On British roadways, you must be at least 17 years old before you may begin driver education.
If you’re 17 years old, you can take and pass the written and driving test for your driver’s licence exams.
This will then allow you to drive a motor vehicle without any additional passengers. The minimum age to apply for a provisional licence in most regions is 15 years and 9 months.
You’ll be able to drive anything, not just cars, at that age. Also, if you apply early enough, you can start practising driving with a licenced adult passenger and under other learner regulations as soon as you turn 17.
However, it’s not the whole picture, as there are many exceptions that allow you to start driving lessons at a younger age.
What age can you learn to drive – If you’re under 16😭
You’re not old enough to learn to drive a car yet
You can apply for a provisional licence at 15 years and 9 months old. You can learn to drive a car and take a test at 17.
If you already have a provisional licence to ride a moped, you do not need to reapply.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition
In England and Wales
You can learn to drive a car and take a test when you’re 16 if you get either:
- the ‘mobility part’ of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the higher rate
- the mobility or care component at the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and have applied for PIP – you must be receiving DLA before you turn 16 to be eligible
In Scotland
You can learn to drive a car and take a test when you’re 16 if you get any of the following:
- the ‘mobility part’ of PIP at the higher rate
- the ‘mobility part’ of Child Disability Payment (CDP) at the higher rate – you must be receiving CDP before you turn 16 to be eligible
- the mobility or care component at the higher rate of DLA for children and are waiting to be transferred to get CDP
What age can you learn to drive – If you’re 16😀
Normally need to be 17 to learn to drive a car
You can apply for a provisional licence. You can learn to drive a car and take a test at 17.
If you already have a provisional licence to ride a moped, you do not need to reapply.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition
In England and Wales
You can learn to drive a car and take a test when you’re 16 if you get any of the following:
- the ‘mobility part’ of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the higher rate
- the mobility or care component at the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and have applied for PIP – you must be receiving DLA before you turn 16 to be eligible
In Scotland
You can learn to drive a car and take a test when you’re 16 if you get either:
- the ‘mobility part’ of PIP at the higher rate
- the ‘mobility part’ of Child Disability Payment (CDP) at the higher rate – you must be receiving CDP before you turn 16 to be eligible
- the mobility or care component at the higher rate of DLA for children and are waiting to be transferred to get CDP
What age can you learn to drive – If you’re under 17 and over😎
You can apply for a provisional licence and learn to drive a car
Apply for a provisional licence. If you already have a provisional licence to ride a moped, you do not need to reapply.
You must obey the rules for learning to drive a car.
If you take your driving test in an automatic car you can only drive automatic cars.