60-second summary
Just want the basics? Here’s your quick guide to the legal age for learning to drive in the UK:
You can start learning at 17 with a provisional licence. You can apply for it from 15 years and 9 months (16 years and 10 months in Northern Ireland). If you receive the higher rate of the mobility part of PIP, you can start learning at 16.
As a learner driver, you must have a valid provisional licence, be supervised by a qualified instructor or eligible driver and use a roadworthy, taxed, and insured vehicle. Motorway driving is only allowed with an approved driving instructor in a dual-control car.
The time needed to pass varies by individual, but older learners tend to have lower pass rates. Regular lessons and additional practice can help build confidence.
Older learners may face higher car insurance premiums than younger ones due to a lack of driving history. Comparing quotes can help you find a cheaper deal.
What age can you learn to drive?
In the UK, you usually have to be at least 17 years old and hold a provisional driver’s licence to start learning to drive.
Even though the minimum driving age in the UK is 17, in England, Scotland and Wales you can apply for your provisional licence well in advance, from the age of 15 years and 9 months. In Northern Ireland, you can apply for your provisional licence at the age of 16 years and 10 months.
Many people choose to take driving lessons as soon as they can. But if you didn’t get the chance when you were younger, the good news is that there is no upper age limit for taking driving lessons.
That means you can learn to drive later in life, so long as you follow the rules for learning to drive, including meeting the minimum eyesight standards for driving.
What age can a person with a disability learn to drive?
In the UK, you can learn to drive from the age of 16 if you receive, or have applied for, the higher rate of the mobility part of the Personal Independent Payment (PIP).
Just so you know, Compare the Market doesn’t compare car insurance for drivers under the age of 17.
What are the rules for learning to drive?
When learning to drive a car in the UK, you can drive at any time, day or night, but to stay legal you must:
Hold a valid provisional driver’s licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland
Be supervised by a qualified driving instructor, or eligible friend or family member
Display 'L' plates on the front and back of the car you’re learning to drive in – in Wales you can use ‘D’ plates instead
Learn to drive in a vehicle that’s roadworthy and properly taxed
Be properly insured to drive the car you’re learning in.
As a learner driver, you’re only permitted to drive on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales if you’re driving with an approved driving instructor, in a car with dual controls. In Northern Ireland, learner drivers aren’t allowed to drive on the motorway at all.
Note that, if you’re learning to ride a motorbike or moped, the rules are slightly different.
Am I too old to learn to drive?
You can learn to drive at any age.
Almost 6 million people aged 70 or older in Great Britain held a driving licence in 2022, so there’s nothing stopping you driving well into older age. However, you’ll need to renew your driving licence when you turn 70, and every three years after that.
Will it take me longer to learn how to drive because I’m older?
There’s no obvious link between the age you start learning to drive and the number of lessons you’ll need. It all depends on the individual, and a wide range of factors.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has said that it takes around 45 hours of lessons plus 22 hours of additional practice to learn to drive, although official advice now is that there is no set number of lessons or amount of practice needed.
Is it harder to pass your test when you’re older?
Unfortunately as a general trend, the older you get, the harder it is to pass your driving test.
For example, between April 2023 and March 2024:
17-year-olds had the highest pass rate of 59.2%
20-year-olds had a pass rate of 48.7%
30-year-olds had a pass rate of 44.2%
40-year-olds had a pass rate of 38.6%
50-year-olds had a pass rate of 36%
Learner drivers aged over 60 had the lowest pass rate of 34.6%.
What's the best age to learn to drive?
As you can see above, statistically the earlier you start learning to drive, the more likely you are to pass your driving test. Seventeen year-olds had the best pass rate of learner drivers between 2023 and 2024.
But this is only an average, and as an older learner you shouldn’t be discouraged. If you’re interested in driving, the sooner you start, the better. And many older drivers successfully pass their tests and go on to enjoy the freedom of the road.
Tips for learning to drive as an adult
Choose the right instructor: Look for an instructor who has experience teaching older learners and can tailor lessons to your pace and learning style.
Schedule regular lessons: Consistency is key. Try to schedule lessons regularly to build your skills and confidence.
Practise outside of lessons: If possible, practise with a friend or family member between lessons to get more experience.
Don’t forget about the theory: Keep up to date with the latest driving laws and regulations to ensure you’re fully prepared for your test.
Take care of your health: Make sure your eyesight is up to the standard required and address any health issues that might affect your driving.
Consider joining online forums or local groups where older learners can share experiences and tips. These communities can provide valuable support and encouragement.
Stay positive and patient: Learning to drive can be challenging, but maintaining a positive attitude and being patient with yourself can make the process smoother.
How to get cheaper car insurance
To help you save money on your car insurance policy, you could:
Increase your voluntary excess
Agreeing to pay more towards a potential claim could mean cheaper car insurance – so long as you could afford to pay it on top of the compulsory excess if you needed to claim.
Pay yearly instead of monthly
Paying for a year up front is often cheaper, as you’ll usually be charged interest if you spread the cost and pay your premiums monthly.
Consider a black box policy
If you can prove you’re a safe driver with telematics, you could get cheaper insurance at renewal time.
Build your no-claims discount
Each year you don’t make a claim, your no-claims discount grows.
Compare quotes online
One of the quickest and easiest ways to get cheaper car insurance is to shop around and compare quotes.
FAQs
Can you take driving lessons at 16 in the UK?
You can’t learn to drive on UK roads at the age of 16 unless you receive or have applied for the higher rate of the mobility part of the Personal Independent Payment (PIP).
However, there are learner driving courses available to 16-year-olds in the UK. On these specialist courses, under-17s can learn to operate a car on private roads so they have more confidence when they turn 17 and progress to real roads.
Are older learner drivers more likely to have an accident?
Statistically, older drivers are involved in far fewer collisions than younger drivers.
Research published by the Department for Transport in 2020 showed that, between the ages of 17 and 75, the chances of being involved in a road collision fall as drivers get older, when mileage is considered.
However, from 76 and over, the number of collisions per mile driven increases drastically, and drivers over the age of 86 have the highest rate of collisions per miles travelled. It’s worth noting though, that drivers over 86 travel far fewer miles than any other age group.
Am I fit enough to drive?
Older drivers can remain fit to drive until well into their later life. But it’s true that some of the faculties required for safe driving – such as vision, muscle power and control – can become more limited as we get older.
It’s worth getting checked regularly for any sight issues, as well as any other health problems that may affect your driving.
What age do you have to stop driving?
In the UK, there’s no legal driving age limit that forces you to stop driving. However, drivers are required to renew their driving licence every three years from the age of 70.
When doing this, drivers must confirm that they are still fit to drive, which includes meeting the minimum eyesight standard and declaring any medical conditions that might affect their driving ability.
The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) may require older drivers to undergo a medical examination or driving assessment if there are concerns about their ability to drive safely. It’s important for older drivers to regularly assess their own driving skills and health to ensure they remain safe on the road.
Julie is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and rewarding people for saving on their insurance through our loyalty and rewards programme. She’s spoken to the media, including outlets like Sky News, about car and home insurance, as well as our Meerkat rewards scheme.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by AI. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
