The Full Driving Licence enables individuals to drive regular passenger vehicles within Category B (i.e. vehicles below 3.5 tonnes). Having a Driving Licence is an important life skill which gives you the freedom to operate a vehicle when required. The Full Driving Licence is issued by DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) and is valid until you are 70 years old, although you are required to renew the photocard every 10 years. There are many jobs that require a Full Driving Licence such as Real Estate Agents and Delivery Drivers. 

To be eligible for a Full Driving Licence, you must be at least 17 years of age and have passed both the theory test and the practical test. You must also have no medical conditions that will affect your ability to drive safely. To learn more, please see guidance provided by the government. 

Below are a few simple steps you need to follow to apply for your Full Driving Licence (Category B):

Provisional Licence

To begin the process, you must apply for your Provisional Licence by visiting here. It costs £43.

Theory Practice and Test

Next, you need to book and prepare for your Theory Test. This lasts for 90 minutes and has 2 sections. Click here to book. It costs £23. Make sure that you prepare by using practice material. You cannot take your Practical Test without passing the Theory Test.

Practical Practice and Test

Finally, book and pass your practical test! It costs £62. You will need about 45 hours of lessons with an instructor to pass.

You will need to pass the Driving Theory Test to obtain your Full Driving Licence. A Provisional Licence is required to book your Theory Test. The test lasts for under 90 minutes and has two parts: Hazard Perception and multiple choice. You can prepare using books, apps or websites online. You will receive your results on the day of the test. 

You can book your test here.

Please note

You need to pass the theory test before booking your Practical Driving Test. Your theory test result is only valid for 2 years!

Passing the Practical Driving Test is a key part of your Full Driving Licence. You are likely to spend the bulk of your time preparing for this assessment. 

To prepare for the Practical Test, you will need to take instructor led training lessons. Your instructor will teach you the basics of driving safely on the road, as well as how to control a vehicle.

Over time you will gain confidence and feel comfortable driving independently. You will rehearse the following key maneuvers: emergency stop, reverse around a corner, reverse parking and bay parking. Using diagrams and feedback, your instructor will prepare you for the test and ultimately help you acquire a full Driver’s Licence. The DVLA recommends 45 hours of practice before taking the test.

The Practical Driving Test lasts for 40 minutes and has 3 key parts: ‘show me, tell me’ (vehicle safety questions), independent driving and general driving. You will receive your results on the day of the test.

Manual vs Automatic Transmission

Depending on what you find easier, you can choose whether you wish to take a manual or automatic test. You can find an instructor suited to your choice. Note: the manual allows you to drive both types of vehicles, whereas the automatic only allows you to drive automatic cars. 

Theory Test

To take the Practical Test, you will need to have successfully passed your theory test. Please note, this is only valid for 2 years!

Obtaining your Full Driving Licence has many different costs. To begin, you will need to apply for your Provisional Licence. This costs £43. Next, you need to factor in assessment costs: Theory Test fee (£23) and Practical Test fee (£62).

The largest cost is training for your practical test. For this, you will need to hire a professional instructor. The costs can vary depending on the number of Driving Lessons you require and the qualifications of the instructor. The DVLA (licensing body) recommends 45 hours of practice with an instructor.