Driving License time frame.

danotroy

I am 26 years old and I do not possess a full driving license. I had a provisional in Ireland for a number of years. However due to my sporadic nature of living abroad for uni and work I never settled long enough in ireland to apply and get a test in Ireland. I wish to now apply for a UK driving license. I know the process I have to go through but can anyone tell me how long from the day I apply for a provisional until the day I get sit my practical test?
The website says there is no required driving hours so in theory I could apply for my test as soon as I get my provisional.

Any ideas boards?

Michael D Not Higgins

Yes there are no minimum number of lessons but can you drive? Do you have access to a car? These things will determine if you will be able to practice and eventually pass the test.

danotroy

Yes I have access to a car. Im not worried about driving skills at the minute, I can many hours with an instructor if needs be, i'm more worried about the time frame. If I apply today when is the earliest opportunity I will be able to sit my practical test? two weeks? two months?

Michael D Not Higgins

danotroy wrote: »

Yes I have access to a car. Im not worried about driving skills at the minute, I can many hours with an instructor if needs be, i'm more worried about the time frame. If I apply today when is the earliest opportunity I will be able to sit my practical test? two weeks? two months?

I don't know what the waiting list is like and it is likely to be different in different parts of the country.

My girlfriend is currently learning to drive in the UK but is not at the stage of applying for a test. She has sat the theory test, which I believe had a fairly short waiting period.

EDIT: I've just found a page that lists waiting times up to 12 weeks for some test centres in London. This is apparently the worst in terms of waiting for the test.

danotroy

Thanks. I think i might apply in Ireland, an excuse to go home for a weekend.

Marcusm

danotroy wrote: »

Thanks. I think i might apply in Ireland, an excuse to go home for a weekend.

The other option is to try an intensive course. I learned with Noel Gaughan of intensivecourses.co.uk (no other connection etc). He's from Navan originally and has gained a little fame from teaching Adele, One Direction people etc but most of the business is normal people. He would assess your ability and plan a course - say 10 3 hour lessons over 2 weeks and then the practical test immediately afterwards.

What I found at the time was that while there were plenty of waiting lists, he specialises in monitoring availability (especially for cancellations), booking a slot and then scheduling the lessons.

You'd need to apply for the UK provisional and pass the theory test first.

Don't just assume that you can choose where to apply - both Ireland and the UK require the applicant to certify that they have lived in the country for the previous 6 months. While you might have an accommodation address, part fo the successful passing of the test is concentrating on driving the test routes - hard to do if you're flying in and out.