LEARNING GUIDE

Learner's Guide Driving in Oxford
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Apply for a provisional licence?

To get your first provisional driving licence for a moped, motorbike and car from DVLA online.
To apply you must:

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg)

You’ll need your Government Gateway ID. If you do not have one or need to re-register, you’ll get an ID as part of your application.

If you already have a provisional licence, you do not need to apply again to drive a car.

Start now

on driving licensing online

Before you start

It costs £34 to apply online. You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron, Maestro or Delta debit or credit card.

You’ll need to provide:

  • an identity document unless you have a valid UK biometric passport
  • addresses where you’ve lived over the last 3 years
  • your National Insurance number if you know it

You’ll get a confirmation email from DVLA after you’ve applied.

Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online. It may take longer if DVLA need to make additional checks.

When you can drive with a provisional licence

There are different rules depending on your age and the type of vehicle. Check what vehicles you can drive and when before you start to learn.

Other ways to apply

You can apply by post. Fill in form D1 available from the DVLA form ordering service and certain Post Office branches.

It costs £43 to apply by post. Make your cheque or postal order payable to DVLA (do not send cash).

You’ll also need to include:

You must send original documents - you cannot use the Post Office document certification service.

Send your application and payment to:

  • DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD - if all your documents are from the UK
  • DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AF - if any of your documents are from outside the UK

Your provisional licence should arrive within 3 weeks. Contact DVLA if it has not arrived by then.

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How to book your theory test?

Before you start You must have a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.

 

There are 2 parts to the test:

You book and take them as a single test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.

When you can take the theory test

You can take the theory test from your 17th birthday onwards.

You can take it from your 16th birthday if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Who needs to take the theory test

You usually need to take the theory test before you can get your full car driving licence.

You don’t need to take the car theory test if you:

If you have a moped or motorcycle licence

You must pass a car theory test before taking the car driving test.

If your licence isn’t from Great Britain

Find out if you can drive in Great Britain ( GB) with your non-GB licence without taking a theory and driving test.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your theory test after you’ve booked it.

You can check your appointment details if you’ve lost your booking confirmation.

Rebook your test

Rebook your theory test if you failed your test and want to re-sit it. You have to choose a date at least 3 working days away.

 

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How to book your practical driving test?

Before you start

You need your:

  • UK driving licence number
  • credit or debit card
  • driving instructor’s personal reference number if you want to check they’re available

You can check the cost of your driving test before you start.

You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day you take your test.
 


When you are ready click on the link below

B0OK YOUR TEST
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How the Practical Driving test is conducted? And What happens during the test?

There are 5 parts to the driving test:

  • an eyesight check
  • show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
  • general driving ability
  • reversing your vehicle
  • independent driving

The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.

How long does the test last?

You’ll drive for around 40 minutes.

You’ll drive for around 70 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test because you’ve been banned from driving.

 
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   EYESIGHT CHECK

You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

  • 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
  • 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.

You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.

   'SHOW ME, TELL ME’

QUESTIONS

You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the "show and tell me questions"

You’ll be asked the:

  • ‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving
  • ‘show me’ question while you’re driving

   'YOUR GENERAL DRIVING ABILITY

You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.

The examiner will give you directions that you should follow. Driving test routes aren’t published, so you can’t check them before your test.

Pulling over at the side of the road

You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:

  • normal stops at the side of the road
  • pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
  • a hill start

You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

   REVERSING YOUR VEHICLE 

The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

  • parallel park at the side of the road
  • park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
  • pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

  INDEPENDENT DRIVING

You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:

  • directions from a sat nav
  • traffic signs

The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.

They’ll set the sat nav up for you. You can’t use your own sat nav.

What If you can’t see the traffic signs?

If you can’t see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.

  INDEPENDENT DRIVING 

What if I Go off the route?

The examiner won’t give you a fault for taking a wrong turning.

They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.
 

What if you make mistakes during your test?

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.

The examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users
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Show me and tell me:

 

Show me questions:

  1. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
     
  2. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
     
  3. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
     
  4. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
     
  5. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
     
  6. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
     
  7. When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?

 

Tell me questions:

  1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
    Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. The vehicle should not pull to one side.
     
  2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
    Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
     
  3.  Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
    The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.
     
  4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
    No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
     
  5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
    Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
     
  6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
    Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
     
  7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
    Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
     
  8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
    Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
     
  9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
    If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
     
  10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
    Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.
     
  11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
    Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
     
  12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
    Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
     
  13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
    Identify high and low-level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
     
  14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
     
  15. Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.

 

You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.

 

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