A question we commonly get asked at Get Licensed Driving School is how old do you have to be to learn to drive. And quite frankly, it is a bit complicated but have no fear – Get Licensed Driving School is here to clear up any confusion.
What age do you need to be to take a driving test?
You are able to take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid. Your provisional licence becomes valid on your 17th birthday, so you are able to take a driving test when you are 17 and older.
What do you need to be able to learn to drive?
If you want to learn how to drive, then you need to get a provisional licence. You are able to apply for a provisional driving licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old. But as said before you can’t take a driving test before you’re 17, the reason the provisional age is at 15 years and 9 months old is for those who want to drive mopeds.
Apart from your provisional licence, you also need to make sure the car you’re learning to drive in is roadworthy and properly taxed and insured and you have a qualified driver with you if you’re driving a car. The qualified driver has to be 21 years old or older and has held a full car driving licence for at least three years. The qualified driver must also hold a driving licence from Northern Ireland, Great Britain or an EU country. You will also need to display L plates.
Can you drive before 17?
Although you can only take a test and learn to drive once you are 17 years old and older, you can actually drive before 17. You can drive before you are 17 when you are driving on private land but you must own the land or have permission from the person who does. If you are on private land you don’t need to be insured or have an MoT or any other legal documents. What is considered private land can also be quite contentious, so it’s not something that is recommended. Also if an accident occurs, the driver would not be covered by an insurance policy. You are better off waiting until you are of legal age to learn how to and be able to drive.
Ready to learn how to drive?
If you’re aged 17 and over and want to learn how to drive then find a driving instructor perfectly suited to your requirements HERE.
