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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Learning to drive

12 replies

Iamsodone · 31/05/2021 09:25

DC will turn 17 in a few months and keen to learn to drive but we re not familiar at all with the process in England.
Can some sure tips and where/how to start please ?
Thank you

OP posts:

DappledOliveGroves · 31/05/2021 09:33

He'll need to get a provisional driving licence. Go to the DVLA website and apply. Then he'll need to pass the theory test and pass his driving test within 2 years of getting the provisional licence or he'll have to re-take the theory.

Worth asking around for recommended driving instructors. Getting a good one is a big help.

Original poster

Iamsodone · 31/05/2021 09:55

@DappledOliveGroves thank you !
Are the driving instructors all independent or à through a school?
Where I come from you can only go through official registered schools, but have not seen any where we are ?
Do they have to pass the theory before starting with the driving lessons ?
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer !

OP posts:

DinosaurDiana · 31/05/2021 09:57

No, you approach the instructors and ask rates etc.
It’s really worth asking around as we went with an expensive one but my DD passed first time so it was worth it.

DinosaurDiana · 31/05/2021 09:58

No, don’t have to pass the theory first,

DappledOliveGroves · 31/05/2021 10:24

As DinosaurDiana said, you don't have to pass the theory before learning to drive but obviously have to pass it before taking the actual driving test.

There are some driving schools (AA, BSM) and also individual independent instructors. Definitely try and get one who comes recommended.

WeAllHaveWings · 31/05/2021 12:25

You can send away for a provisional license now ready for starting.

As soon as you get the license back have a look at the theory test dates, it can take months to get one local to you just now there is such a back log. He will need to revise for the theory exam and also practice the hazard perception test. A lot fail first time due to lack of preparation.

He needs his theory before he books a practical test, but he can start lessons without it.

Recommendations for driving instructors help, and you can start contacting them now to get put on their waiting list, again there are huge backlogs for new pupils getting started as current pupils haven't been able to book or sit their tests. Any of the recommended instructors we tried had their waiting list closed as too long and were advising it would be next year before they could start. We had one recommended and organised who then let us down, so contacted over 20 instructors before we could find another one, we didn't have any recommendations for him but ds is on his 5th lesson now and it is going well so far.

WeAllHaveWings · 31/05/2021 12:28

If you don't have any recommendations for instructors you can find local ones here www.gov.uk/find-driving-schools-and-lessons

I found most ignored emails, so I searched for them on google/facebook and messaged instead and most replied.

Original poster

Iamsodone · 31/05/2021 15:41

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Hugely helpful and I am very grateful

OP posts:

JeffreyJefferson · 01/06/2021 17:54

i suggest he starts learning theory asap. he will already be ahead then and book a theory test as soon as he turns 17. the app Theory Test Pro is very good and it is also a website which is easier to navigate.

looptheloopinahulahoop · 09/06/2021 14:58

Then he'll need to pass the theory test and pass his driving test within 2 years of getting the provisional licence or he'll have to re-take the theory

No, that's not right (although I did think this was the case too) he needs to pass the practical within 2 years of passing the theory test or will have to retake the theory. The provisional licence doesn't run out though.

However, there may well be a long wait to start lessons and get a date for either test because of the backlog. It can't hurt to get started on the theory though, especially as I think you need to have passed that before you can book the practical test.

Original poster

Iamsodone · 04/07/2021 14:48

Hello all, has anyone done learn to drive as part of their skills for DofE gold by any chance ?
I am thinking it may be great to combine the two together
Any reco or thoughts welcome !
Thank you.

OP posts:

HazyDaisy123456 · 04/07/2021 17:58

Personally, I would contact some driving instructors now and put your DC’s name down for when they turn 17 (as most have a long waiting list with covid and lockdowns) and start DC revising driving theory now. Then as soon as provisional arrives book driving theory test (their is a 3 month wait for these where we live) and you can’t book a driving test until you have passed driving theory. If you pass driving theory test last week where I live you would have to wait until November to sit your actual
Driving text at the soonest.

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