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🚗 How to Get Your UK Driving Licence - Complete Step by Step Guide

Welcome to the Right Drive Academy Learning Zone — your trusted resource for passing the UK driving test and securing your full or automatic driving licence.
For over two decades, we’ve proudly helped thousands of learners across the UK achieve their driving goals. Whether you're just starting out or preparing for your practical test, this page offers expert guidance, proven tips, and essential tools to support every step of your journey.

What You’ll Find Here:

Step-by-step advice on how to get your full UK driving licence
Support for both Manual and Automatic licence learners
Common reasons people fail — and how to avoid them Visual guides, learner tips, and test-day checklists

Start your journey with confidence. Explore the resources below and let Right Drive Academy help you pass with precision, pride, and peace of mind.

STEP - 1
To begin your driving license journey, you must have a UK Provisional license.
It must have an UpToDate photograph.
This process can be done via the PostOffice by filling out the relevant Application forms, but the most efficient way is to do it online.

www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence

Apply for Provisional Licence

STEP - 2
The Theory test comprises of the following

50 x multiple choice questions (Pass Mark =43)

14 x Hazard perception videos. (Pass Mark = 44)

You must complete both sections and pass both parts, to successfully pass your theory test.
We recommend plenty of practice and suggest you purchase relevant supporting books, e literature and relevant APPs onto your device so that you can practice.

We recommend Driving Test Success or the Official DVSA App to pass your theory test.

Download Theory Test App

BOOK THAT THEORY TEST
Now that you've been practising and scoring those high pass marks, it's time to book you theory test.
Use the image/link below to go to the official DVSA website to book your theory test.
You will need your
provisional license number, email address and a suitable payment method.

All the best.

Official Theory test booking from the DVSA/GOV website

Book theory test

Additional Resources to help you with your theory

The Highway code
Safe Driving for life - Blog

Highway Code (Gov.uk)

Safe Driving For Life (Official)

STEP 3

A Passed Theory test gives you a 2 year window to pass your practical driving test.
You should be training and doing driving lessons. Manual or automatic the choice is yours.
The Driving test is approximately 40 mins long
A DVSA Examiner will conduct the test and and return to the test centre.
At the end of the test, your driving scores will be totalled up and then if you are successful you will be given a PASS certificate and an email confirmation of your passing.
This means you can drive for then on. The Examiners will keep your provisional and send it to DVLA who will issue you your full license. (usually comes within 3 weeks in the post)

The Ready to Pass is a great campaign and resource for you to understand more about the driving test and where you need to be to pass the test.

Do plenty of MOCK tests they really do make a difference.

Ready to Pass - GOV.UK

UK Driving Test process from the DVSA/GOV website

Driving Test Process - GOV.UK

The full breakdown from the DVSA themselves on what to expect on the day of the test, a great resource to make sure you have everything you need to pass that test.

Official Booking website for the Practical driving test from the DVSA /GOV website

Its important to be careful where you personal details do go, so here's the Official DVSA test booking website and with the new changes proposed this year - navigating this site would be wise

Book Driving Test - GOV.UK

🚦 Vehicle Safety Questions – What to Expect on Your Driving Test

During your UK car driving test, the examiner will ask you two vehicle safety questions — one before you drive, and one while you're driving.
🗣️ “Tell Me” Question At the start of your test, you’ll be asked to explain how you’d carry out a safety check.
👋 “Show Me” Question While driving, you’ll be asked to demonstrate a safety task when it’s safe to do so.

❗ You’ll receive one driving fault (minor) if you answer incorrectly.
❗ You may fail your test if your driving becomes dangerous while answering a “show me” question.

🗣️ “Tell Me” Questions – Explained
Here are the official DVSA “tell me” questions you may be asked:

How do you check brakes before a journey?
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off. The vehicle should not pull to one side.
Where do you find tyre pressure info and how do you check it?
Use the manufacturer’s guide and a reliable pressure gauge. Check when tyres are cold. Don’t forget the spare and refit valve caps.
How do you adjust your head restraint correctly?
The rigid part should be level with the eyes or top of ears and close to the back of the head.
How do you check tyre tread depth and condition?
No cuts or bulges. Minimum 1.6mm tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
How do you check headlights and tail lights are working?
Operate the switch (ignition if needed), then walk around the vehicle.
How do you know if the anti-lock braking system has a fault?
A warning light will illuminate on the dashboard.
How do you check indicators are working?
Operate the switch (ignition if needed), then walk around the vehicle.
How do you check brake lights are working?
Press the brake pedal and use reflections or ask someone to help.
How do you check power-assisted steering before driving?
Apply gentle pressure while starting the engine — you should feel movement. Or turn the wheel just after moving off.
How do you switch on rear fog lights and when would you use them?
Operate the switch (with dipped headlights and ignition on). Check the warning light. Use in fog or visibility below 100m.
How do you switch from dipped to main beam and know it’s on?
Operate the switch (ignition on if needed) and check the main beam warning light.
How do you check engine oil level? (Bonnet open)
Identify dipstick, check oil level against min/max markers.
How do you check engine coolant level? (Bonnet open)
Identify high/low markings on header tank or radiator cap. Top up if needed.
How do you check brake fluid level? (Bonnet open)
Identify reservoir and check level against high/low markings.

👋 “Show Me” Questions – Explained
These are the “show me” questions you may be asked while driving:

Show me how to wash and clean the rear windscreen
Show me how to wash and clean the front windscreen
Show me how to switch on your dipped headlights
Show me how to set the rear demister
Show me how to operate the horn
Show me how to demist the front windscreen
Show me how to open and close the side window

🎥 Learn More on Our YouTube Channel
Real Car Examples. Expert Guidance. Easy to Follow.
Want to see how to answer the “Show Me, Tell Me” driving test questions in real cars?
Head over to the Right Drive Academy YouTube Channel for step-by-step video guides, practical demonstrations, and tips to help you pass with confidence.
✅ Watch how to answer in different car models
✅ Learn from real-life learner examples
✅ Get insider tips from experienced instructors
👉 Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to stay updated with the latest driving test advice and learner success stories.
🔗 Visit our YouTube Channel

Youtube Channel

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THE SHOW ME AND TELL ME VIDEO SERIES - HOW TO PASS YOUR DRIVING TEST
You will find a video library of OUR TRAINING CARS below and how to open the bonnet and successfully answer the Bonnet and engine bay questions as part of your test.