how old do u have to be to drive

i wanna drive to school.(currently 16)
my mum says i can start driving at age 17 but not on a proper license....
can someone briefly explain that concept to me x

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Phoenixfeather99

You can get your provisional license to start driving on your 17th birthday but you have to be supervised at all times when on public roads until you pass both your theory and practical driving test.

Reply 2

TJ1997

You can get your provisional license right now.

From the gov.uk site:

"You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you're 15 years and 9 months old. You can start driving a car when you're 17. You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment ( PIP )".

Reply 3

username3477548

Original post by Phoenixfeather99

You can get your provisional license to start driving on your 17th birthday but you have to be supervised at all times when on public roads until you pass both your theory and practical driving test.

if i pass all the theory stuff, can i drive to school by myself? or do i have to pass the driving test? And at what age can i take the test, age 18?

Reply 4

Tracey1995

Original post by vix.xvi

i wanna drive to school.(currently 16)
my mum says i can start driving at age 17 but not on a proper license....
can someone briefly explain that concept to me x

Mums right I'm afraid

17 before you can start driving ok
And will need to be supervised by somebody with minimum of 3 years driving

Reply 5

Phoenixfeather99

Original post by vix.xvi

if i pass all the theory stuff, can i drive to school by myself? or do i have to pass the driving test? And at what age can i take the test, age 18?

No, you can’t drive unsupervised until you’ve passed both tests. You can take both tests as soon as you turn 17 but your likely to fail at least the driving practical because you will have had very little experience. Most people take at least 6 months to pass both.

Reply 6

username3477548

Original post by Phoenixfeather99

at what age can you get driving lessons?

lots of qs- sorry x :smile:

Reply 7

sophbrand31

You can start to learn to drive at 17 with a provisional license, another fully licensed driver (has to be over 21 and had their driving license for 3 years) needs to be supervising you in the car. You will also need learner plates on the car.
You have to pass your theory test and driving test in order to get your full driving license.

Reply 8

Phoenixfeather99

Original post by vix.xvi

at what age can you get driving lessons?

lots of qs- sorry x :smile:

17.

Reply 9

username3477548

Original post by Phoenixfeather99

17.

ok tx for ur help! :smile:

Reply 10

TheDE

You can however drive a tractor at your age.

Reply 11

username3477548

Original post by TheDE

You can however drive a tractor at your age.

Really?

Ok I'm gonna have to drive a tractor to school then

Reply 12

username5252878

Original post by vix.xvi

Really?

Ok I'm gonna have to drive a tractor to school then

You do realise that was sarcasm right?

Reply 13

TheDE

Original post by Thecrazydoughnut

You do realise that was sarcasm right?

Maybe but it was also true

https://www.gov.uk/learning-to-drive-a-tractor-or-specialist-vehicle/age-limits

Reply 14

username5252878

Original post by TheDE

Maybe but it was also true

https://www.gov.uk/learning-to-drive-a-tractor-or-specialist-vehicle/age-limits

Thank you.

Why anyone would want to drive a tractor to school is beyond me.

Reply 15

TheDE

Original post by Thecrazydoughnut

Thank you.

Why anyone would want to drive a tractor to school is beyond me.

Parking may be an issue of course

Reply 16

Marcel The Ape

Original post by vix.xvi

i wanna drive to school.(currently 16)
my mum says i can start driving at age 17 but not on a proper license....
can someone briefly explain that concept to me x

You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you're 15 years and 9 months old. You can start driving a car when you're 17. You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ).

Reply 17

username5252878

Original post by TheDE

Parking may be an issue of course

Because parking a tractor doesn’t take up much space does it? (!)

Reply 18

ReadingMum

Some driving schools, if they have access to private land, run courses for 16 years to get them up and running quickly. You are not allowed to drive on public roads until you turn 17 and then you have to be supervised by an experienced driver.

Reply 19

username2301217

Original post by vix.xvi

i wanna drive to school.(currently 16)
my mum says i can start driving at age 17 but not on a proper license....
can someone briefly explain that concept to me x

At 17 you can get a provisional license. This means you'll need L plates and someone supervising you who has 3 years license. You will probably need learner insurance but I'm not sure (I had a driving instructor and I hoped he did have the right insurance). So yes you could drive yourself to school at 17, but you'll need to follow a few rules.

Once you pass your theory and practical (it's easy enough, believe me there's some crazy drivers out there who managed to do it!), you can drive unsupervised. You will need tax mot and insurance on a roadworthy car. Insurance is generally very high depending on where you live and what car You plan to insure, so it might make more sense to use public tranport. However cars can be better depending how it's used.

A tip from me, you will not learn certain things from an instructor. Make sure you know how to fill your car up with fuel (and the right one because it can be a costly mistake!). And learn how to change a tire at the roadside.

Hope you get licensed soon, driving can be fun