Learning to drive is an exciting experience, we can't blame you if you're itching to get behind the wheel for the first time! You can actually apply for a provisional licence from the age of 15 years and 9 months.
You'll have to wait until you're at least 17 before driving though - but there are exceptional circumstances where you can learn to drive sooner.
What age can you start driving in the UK
For most, the legal minimum age that you can start driving in the UK is 17. There are other rules for different types of vehicles, but you will need a provisional driving licence before driving a car.
There are some exceptions that mean you can drive before reaching 17. An example of this is if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP can provide assistance for people who might require help with daily activities or getting around because of a long-term disability or illness.
To be eligible, you must be 16 or over and under state pension age. It isn't based on your National Insurance contributions and it isn't means tested, you can use the benefit to assist you with whatever you need.
Process of learning to drive: Age and Eligibility
There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to what age you can begin driving. It usually depends on your personal circumstances. But you need to meet some requirements if you want to learn to drive before you're 17.
What age can you get a provisional driver's license?
If you're at least 15 years and 9 months old, you can apply for a provisional driving licence. To get this, you'll need to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. You can do this with glasses or contact lenses, if you need them. You must also have permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days.
When submitting your application, you must provide an identity document, such as your passport. You'll also need to list addresses you have lived at for the last 3 years. In some cases you might need to provide additional information, like your National Insurance number.
The online application costs £34, you’ll get a confirmation email from DVLA after you’ve applied. You can also apply by post, using this method costs £43.
Your provisional licence should be with you within one week if you've applied online. This could take longer if the DVLA need to make additional checks through your application.
What age can you do your theory test?
Typically, you can take your theory driving test from your 17th birthday.
There are exceptions where you can do so from your 16th birthday. For example, if you get, or have applied for, the higher weekly rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
How old do you have to be to drive alone?
Ultimately this rests on when you pass your practical driving test. Let's say you apply for your provisional driving licence at 16. You'll be able to take your theory test on your 17th birthday - you can also begin driving lessons from this point.
It rests on whether you pass the theory test and take frequent driving lessons. But you could feasibly book and pass your practical driving test a few months later.
Crucially, you cannot drive alone with a provisional driving licence.
You can drive a car independently of your driving instructor, this could be yours, a friend's, or a family member's vehicle. But there are restrictions around this. First off, you must be insured to use the vehicle as a learner driver.
Secondly, someone over the age of 21 that's qualified to drive the type of vehicle you want to learn in must supervise you. They must also have had their full driving licence for 3 years (from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein).
Understanding the legal driving age
There might seem to be a rush in passing your driving test, but cutting corners or not following the rules could have consequences.
Penalties for driving underage
If you're underage, or drive a car unsupervised with a provisional licence, you could face penalties for doing so. These could be penalty points on your licence, fines, or driving disqualification.
How to legally drive if you're under 17?
So, if you're planning on driving on public roads, you have to be at least 17 and have a provisional driving licence. You'll also need to be supervised by an appropriate passenger, as mentioned, and have learner driving insurance in place.
The exception is if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). If this applies to you, you'll be able to drive from the age of 16.
What's the driving age in other countries
Most countries across Europe require you to be at least 18 to drive, some permit you to drive under supervision from 17.
Other countries around the world such as Australia, Canada and the USA can permit you to drive from the age of 16. This is largely dependent on the state in which you apply for your licence in. For example, in Alberta, Canada, you can actually apply for a driving licence from the age of 14 - talk about starting young!
Learner driver's Insurance
It's a legal requirement for all drivers to have a valid car insurance policy before getting behind the wheel. This is also the case for learner drivers. If you’re caught driving without insurance, you could get a £300 fine and 6 points on your licence.
If you’re learning to drive with a professional driving instructor, they should have insurance in place, which is included in the price of your lesson. You don’t need to buy a policy yourself for these lessons.
If you're driving a friend or family member's car while learning, you could consider short-term learner driver car insurance from Tempcover. It’s different to other car insurance policies because you can use it alongside any existing policy the car owner might have.
It's fairly straightforward to insure a learner driver using a family or friends’ car. You can typically add a learner driver to an existing policy as a named driver. This often works out cheaper than taking out your own policy, but it could affect the owner’s no-claims bonus if you have an accident.
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