Prepare for your Practical Driving Test
A beginners guide
Apply for a provisional driving licence
You must have a provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland when you’re learning to drive a car or ride a motorcycle.
When you have your provisional licence you can drive on all roads except for motorways.
You must be supervised when you’re learning to drive a car. This can be by a driving instructor or someone else who meets the rules, eg family or friends.
The car you learn in must display ‘L’ plates.
Theory test for car drivers
You must pass the driving theory test before you are able to book the car practical driving test and you must also hold a provisional driving licence before you can sit your driving theory test
There are 2 parts to the theory test:
- the multiple choice part
- the hazard perception part
Both parts of the test are taken on the same day and the full rules are available on the Gov.Uk website

The car Practical Driving Test
The practical driving test is designed to see if you:
- can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
- know the Highway Code and can show this through your driving ability
- As long as you show the standard required, you’ll pass your driving test.
There is no minimum number of lessons you must have or hours you must practice driving before you take your test.
There are no pass or fail quotas.
The car Practical Driving Test