one who will take him before passing theory (unless you think he might struggle with the theory).

Magnolia08 · 12/06/2022 15:17

We arranged provisional license then put him on waiting list for lessons (was about 3-4 month) and while waiting to start lessons he took his theory test.

prettybird · 12/06/2022 15:20

@Unexpecteddrivinginstructor - you made me worry as ds' provisional licence is over 3 years old Shock (he got his when he went off to Uni for ID and he's now finishing his 4th year Scottish degree ) - but I checked and it (like the full driving licence) is valid for 10 years.

It's just the theory that runs out after 2 years - ds got caught by that with Covid and the driving examiner not being available when tests re-started Hmm so that he got put to the end of the queue, the day before his theory expired and failed the test on the very last manoeuvre Sad (literally, driving the car into the space to finish Shock).

Good news is that he's passed his theory again and has another test booked for the end of the month Smile

PedalPedal · 12/06/2022 15:32

My DD had her first lesson on her 17th then sat the theory test the day after. I contacted the driving instructor about end of March time and she pencilled me in for May then contacted me nearer time to book first lesson which just happened to be on her birthday
There is an app to download to practice the theory test on

NoSquirrels · 12/06/2022 15:39

Elvislipcurl · 12/06/2022 14:45

OK, so I think I will:

Order provisional
Book theory test (as some instructors saying won't take him out unless passed it)
Contact instructors to book lessons/ waiting list

Thx

What you need to do is to support your DC to do all these steps. Don’t do it for them!

WeAllHaveWings · 12/06/2022 15:49

Depends on instructor, but ours didnt insist on theory passed or get involved in booking practical. Ds turned 17 in a Feb.

Nov - ordered provisional
Feb - booked earliest theory (July)
Apr - started lessons, 1hr a week (after lockdown lifted)
May - started going out with me to practice using veygo learner insurance
July - passed theory, booked practical for November (earliest date avail) and booked instructor for that date
Nov - did a couple of lessons in test area the 2 weeks before, passed test

titchy · 12/06/2022 15:55

Are you absolutely sure they need to have passed the theory in order to book lessons? They will need it to book the test, but it seems peculiar given the nature of the test, and the limited validity, to have the theory before they even sit in a car.

I would order the licence, and start getting recommendations for teachers, then book a set of lessons in with one that is recommended.

riesenrad · 12/06/2022 15:56

Are you absolutely sure they need to have passed the theory in order to book lessons? They will need it to book the test, but it seems peculiar given the nature of the test, and the limited validity, to have the theory before they even sit in a car

I was thinking the same - seems a bit unreasonable of instructors.

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 12/06/2022 16:02

@prettybird that is better then, was probably just thinking about the theory.

I have mainly taught dd myself (hence my posting name). I think if you can get insurance on your car it does help them to gain experience. We also have veygo insurance.

prettybird · 12/06/2022 16:12

Unfortunately ds is 125 miles away, so he can't practice with us Sad We did use Veygo when he was down visiting though.

At one point we were considering driving up to Aberdeen at the end of the month as "his" driving instructor can't make the test that he has booked Shock But he's managed to find another (recommended) instructor and will take a couple of lessons beforehand to get used to the "new" car (plus he hasn't driven since last August Shock).

Oblomov22 · 12/06/2022 16:17

You can request his provisional early: ou can apply for the licence up to two months before your 17th birthday.
I'd enquire / book lessons now, because they are often booked well in advance.
Get his reading theory test book, and app, so he can pass theory asap.
You need theory pass to book actual test.
Once test booked, use an app to get an earlier test.
Dh and I taught ds1, then he passed after only a few lessons.

Oblomov22 · 12/06/2022 16:19

Book theory test (as some instructors saying won't take him out unless passed it)

Never heard of this before. This is very odd. Never happened with any of my local instructors. Why would they refuse to take a child out until they passed her theory, this is very peculiar.

bigbluebus · 12/06/2022 16:28

I'm guessing that as there is such a high demand for instructors due to the backlog caused by Covid, some instructors are prioritising students who have passed their theory test as they have a deadline. It is not normally the case that you need to pass the theory test to have lessons - but he will need a provisional licence before he can get behind the wheel of a car on public roads.

LondonQueen · 12/06/2022 16:31

Apply for provisional license
Find driving instructor
Start lessons
Book theory test
take and pass theory test
If willing, insure teen on family car or buy car to practice in
Book driving test when instructor recommends
Pass driving test
If you already bought a car to practice in, done, if not buy car or insure on family car (often expensive)

ChewOnAPickle · 12/06/2022 16:41

Ds is about to start his driving lessons. The driving school he is using give you access to a course which helps you pass the theory test although Ds has been doing practise ones online for a bit.

You can ride a moped at 16 which is why you can apply for your provisional license before you are 16.

When Ds feels confident I will be putting him on my car insurance for practising in to help him. For a leaner it is relatively cheap, once they pass it rockets up as they will be unsupervised.