Not 17 Yet?

You can start learning driving theory at any age ....

You can't actually drive on the road until your seventeenth birthday, but there are a number of things that you can do long before that.

As you may know, there are now two separate tests that you have to pass before you can get a full licence to drive a car. There's the Theory Test, which is a computerised, touch screen test covering a basic knowledge of traffic signs, road markings, road sense, hazards, rules and regulations etc.

Your first step should be to buy a copy of The Highway Code (it's only £1.49) and familiarise yourself with it. It contains lots of advice for all road users and a section on driving theory. There are many other books (even multi-media Cd-Roms) to help you learn the theory.

The best people to give you personal advice about learning driving theory are driving instructors. Don't be afraid to contact us before you are 17.

We won't charge you for a friendly chat!

Apply for your provisional driving licence. You can do this up to two months before your seventeenth birthday.When you are being driven in a car (or even in a bus), start looking at the road from a driver's point of view. Look out for traffic signs, road markings (do you know what they all mean?), try to spot vulnerable road users such as children, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders etc. Think about dangers and hazards and how you could avoid them. Ask yourself if your driver is too close to the vehicle in front.

You can, of course, learn to ride a moped when you are 16. If you do, the experience will greatly help with your car driving, but you will quickly learn what it feels like to be a vulnerable road user! Learning to ride a moped or motorcycle is not currently covered by this site.