[Question] From getting Theory, how long before you can legally drive on the road?

Well Lad

If you get theory at 16, when you go 17 you can apply for Learner Permit, and then when 18 you have to do driving lessons before you can do the full test? :rolleyes:

I dont have a clue about the new system, Im just asking for a friend who is just gone 16

Thanks anyway :pac:

**Timbuk2**

You can do the theory at any age, but the cert is only valid for 2 years, so really the minimum age (assuming your friend wants to drive cars and not just tractors) is effectively 15.

Once you pass your theory test, and assuming your friend has reached the age of 17, he/she can then apply for a learner permit (after taking an eye test, getting passport photos, etc.). This is done at the motor tax office, usually, but can be applied via post.

The LP can take anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks to arrive in the post (there are some extreme cases where people get it on the day, but usually it's in the post). Once you receive this, you can legally start driving once your accompanied by a fully licenced driver who has held their licence for over 2 years, the car you are driving is Tax'ed and NCT'd (if applicable), and that you are insured to drive! You can also start taking lessons.

You cannot sit the driving test until you have had your LP for 6 months (but you can apply before 6 months is up, you just need to have had your LP for 6 months or longer on the day), and you need to complete 12 compulsory driving lessons with an ADI before being allowed to sit your test (this is a minimum, you can take more lessons if you like).

You can take your test when you are 17, there is no obligation to be 18!

Well Lad

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

You can do the theory at any age, but the cert is only valid for 2 years, so really the minimum age (assuming your friend wants to drive cars and not just tractors) is effectively 15.

Once you pass your theory test, and assuming your friend has reached the age of 17, he/she can then apply for a learner permit (after taking an eye test, getting passport photos, etc.). This is done at the motor tax office, usually, but can be applied via post.

The LP can take anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks to arrive in the post (there are some extreme cases where people get it on the day, but usually it's in the post). Once you receive this, you can legally start driving once your accompanied by a fully licenced driver who has held their licence for over 2 years, the car you are driving is Tax'ed and NCT'd (if applicable), and that you are insured to drive! You can also start taking lessons.

You cannot sit the driving test until you have had your LP for 6 months (but you can apply before 6 months is up, you just need to have had your LP for 6 months or longer on the day), and you need to complete 12 compulsory driving lessons with an ADI before being allowed to sit your test (this is a minimum, you can take more lessons if you like).

You can take your test when you are 17, there is no obligation to be 18!

Thanks for the detailed reply

So if you were 15 , you can do your theory test?
And its valid for 2 years , valid for what though?
If I was 15 now and got my theory, 09/10/2013 it would expire. But if I had applied for my learners say in August '13 say I just went 17 start of August '13, would that be valid? Or would I have to end up re-doing my theory sometime in the future, say for my full liscence? :rolleyes:

Sorry for the confusing replys
Im just interested in this

**Timbuk2**

Sorry I should have elaborated a bit on that point!

When you pass your theory test, you get a Certificate saying you have passed. This Certificate is valid for 2 years.

You need this certificate to apply for your Learner Permit, so once you apply for your LP before this expires (2 years after you pass the Theory Test), then that's fine - you don't need it to be valid for your full licence or anything.

You say your friend has just gone 16. So if they took their theory test today, and passed, their certificate would be valid until this time in 2013. They'll have reached their 17th birthday before then, so once you apply for your LP before the Certificate of passing the theory test expires, then that's fine!

But to really honest though, there's not a huge point of doing the theory test while 15, or having just gone 16. There isn't a huge waiting list to take theory tests (at least there wasn't when I did it in 2009), so you could wait until you are nearly 17 to take it! Don't pay too much heed to any rumours that it's going to be made harder or anything - they've been going around for years! Generally they'll update the version every few years, but it's just an update, they're not making it any more difficult!

Permabear

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MascotDec85

It should be noted that there are definite plans afoot to bring in a Hazard Perception Test in addition to the Theory Test. Therefore, some might want to have the pass cert in hand

eimear10

and what will a hazard perception test entail?

**Timbuk2**

eimear10 wrote: »

and what will a hazard perception test entail?

Probably something like the UK Hazard Perception test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrUa4vYQ7bM

pudzey101

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Really:)?? jesus im glad iv gone and passed my test now!:) say lessons are 40e a pop thats 480e!!!:) you'd feel sorry for young drivers but i supose this system is safer than the old one!:)