Licence
It's an offence to drive a car without the correct licence. You
get a full licence when you have passed your test. New European style
licences are the size of a credit card, with the holder's photograph. If
you hold a paper licence, you do not need to change it to the new
format. If you want to learn to drive, first get a provisional licence.
Application forms D1 and D750 are available from a post office or you
can apply
online.
You can apply 3 months before your 17th (16th if registered as receiving
disability allowance) birthday. When you get your licence, sign it
immediately - it's an offence to drive until you've done so. An
international or foreign driving license can not be used to prepare for
the UK driving test
Ages to drive on a Public Highway
At 14 you can ride an electrically powered cycle. At 16 you
can ride a moped up to 50ccs, a small tractor or mowing machine or
invalid car. If you receive a mobility allowance you can also drive a
car. At 17 you can drive a car with up to 8 passengers, a
motorcycle, a large tractor and a van or lorry up to 3.5 tons. At 18
you can drive a van or lorry up to 7.5 tons. At 21 you can drive
all other vehicles. For hiring a car, most car hire companies have a
minimum age of 21 or 23.
MOT
Most vehicles which are 3 old or more must be tested for an MOT
certificate it they are to be used on the road.
Road Tax
A car which is either being used or allowed to stand on the road
must display a current tax
disc. There is a fine for breaking this regulation. Cars over
25 years old do not need a road tax disc. It is a crime to use a tax
disc belonging to another vehicle.
Insurance
It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on the road without insurance.
The penalties are quite severe. Failure to have insurance means a fine
and penalty points on a licence, and maybe disqualification. It's also
an offence for someone to allow their car to be used by a person who is
not insured to drive it. There are 3 different kinds of motor insurance,
offering different levels of cover:
Third party:
only pays for damage caused to other people or their property.
This is the minimum level of insurance cover required by law
Third party fire and theft:
gives you further protection by covering you against theft or
fire damage to your own vehicle
Fully comprehensive:
usually the most expensive, but covers the cost of accident
repair damage to your own vehicle as well as compensating others for
injuries or damage in the accident.
When you apply for any insurance, make sure the
information you give is accurate. If it's not, your insurance will be
invalid. It's an offence knowingly to make a false statement to obtain
insurance.
Sight Test
It is important to make sure that your eyesight meets the
required standard.
You will need to be able to read a car number plate from a distance of
20.5m. It is illegal to drive if you do not meet this requirement.
Highway Code
Get your learning underway, prepare for the
UK driving test by getting a copy of the Highway
Code
Driving Tests
The driving test is in 2 parts, a written theory and a practical
driving test. The theory paper, which must be passed before the
practical test, lasts 40 minutes and is made up of 35 multiple-choice
questions. The theory test can be taken on a weekday, evening or
Saturday at one of the 140 centres throughout the country. The Highway
Code will start you on the way, but you will need to practise your
multiple choice and hazard
perception skills. Here's a good site for the theory
test. And
why not check out the material
written and produced by the DSA - the people who set the tests!
Driving Instruction
Getting professional instruction is recommended rather than being
taught by a friend or relative. Professional driving instructor are
trained to do the job, possess the skills to deal with nervous and
hesitant drivers and are equipped with dual-controlled cars. Only an
approved driving instructor (ADI) registered with the Driving Standards
Agency (DSA) can charge a fee for teaching someone to drive. A fully
qualified ADI must display a green certificate on the windscreen of the
car during lessons. Some trainee driving instructors are granted a
licence enabling them to gain experience before their qualifying
examination. Trainee driving instructors must display a pink certificate
on the windscreen.
You can supplement your learning by going out in a
friend or relatives car, and this can improve your performance by giving
you extra practice sessions. As a learner driver, you must have someone
with you in the front passenger seat of the car who is over 21 and has
held a full driving licence (for at least 3 years). This person must be
fit to drive and must not have had more than the legal amount of
alcohol. When you are learning to drive you must display L plates, which
should be removed or covered up when the vehicle is not being driven by
a learner driver. Learner drivers must not drive on a motorway.
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