How soon can a 17 year old get a licence?
Discussion
My daughter turns 17 next year. I want her to get a licence as soon as possible (we live in the middle of nowhere). I got my licence within a week of my birthday back in the 90s.
I've heard that there are huge delays in testing now.
What is the most efficient path to getting a licence as soon as possible?
I've heard that there are huge delays in testing now.
What is the most efficient path to getting a licence as soon as possible?
She can take her theory test on her 17th birthday, at which point you can book a practical. Get the provisional licence while she's 16 ready to go.
Once the theory test is completed you can log on and find tests at your local centres - it's worth shopping around the different test centres to find open slots, and also worth keep checking for cancellations on shorter notice.
Once the theory test is completed you can log on and find tests at your local centres - it's worth shopping around the different test centres to find open slots, and also worth keep checking for cancellations on shorter notice.
My son had a provisional at 16 and had a moped . He got caught by a 30mph speed camera and had to do a speed awareness course aged 16 on a provisional licence.
We purchased a slightly smashed up Fiesta and I taught him to drive on a private road. The first few lessons were all manoeuvres using the clutch from a standing start and no touching the accelerator.
He had booked and passed his theory within a few days of getting to 17 and then got a cancellation test with just 3 days notice. I downloaded all the driving test routes for Chertsey and we spent 3 days driving every road in Chertsey. The night before his test we tackled Heathrow.
Next day he passed in rush hour.
After he passed the first thing I did was glue a big spike to the centre of the steering wheel which should have slowed him down a little.
We purchased a slightly smashed up Fiesta and I taught him to drive on a private road. The first few lessons were all manoeuvres using the clutch from a standing start and no touching the accelerator.
He had booked and passed his theory within a few days of getting to 17 and then got a cancellation test with just 3 days notice. I downloaded all the driving test routes for Chertsey and we spent 3 days driving every road in Chertsey. The night before his test we tackled Heathrow.
Next day he passed in rush hour.
After he passed the first thing I did was glue a big spike to the centre of the steering wheel which should have slowed him down a little.
Yup as said above, you can apply for a provisional licence early, and get a test booked anywhere as soon as the theory test is passed. You can always then change it when a cancellation comes up… I can recommend the apps, or just go on DVLA site.
I am however a strong believer in ‘hours on the clock’. Both my daughters failed their tests the first time, and I knew they weren’t ready. Frankly I was glad as it meant more time getting instruction.
My younger daughter passed her test after three months and that was quick enough, in my view!
I am however a strong believer in ‘hours on the clock’. Both my daughters failed their tests the first time, and I knew they weren’t ready. Frankly I was glad as it meant more time getting instruction.
My younger daughter passed her test after three months and that was quick enough, in my view!
You can’t apply for a driving test until you pass your theory test.
Unless you’re in a disability scheme, you can’t even book the theory test until you’re 16 years and 9 months and in possession of a provisional.
As fast as we were able to do it in 2023;
Birthday June, theory test August, test date January, but got test cancellation in December.
Unless you’re in a disability scheme, you can’t even book the theory test until you’re 16 years and 9 months and in possession of a provisional.
As fast as we were able to do it in 2023;
Birthday June, theory test August, test date January, but got test cancellation in December.
Edited by Rough101 on Wednesday 13th March 11:29
I did mine 13 years ago now, but I was 8 weeks to the day after my 17th Birthday. Same circumstances - lived in the middle of nowhere and was desperate to pass. I applied for my provisional license beforehand and setup learner driver insurance on my mum's car so I could start driving on the morning of my birthday (I'd learned car/clutch control on a private road beforehand) and also booked my theory on my birthday, but there was a 2 week wait. I passed that and booked the first available driving test which was a further 6 week wait, that's as quick as I could possibly do it all.
If possible, it's well worth practising the basics on private land if you are able - it seems a waste to be paying an instructor for the inevitable hour or two of stalling if they've never been behind the wheel before. I booked a block of 6 lessons which was enough, although I'd been driving on private land for a good 6 months prior. It helped having a friendly farmer as a neighbour!
If possible, it's well worth practising the basics on private land if you are able - it seems a waste to be paying an instructor for the inevitable hour or two of stalling if they've never been behind the wheel before. I booked a block of 6 lessons which was enough, although I'd been driving on private land for a good 6 months prior. It helped having a friendly farmer as a neighbour!
You can get a provisional license as soon as she is 16. Once you have got that you book theory test to get a date as soon after her 17th birthday as you can. Once she has passed that you can book a driving test.
Just be aware that there are long delays with everything (depending on where you are). My daughter was 17 last October. Passed her Theory test a couple of days after her birthday, but quickest driving test available was nearly 5 months wait.
If she is going to have driving lessons, there may be a delay there too. Most I contacted had a six-month or longer waiting list, so I'd be looking now if I were you.
Just be aware that there are long delays with everything (depending on where you are). My daughter was 17 last October. Passed her Theory test a couple of days after her birthday, but quickest driving test available was nearly 5 months wait.
If she is going to have driving lessons, there may be a delay there too. Most I contacted had a six-month or longer waiting list, so I'd be looking now if I were you.
provisional licence can only be appiled for less than 2 months before 17th birthday, once in receipt you can then book the theory. Once that has been passed, you can book the test. There are plenty of apps that you can use that'll find you a date sooner than the initial one provided, which I suspect will be 4-6 months out.
Plenty of youtube videos to learn from , but also you need to consider the driving instruction, most instructors have a wait list of a couple of months. This won't stop you from sitting alongside and starting her off, but unless you plan to handle all the instruction you are going to need some help.
Alos, it's not a rush, the more practice they get, in a graduated fashion - private roads /science park roads > local lanes > local town > big city the more she will move with confidence between the challenges.
My youngest was taught by me
17 in July last year
in May-June - around a school car park
Theory test 4 days after her birthday
Science park Jul/Aug
Local roads Sept
Big city and test routes October to Dec
Dec Test.
Jan Skid Control
February Motorway lessons
I reckon we did over 100 hours of practice - her parking since the test has become a bit inconsistent, but she drives very well ( so far)
Plenty of youtube videos to learn from , but also you need to consider the driving instruction, most instructors have a wait list of a couple of months. This won't stop you from sitting alongside and starting her off, but unless you plan to handle all the instruction you are going to need some help.
Alos, it's not a rush, the more practice they get, in a graduated fashion - private roads /science park roads > local lanes > local town > big city the more she will move with confidence between the challenges.
My youngest was taught by me
17 in July last year
in May-June - around a school car park
Theory test 4 days after her birthday
Science park Jul/Aug
Local roads Sept
Big city and test routes October to Dec
Dec Test.
Jan Skid Control
February Motorway lessons
I reckon we did over 100 hours of practice - her parking since the test has become a bit inconsistent, but she drives very well ( so far)
You can't book the practical until you have done the theory.
When my daughter was learning did the practical on her birthday, but the soonest test was about 6 months away which she failed. I managed to get another test in 6 weeks time, but somewhere she did not know. Instructor swapped the test with someone who was not ready, and I think we got it down to 3 weeks.
Instructors are protective of their test slots as they are assessed on passes, so you can't just ring up and see if you can talk em into letting them have an early slot (well you can, but it's not likely to work)..
When my daughter was learning did the practical on her birthday, but the soonest test was about 6 months away which she failed. I managed to get another test in 6 weeks time, but somewhere she did not know. Instructor swapped the test with someone who was not ready, and I think we got it down to 3 weeks.
Instructors are protective of their test slots as they are assessed on passes, so you can't just ring up and see if you can talk em into letting them have an early slot (well you can, but it's not likely to work)..
LooneyTunes said:
Not sure if getting on the system early has any effect, but have been wondering if you can book your car theory test/actual test any earlier if you get a full tractor license at 16?
I wondered about this too, if the tractor test includes the same theory test as the car test, then it may be possible to join the dots.Actual said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
provisional licence can only be appiled for less than 2 months before 17th birthday,
What happened to riding a moped with a provisional licence aged 16 years?Is that now a thing of the past?
LooneyTunes said:
Not sure if getting on the system early has any effect, but have been wondering if you can book your car theory test/actual test any earlier if you get a full tractor license at 16?
No idea, but I'm the only person I've ever met who passed a moped test aged 16. Well I wanted to take my girlfriend on the back. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff