Learning to drive in the new year

08/01/13

It’s January again and you know what that means - plenty of sales, New Year’s resolutions and tightening of the belt after all the festivities. Learning to drive is a very popular New Year’s resolution, and one that many people go on to complete.

The first step to getting your licence, other than obtaining your provisional, is finding a driving school or instructor to suit you. There are plenty available no matter what your location in the UK, although some of the more recognisable schools like BSM usually have money-off deals.

Once you’ve started the practical side of learning to drive you’ll need to invest in theory materials so you can study for your theory test. These can be in the form of books or CDs and DVDs to play on your computer. You can study these, as with your driving, at your own pace and can book your test at a local centre to suit you. It costs £31 and can be done via the direct.gov.uk site.

Once your driving instructor feels you are confident within your driving and are making very few mistakes, they will suggest booking you in for your practical driving test. If you do not feel you’re ready you can easily tell them you would rather continue with your lessons further; however, if they feel you are ready there is a good chance you will pass your test. The practical driving test costs £62 and can be booked here.

Once these tests have been booked they can easily be changed as long as you have kept your application reference number. This means you avoid booking and paying for your test twice. Once you’ve passed your test and received your licence you can cross it off your New Year’s resolution list – possibly the first time you’ve crossed one off!