Lots of people who move to the UK don’t have to worry about taking a UK driving test. They can simply drive using their original licence, or easily swap it for a UK version. Others aren’t so lucky.
If your driving licence is from one of the designated countries listed here it will only be valid in the UK for 12 months. After that you can’t just trade it in — you’ll need to pass a UK theory and practical test to keep driving.
Ready to get your hands on a UK driving licence? Start preparing to pass by following these steps.
Step 1: Get a provisional driving licence
The journey to passing your driving test in the UK begins with a provisional driving licence. This allows you to drive while accompanied by someone who has held a UK driving licence for 3 years or more.
To apply, all you need to do is:
- Head to the UK government website and fill out the online application. You can also complete a D1 form from your local Post Office and send in the mail.
- Provide proof of your identity. This could be your passport or your immigration share code.
- Then pay! It costs £34 online or £43 by post.
If you’ve been living in the UK less than 12 months, you can hold your original licence and your provisional licence at the same time. After this time only your provisional licence will be valid. If you’re using your provisional licence to practise beyond a driving lesson with a qualified instructor, you’ll need specific learner driver insurance. Plus some attractive L plates for your car.
Step 2: Pass your UK theory test
Got your provisional in the post? Good. The next step is booking your theory test online. This costs £23.
It’s important to ace this as soon as possible so you can move onto the practical driving test stage. You can’t even book this without proof of a theory pass — and in recent years there have been long waiting times for the practical.
The theory test can only be taken in the English language. And it’s made up of two sections:
The Highway Code
You’ll get 50 multiple choice questions on road rules, road signs and car safety in the UK from the Highway Code. You need to get at least 43 questions correct.
Hazard perception
You’ll watch 14 interactive video clips and click with the computer mouse when you spot a potential danger. You need a score of 44 out of 75 to pass this section.
And cheaters beware! Those who click constantly to beat the system will end up with zero. The computers always know.
If you’re already having sweaty school exam hall flashbacks, try not to worry. There are plenty of study resources available to help you pass. They include an official app with learning materials, mock tests and hazard perception demos.
You can also pay to retake as many times as you need to — though this can be expensive and time-consuming.
Once it’s all over, the theory pass stays valid for two years. Plenty of time to smash the practical out of the park.
Step 3: Take driving lessons
You may not be a new driver, but you’re probably new to UK roads. So lessons with a qualified instructor are crucial if you want to pass the driving test on your first go.
The UK Driving Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) suggests that new drivers should have 45 hours of lessons before taking their test. However, if you’re already a seasoned driver you may get by with far fewer.
You can take lessons in a manual car with gears, or an automatic — the test will be the same. But it’s worth noting that if you pass on an automatic you won’t legally be allowed to drive a manual. If you pass on a manual car you can drive both.
Another big question. How much do driving lessons in the UK cost? Sadly, they're not cheap.
The average hourly rate for driving lessons in 2024 is £25-£50. This will depend on where you’re based in the UK — the south-east, London and other major cities are more expensive. However, most driving instructors will offer a small discount for blocks of lessons (usually 10 or more).
Step 4: Passing the UK practical driving test
It’s nearly time for your big moment. Or is it? It might take longer than you’d think to get there.
Since the pandemic there’s been a big backlog of practical driving tests in the UK. Currently learner drivers face an average wait time of more than four months for a slot.
This is important to factor into your plans, especially if you want to pass before the 12 months on your original licence expires.
So we recommend getting your practical driving test booked early on in the process. It costs £62 for a weekday slot and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays. You should also budget for a one hour lesson before your test, plus an additional charge from your instructor if you need to use their car.
What to expect on the day of your driving test
If you’ve been sensible and taken lessons, your driving instructor should have thoroughly prepared you for how the practical driving test will go. They may have taken you on some of the common routes, practised in different conditions and put you through a mock exam.
Expect to begin at your chosen DVSA driving test centre. Remember to bring your provisional licence and proof of your theory pass. Then your 40 minute test has five steps.
Eyesight test
The easy bit. You’ll simply be asked to read a number plate from 20 metres away.
‘Show me, tell me’
Time to show off your theory knowledge again. Before you begin your drive, you’ll be asked a ‘tell me’ question where you’ll explain how to complete a car safety procedure.
The ‘show me’ question may be asked at any point during the test. For this you’ll demonstrate a car safety procedure while driving – like safely using the windscreen wipers. Easy peasy.
Want to practise? The ‘show me, tell me’ questions are all available on the UK government website.
General driving ability
You’ll be directed to drive on different types of roads in a range of traffic conditions (though not motorways). Expect to pull over safely on the left several times. And you may be asked to perform an emergency stop.
Independent driving
You’ll be asked to follow directions from a sat nav or road signs for roughly 20 minutes.
Reversing manoeuvres
You’ll be asked to do one of the following things:
- Parallel park on the side of the road.
- Park in a parking bay.
- Pull over to the right, reverse two car spaces and rejoin traffic.
Common driving test mistakes
Some of the top reasons people fail a driving test include:
- Not checking mirrors when changing direction.
- Poor observations at junctions.
- Not moving off safely.
- Incorrect positioning when turning right.
- Not reacting correctly at traffic lights.
How is the test scored?
It’s the examiner’s job to watch for driving mistakes during your test. Any error will be classed as a ‘minor’ or a ‘major’.
A minor is a less serious mistake that has minimal consequences for other drivers. This could be forgetting to check your mirrors or hesitating at a junction. You’re allowed 15 minors before it counts as a fail. However if you make the same minor mistake three times, it becomes a ‘major’.
A major is a serious driving fault that has the potential to endanger other drivers. You only need to get one ‘major’ to fail your test.
What happens when you pass or fail?
You’ll always complete the full driving test, even if you get a major within the first minute. After, the examiner will tell you straight away whether you’ve passed or failed and what (if any) mistakes you made.
If you pass
Congratulations! You’ll get your driving test pass certificate and maybe shed a happy tear or two.
You’ll then need to trade your provisional in for a full UK driving licence — which you can do automatically by handing your provisional to the examiner. They will arrange for the Driving Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to send it to you in the post.
If you want to change the photo or any of the details on the licence you’ll need to apply for a new licence yourself. Do it within two years or you’ll need to retake the test!
Although your shiny new licence can take up to three weeks to arrive, you’re allowed to drive independently right away. Just as long as you’ve bought a car, got it taxed, and found the right insurance.
If you already have all those things, it’s very important to tell your insurer about the change to your licence. You could have problems making claims if you don’t.
If you fail
Try not to feel too disheartened. The average pass rate for the UK driving test in 2022/23 was just 48.4%, so you’re not alone! The best thing to do is book a new test date as soon as possible and keep practising.
Tips to help you pass
- Check your mirrors again and again (make sure the examiner sees you do it).
- Don’t panic if you make a mistake. Remember, you’re allowed 15 minors!
- Going the wrong way, or stalling, is okay if you keep driving safely.
- You can’t take the test if you don’t bring your provisional licence.
- Get to know the area of your chosen test centre.
Good luck passing!
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