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Rules for learner drivers

Before you start to drive, you must:

It is important to learn safe driving practice from the beginning of your driving career because bad habits are hard to break.

It is unlikely that anyone except an approved driving instructor (ADI) has the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly. Learning safe driving habits from the start will improve the safety of yourself and other road users.

If you want to practise your driving with an accompanying driver, the accompanying driver must be over the age of 21 and must have held (and still hold) a full licence, in the relevant vehicle category, for three years.

As a learner driver you must display 'L' plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) in a conspicuous position on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving.

* Please note - holders of provisional B cannot draw a trailer (whether laden or unladen) until they have passed the appropriate test.

Minimum age you can take a test

You can take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid.

Normally, for car drivers, the earliest date your provisional licence can become valid is your 17th birthday. You can apply for the licence up to three months before your 17th birthday however, you will still have to wait until your birthday before you can take your theory test.

For more information about applying for a provisional licence, please click on the link below.

• Applying for a provisional driving licence

Disability living allowance

If you are receiving disability living allowance at the higher rate your provisional licence will come into effect when you are 16, but you can apply for it within three months of your 16th birthday.

Motorcyclists

Direct access scheme

Direct access is a scheme which allows a person over the age of 21 to avoid the two year/25 kiloWatt (kW) restriction by taking a test on a machine of at least 35 kW (46.6 brake horse power (bhp)). A pass allows you to ride any size of bike. Any instruction given on a machine that exceeds the normal learner motorcycle specification must be supervised at all times by a certified motorcycle instructor who should be in radio contact. You should also wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions.

Accelerated access

Riders who reach the age of 21, while still within the two year period where they are restricted to maximum 25 kW (33 bhp) machines, but who wish to ride larger bikes need to pass a further test on a motorcycle of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). They may practise on bikes over 25 kW (33 bhp) under the same practice conditions for direct access riders.

You will revert to learner status while practising on a motorcycle greater than 25 kW (33 bhp) although test failure will not affect your existing licence.

Mopeds and tractors

If you want to ride a moped you can take your theory test when you are 16, but again you must make sure you have completed compulsory basic training (CBT) and have a valid provisional licence.

If you are 16 and already have a licence for an agricultural vehicle or a moped, this will give you provisional entitlement to drive a car when you are 17.

• About compulsory basic training (CBT)

More useful links

• Do you need to take a driving theory test?

• The theory test explained

• Practical test for cars explained