Before we start, it’s important to understand what type of driving licence you need:

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Category B – Most common. Allows you to drive cars and small vans

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Provisional Licence – The learner licence you apply for first

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Full Licence – Issued after you pass both theory and practical tests

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Automatic-Only Licence – If you pass your test in an automatic car

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Motorcycle & Commercial Licences – Separate categories with different steps

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Step-by-Step: How to Get a Full UK Driving Licence

1. Apply for a Provisional Licence

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This is where everybody needs to start, but thankfully it’s pretty simple. There’s a good chance you already have a provisional licence as a form of identification if you’re older than 16, but if you’re a new resident or are looking to get your licence for the first time, this is the first step. 

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There are some basic requirements before you can apply. You must be at least 15 years and 9 months old, be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, and be a UK resident with valid proof of identity.

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It’s also incredibly easy to apply for. You can apply for your first provisional driving licence online or by post using form D1 (available at most Post Offices), and the boxes to fill in are very straightforward. What’s important to bear in mind, however, is that the way you do it affects the cost. It costs £34 if you do it online but £43 by post. Regardless, once you apply, the DVLA should send you an email confirming they’ve got your application, and the timeframe cited is within 1–2 weeks.

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Always make sure to check the GOV.UK site for the most updated info.

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2. Pass the Theory Test

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You can book your theory test as soon as you get your provisional licence.

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The test consists of 2 parts: a set of multiple choice questions covering the rules of the road, and a series of hazard perception video clips to assess your awareness and reaction time.

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Both sections need to be passed in the same sitting to move forward. To pass, you need to score at least 43 out of 50 on the multiple-choice section and 44 out of 75 on the hazard perception section. That’s almost 70%, which is a first class in uni. If you ask us, that’s fair enough, we don't need no second class drivers on the road.

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The theory test costs £23 and can be booked easily online via the official GOV.UK booking site. Once you pass, you’ll be eligible to take the practical driving test.

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3. Take Driving Lessons

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Technically, you don’t have to do this step. In the UK, there are no minimum amount of hours required by law necessary to be able to take your test, unlike other countries.

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However, the UK practical test is no joke. One ‘major fault’ and you’ve failed. So even if you’ve been driving for a while in another country, or have been illegally driving your mum’s vauxhall since you were 14, we’d definitely recommend you to take some lessons to familiarise yourself with the UK driving laws.

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Most people, on average, will likely require 40+ hours to be test-ready - specifically if they haven’t actually driven before. But you actually have a couple of options when it comes to who teaches you. You can either book lessons online with book lessons with a certified driving instructor (ADI) for structured, professional training, or you can practise with a friend or family member, as long as they’re 21 or older, have held a full driving licence for 3+ years, and you’re properly insured on the vehicle.

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Again, this means costs will vary. If you were to go with a professional certified instructor, average prices are around £30–£40/hour. But if you were to go with a friend or a family member, they might just ask you to buy them a Nando’s per lesson. I guess the prices aren’t too far off given Nando’s inflation nowadays.

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Remember, if you’re learning in an automatic, you should obviously be tested in an automatic, and therefore will only be licensed to drive automatic cars. So, if you want to be licensed to drive a manual, make sure you not only learn in a manual, but also book for a manual test.

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4. Book and Pass the Practical Driving Test

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Once your instructor says you're ready (or you feel confident), book your driving test at a local test centre, or wherever is convenient and available.

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These can be extremely hard to come by (specifically in London; some other cities might have more availability), so make sure you book well in advance. You can even book this in advance to being ready to take it, so that you get your licence as quickly as possible. Once you’ve passed your theory, just account for how long it’ll take for you to get all your lessons done.

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The test includes:

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• Vehicle safety questions (“show me, tell me”)
  
• 20 minutes of independent driving, where you’ll follow road signs or a GPS
• A series of general driving tasks and reversing manoeuvres like parallel parking or bay parking
  
  

Again, everything can be booked easily online, and you can find the nearest test centre to you through the official GOV.UK booking site. If you have some time on the weekdays, you can save some money and pay £62 for the test. But if you prefer/must do it on the weekend, it’ll set you back £75

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5. Receive Your Full UK Licence

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The best and most fulfilling step (obviously). Take it from someone who recently got their licence and knows what it feels like… it feels like you’re an absolute gangster.

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If you pass your practical test, your examiner should send your pass results directly to the DVLA, and your full driving licence should be posted to you within three weeks. However, you’re actually legally allowed to start driving straight after you pass, just keep your pass certificate on you (which your examiner will give to you), until your licence gets to you.

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But if things don’t go your way (hey, it happens), you’ll need to wait at least 10 working days before booking a retake. Use the time to regroup, practise what went wrong, and come back swinging. Because once you pass, the feeling is chef’s kiss.

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How to Convert a Foreign Licence to a UK Licence

Already have a licence from another country? You may not need to start from scratch.

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Exchangeable Countries

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There are a set number of countries which are eligible for you to exchange your foreign licence for an equivalent UK one without having to take a test in the UK.

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When we say equivalent, we mean if your licence from a foreign country is an automatic driving licence, you’re only eligible for an automatic UK driving licence, not a manual one (not that you’d want to make your life harder for no apparent reason).

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You can check if your licence qualifies as an exchangeable non-GB driving licence on the star website of this blog; you guessed it, GOV.UK. If it is, make sure you apply for the exchange within 12 months of becoming a UK resident.

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Non-Exchangeable Countries

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If your licence is from a non-exchangeable country, you can still drive in the UK for up to 12 months using your existing licence. But once that year is up, the rules tighten: you’ll need to apply for a UK provisional licence, then pass both the theory and practical driving tests before you can continue driving legally.

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How Much Does It Cost?

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How Long Does It Take?

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From start to finish, it usually takes 3 to 6 months for most learners. There are many factors however that can affect this, for example, how long it takes you to pass the theory, how long it takes you to feel ready to take the practical, whether or not there’s driving test slots available near where you live etc. But hopefully this guide should give you a good snapshot of what’s to come, so that if you do need to get a licence urgently, you can plan in the best way possible.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

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• Forgetting to bring your provisional licence to the test
  
  
• Not checking eyesight before starting lessons
  
  
• Ignoring DVSA waiting periods for retakes
  
  
• Assuming automatic licences allow you to drive manual
  
  

Conclusion

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Getting your UK driving licence may seem like a long journey, but it’s a structured process that thousands complete every day. Whether you’re 17 or 47, a student or a new migrant, following the right steps will help you pass confidently.

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If you found this guide useful, feel free to share it or bookmark for later. Have a question about foreign licences, test centres, or automatic-only rules? Drop a comment or message and we’ll help you out.

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