Plus Driving is a plain-English guide for anyone learning to drive a car in Great Britain. It walks through every stage in order, from applying for a provisional licence to your first months on your own, and links to the official rules on GOV.UK wherever a fee, date or legal requirement is involved.
Where are you up to?
Learning to drive, step by stepFrom your provisional licence to your test day, in the order you will actually do it.
Your provisional licenceWhen you can apply, what you need and when you can start driving.
The theory testHow the multiple-choice and hazard perception parts work and how to prepare.
Hazard perceptionWhat a developing hazard is and how the scoring window works.
The practical driving testWhat happens from the eyesight check to the debrief.
Show me, tell me questionsThe vehicle safety questions and how to get comfortable with them.
Test manoeuvresParallel parking, bay parking, pulling up on the right and the emergency stop.
Choosing an instructorBadges, dual controls, lesson structure and questions worth asking.
Practising with family or friendsWho can supervise you, insurance and L plates.
After you passThe first two years, Pass Plus and motorway confidence.
Night and bad-weather drivingLights, stopping distances and when not to set off at all.How to use this guide
Most learners move through the same five stages: get a provisional licence, start lessons, pass the theory test, pass the practical test, and then build experience as a new driver. Each page here covers one stage and ends with the next step, so you can read it start to finish or jump to the part you need today.
We don't sell lessons, book tests or take payments. The test system is run by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), and the only official places to book a theory or practical test are on GOV.UK. Be wary of third-party sites that charge extra to book a test for you.
Things that change, and where to check them
- Fees for the provisional licence, theory test and practical test are set by the government and change from time to time. We deliberately don't quote them; see GOV.UK: driving test costs.
- Test rules, such as which manoeuvres are tested, are set by the DVSA and published on GOV.UK.
- The Highway Code is updated periodically. Always read the current online version.