Your provisional licence is your golden ticket to start learning. You can apply online at gov.uk – it’s quicker and costs £43. If you prefer doing things the old-fashioned way, you can get a D1 application form from the Post Office, but it’ll cost you £50 and take much longer.

You’ll need a form of ID (usually your passport or birth certificate), and if you don’t have a passport, you’ll need to send original documents by post. The online application typically takes about a week to process, whilst postal applications can take up to three weeks.

While you’re waiting for your provisional licence to arrive, get cracking on studying for your theory test. You can’t take your practical test until you’ve passed your theory test, and it’s valid for two years.

The theory test has two parts: a multiple-choice section with 50 questions (you need 43 correct answers to pass) and a hazard perception test where you’ll watch video clips and click when you spot developing hazards.

Get yourself a copy of the Highway Code and consider using apps like the official DVSA Theory Test Kit. Many learners find these really helpful for practising on the go. You can book your theory test at gov.uk – it costs £23 and you’ll get your results immediately.

Here’s where the real learning begins! You’ve got two options: learn with a qualified driving instructor or have a friend or family member teach you (they must be over 21 and have held their full licence for at least three years).

Most people choose professional driving lessons in Burton-on-Trent because instructors know exactly what the examiners are looking for and can guide you through all the skills you’ll need. At Burton Driving School, we make learning to drive as stress-free as possible, tailoring our approach to suit your individual needs and learning style.

If you’re wondering how much driving lessons cost, prices vary across the country, but investing in quality instruction often means you’ll need fewer lessons overall. Many instructors offer block booking discounts, which can help spread the cost.

The number of lessons you’ll need varies hugely from person to person. The DVSA says the average learner needs about 45 hours of professional tuition plus 22 hours of private practice, but don’t let this put you off if you need more or fewer lessons.

You’ll need to decide whether to learn in a manual or automatic car. If you pass your test in an automatic, you can only drive automatic cars. Pass in a manual, and you can drive both.

Many driving schools, including Burton Driving School, offer both manual driving lessons and automatic options. With electric cars becoming more common, learning automatic is becoming increasingly popular.