Getting Started
To obtain a UK Driving Licence you must first apply for Provisional Licence and then pass a Theory test and a Practical Driving test. You must not drive unaccompanied until you have completed both tests. Find out who can teach you here. To get your first provisional driving licence you must:
You can apply for you provisional licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old. The Licence cost is £34. Click for more information and to apply.
- be a resident in Great Britain
- meet the minimum age requirement (You can normally start driving on your 17th birthday if you want to drive a
car and your 16th birthday if you want to drive a motorcycle or moped. If you’re getting the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you can drive at 16)
You can apply for you provisional licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old. The Licence cost is £34. Click for more information and to apply.
Theory Test
The theory test is made up of a multiple-choice part and a hazard perception part. You need to pass both parts at the same time to pass the theory test.
There are 50 multiple choice questions based on information you will find in The Highway Code and other official publications. Some questions will be given as a case study. The case study will show a short story that five questions will be based on and will focus on real life examples and experiences that you could come across when driving. The pass mark for this part is 43 out of 50 and you have 57 minutes to complete this part of the test.
In the Hazard Perception part you will be shown a series of video clips on a computer screen. The clips feature everyday road scenes and contain at least one developing hazard - but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. A developing hazard is something that may result in you having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction.
The earlier you notice a developing hazard and make a response, the higher you will score. The most you can score for each developing hazard is five points. To get a high score you need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development and press the mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing.
You won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test.
If you click continuously or in a pattern during a clip a message will appear at the end. It will tell you that you have scored zero for that particular clip.
The pass mark is 44 out of 75.
In Milton Keynes the Theory Test Centre is at:
Tempus House (Ground Floor)
249 Midsummer Boulevard
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK9 1YA
Click for more infomation and to book your theory test
Highway Code
Official DSA Publications
There are 50 multiple choice questions based on information you will find in The Highway Code and other official publications. Some questions will be given as a case study. The case study will show a short story that five questions will be based on and will focus on real life examples and experiences that you could come across when driving. The pass mark for this part is 43 out of 50 and you have 57 minutes to complete this part of the test.
In the Hazard Perception part you will be shown a series of video clips on a computer screen. The clips feature everyday road scenes and contain at least one developing hazard - but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. A developing hazard is something that may result in you having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction.
The earlier you notice a developing hazard and make a response, the higher you will score. The most you can score for each developing hazard is five points. To get a high score you need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development and press the mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing.
You won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test.
If you click continuously or in a pattern during a clip a message will appear at the end. It will tell you that you have scored zero for that particular clip.
The pass mark is 44 out of 75.
In Milton Keynes the Theory Test Centre is at:
Tempus House (Ground Floor)
249 Midsummer Boulevard
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK9 1YA
Click for more infomation and to book your theory test
Highway Code
Official DSA Publications
Practical Driving Test
The Practical Driving test is designed for you to show your practical skills and understanding of the Highway Code and the theory of driving safely. The test lasts approximtely 40 minutes and will take in a variety of different roads and traffic conditions allowing you to demonstrate your driving skills and knowledge. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.
The test starts with an eyesight check, you must be able to read a car number plate at a distance of 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate or 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate. New-style number plates start with two letters followed by two numbers, for example AB51 ABC. If you can't speak English or have difficulty reading, you can write down what you see. If you fail this check your test will be terminated and you will lose your fee.
After the eyesight check your examiner will ask you one of 2 simple questions relating to safety checks you need to make on your car. You will be asked to demonstrate the second check whilst on the move (please refer to the Safety Check page for the full list of questions).
Your examiner will give you a brief outline of what will happen on the test before you set off and will give you directions and instructions in good time throughout the test.
During the test you will be asked to perform one or the four manoeuvres you will have been practicing. The examiner will choose one exercise from:
- pulling up on the right side of the road then reversing back 2 car lengths
- parking forwards into a parking bay and reversing out
- reverse parking - either into a parking bay, or parallel parking at the side of the road.
You may be asked to do an emergency stop (1 out of every 3 tests will have an emergency stop).
You will also be asked to drive independently for around 20 minutes, this involves following directions on a sat nav or on road signs or maps or a mixture of both. This part is designed so you can show planning skills and basic navigation. If you forget which way to go or don't see it on the sign then you can ask the examiner .
Along the way you will be marked if you make any mistakes, these marks will fall into 3 categories:
- a dangerous fault - involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
- a serious fault - could potentially be dangerous
- a driving fault - not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault throughout your test it could become a serious fault.
If you receive a dangerous or serious fault then you will have failed your test. You are allowed 15 driving faults (sometimes referred to as 'minors') However, if you repeat the same fault the examiner could then class this as habitual and mark it as a Serious fault because it is a potential weakness in your driving. At the end of the test your examiner will add up any faults he has marked on your test give you the result straight away. So long as you show the standard required, you'll pass your driving test. Contrary to rumour, there are no pass or fail quotas.
You will be allowed to take someone along with you on the test (usually your driving instructor), you should discuss this beforehand to decide what you will feel the most comfortable doing.
Click for more info and to book the practical driving test.
The DSA have a YouTube channel with clips showing what to expect on your test. Take a look to help you prepare.
The test starts with an eyesight check, you must be able to read a car number plate at a distance of 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate or 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate. New-style number plates start with two letters followed by two numbers, for example AB51 ABC. If you can't speak English or have difficulty reading, you can write down what you see. If you fail this check your test will be terminated and you will lose your fee.
After the eyesight check your examiner will ask you one of 2 simple questions relating to safety checks you need to make on your car. You will be asked to demonstrate the second check whilst on the move (please refer to the Safety Check page for the full list of questions).
Your examiner will give you a brief outline of what will happen on the test before you set off and will give you directions and instructions in good time throughout the test.
During the test you will be asked to perform one or the four manoeuvres you will have been practicing. The examiner will choose one exercise from:
- pulling up on the right side of the road then reversing back 2 car lengths
- parking forwards into a parking bay and reversing out
- reverse parking - either into a parking bay, or parallel parking at the side of the road.
You may be asked to do an emergency stop (1 out of every 3 tests will have an emergency stop).
You will also be asked to drive independently for around 20 minutes, this involves following directions on a sat nav or on road signs or maps or a mixture of both. This part is designed so you can show planning skills and basic navigation. If you forget which way to go or don't see it on the sign then you can ask the examiner .
Along the way you will be marked if you make any mistakes, these marks will fall into 3 categories:
- a dangerous fault - involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
- a serious fault - could potentially be dangerous
- a driving fault - not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault throughout your test it could become a serious fault.
If you receive a dangerous or serious fault then you will have failed your test. You are allowed 15 driving faults (sometimes referred to as 'minors') However, if you repeat the same fault the examiner could then class this as habitual and mark it as a Serious fault because it is a potential weakness in your driving. At the end of the test your examiner will add up any faults he has marked on your test give you the result straight away. So long as you show the standard required, you'll pass your driving test. Contrary to rumour, there are no pass or fail quotas.
You will be allowed to take someone along with you on the test (usually your driving instructor), you should discuss this beforehand to decide what you will feel the most comfortable doing.
Click for more info and to book the practical driving test.
The DSA have a YouTube channel with clips showing what to expect on your test. Take a look to help you prepare.