Travel

Driving

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Have a look at the information below to help you prepare for the world of motoring.

Driving and the Law

• At 14 you can ride an electronically powered cycle.
• At 16 you can ride a moped up to 50cc, a mowing machine and small tractor.
• At 17 you can drive a car, a motorcycle, a large tractor and a van up to 3.5 tons.
• At 18 you can drive a van or lorry up to 7.5 tons.
• At 21 you can drive all other vehicles, but remember, many car and minibus hire firms ask for drivers to be at least 21, 23 or 25.
• Before driving any vehicle, you must have a provisional or full licence.
• As a learner, you must display red L-plates and be supervised by someone who has held a licence for a minimum of 3 years and who is at least 21.
• Learner drivers cannot ride or drive on a motorway.
• You cannot book the practical driving test until you have passed the theory test – you have 2 years to pass the practical test after you have taken the theory.
• After passing your practical driving test, you need to display green L-plates for 6 months.
• It is illegal to drive a vehicle without an MOT certificate, car insurance and a tax disc.
• If you get 6 penalty points on your licence in the first 2 years after passing your test, you will automatically lose your licence.

Learning to Drive

Firstly you’ll need to get a provisional licence from the Driving Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA). You can get the application form (D1) from post offices. Don’t drive until your licence arrives and sign it as soon as you get it.

A provisional car licence is valid until you are 70 but a provisional motorbike licence is only valid for 2 years. Check out the DVLA website for more information on applying for a licence, plus loads more driving information or ring them on 0870 240 0009.

It is best to take driving lessons with a qualified instructor. The instructor will know exactly what’s needed to get you through your test. The test is in 2 parts – theory and practical. The theory test is made up of 35 multiple-choice questions and a video hazard perception test. Find out more about the tests and book online at the Driving Standards Agency website.

Insurance, Tax and MOT

As well as having to buy your car or motorbike, you need to put aside cash for the insurance, tax and MOT.

If you drive, you must be insured. Shop around for the best deal or try out a price comparison site like confused.com, comparethemarket.com or Money Supermarket.

Your car or motorbike must have a valid tax disc at all times unless you have informed the DVLA that it is off the road. A tax disc for a car lasts either 6 months (£63.25-£99 for cars registered before 2001 based on engine size, and £63.25-£165 for cars registered after 2001 based on fuel type & CO2 emissions) or a year (£115-£180 for pre-2001 cars, and £35-£300 for post-2001 cars). For a motorcycle, it ranges from £15-£64 for a year. Tax discs are bought at main post offices or you can buy them online.

Like tax, MOT certificates last a year and all cars and motorbikes over 3 years old need to have one. It’s a way of proving that your vehicle is safe to be on the road. You would need to take your car to an MOT approved garage for the test but repairs, if required, do not need to be carried out at the same place. MOT’s cost about £50 for cars and £27 for motorbikes.

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Page updated: Friday, November 14, 2008 11:51 AM