Becoming a new driver
The opportunity for your child to learn how to drive is an exciting milestone. They will start to have more independence and it means there will soon be less chauffeuring from you as the parent and before you know it, they’ll be driving you around – even better!
We've made a list to break this down for you, to get your child on the road:
Getting a provisional licence
Your child is able to apply for this when they turn 16 and can then start learning to drive when they are 17. They can apply for their provisional licence by going onto the GOV.UK website.
Driving lessons and booking tests
Before thinking about taking the tests, your child will need to find themselves a driving instructor. There are many driving schools that will be running in your area but you may have more luck getting hold of someone who has been recommended to you. Your child can either choose to do an intensive driving course or have separate lessons to go at a pace that suits them. They can find driving schools, lessons and instructors here. You can find and book intensive driving courses in the UK here.
On average, people learning to drive have around 45 hours of lessons before taking their driving test. There is no minimum amount of hours needed to take a test; your child will do so when their instructor thinks they are ready.
To get a full driving licence, your child will need to first take a theory test and then the driving test. They can book their theory and practical tests on the GOV.UK website. You can find the latest official driving books and DVDs to help with theory tests here. You can also find second-hand copies online through the likes of eBay and Amazon.
It is important that your child brings their provisional licence with them for their first driving lesson, their theory test and their practical test – the instructor won’t let them get behind the wheel if they forget it!
Once they have passed their driving test, they may want more experience behind the wheel and can take a Pass Plus course. This is a more intense course to get your child feeling more confident driving a car in all kinds of situations.
Car buying tips for you and your child
Searching for a car for your child is so exciting and will give them the freedom to go wherever they’d like behind the wheel.
Looking for the best insurance for new drivers
When you have found a car you like for your child, either second hand or from a car dealership, you should work out how much the insurance will cost through price comparison websites, such as Confused.com and Go Compare.
Your child can take a Pass Plus course after they pass their driving test which helps lower their insurance. The Pass Plus is a more intense course which involves learning to drive on motorways and down tricky country roads.
More than 75% of all first-time drivers aged between 17 and 19 have black box car insurance, a telematics device which records your child’s driving, including speed and braking to share with the car insurance provider. If your child drives safely, their insurance quote will decrease thanks to the black box installed in their car.
Adding yourselves as the parent onto your child’s policy can also help lower the cost of the car insurance.
We hope this information will help your child with learning to drive and support them in choosing a car to suit them.