Learning to drive in the UK: provisional licence, theory and test

Learning to drive in the UK opens up your options enormously, especially outside London. The process has three main steps: getting a provisional licence, passing the theory test, and then passing the practical driving test. Here is how it all works.

Do you already have a Nepali driving licence?

If you have a full Nepali driving licence, you may be able to exchange it for a UK licence rather than starting from scratch. See our separate guide on driving licence exchange for full details. If exchange is not possible or you have been in the UK beyond the permitted driving period, you will need to go through the full UK licensing process below.

Step 1: apply for a provisional driving licence

You must be at least 17 years old (16 for a moped). Apply online through the DVLA at gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence. You will need:

• A UK address
• Your passport or UK biometric residence permit (BRP/eVisa)
• A digital photo meeting DVLA standards
• Payment of the licence fee - as a guide, around £34 when applying online; check the current fee on the DVLA website as it may change

Your provisional licence arrives in the post within about a week. Once you have it, you can legally drive on UK roads as a learner, provided you display L plates and are accompanied by a qualified driver aged 21+ who has held a full UK licence for at least three years.

Step 2: pass the theory test

Before you can book a practical test, you must pass the theory test. This has two parts taken in the same sitting:

• Multiple choice: 50 questions from the Highway Code, road signs, and driving knowledge. You need 43 correct to pass.
• Hazard perception: video clips where you click when you spot developing hazards. Good scores require practice, not just reading.

Book the theory test at gov.uk/book-theory-test. The fee is around £23 - check the current amount when you book. The DVSA Official Theory Test Kit app is a popular revision tool. You can take the test at a centre near you; you choose your test language but Nepali is not currently listed - most tests are in English.

Step 3: take driving lessons

You can take lessons at any point after getting your provisional licence. Choose an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) - look for the green octagonal badge in their car and confirm they are on the DVSA register. Lesson prices vary by location and instructor; as a guide, expect to pay somewhere in the range of £30–£50 per hour in most parts of the UK, though London tends to be higher. Shop around and read reviews. Most people need between 40 and 50 hours of lessons before they are test-ready, though this varies greatly.

Step 4: pass the practical driving test

Once your theory test is passed (it is valid for two years) and your instructor thinks you are ready, book your practical test at gov.uk/book-driving-test. The test lasts around 40 minutes and includes:

• An eyesight check
• ‘Show me / tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• Around 20 minutes of independent driving (following a sat-nav or road signs)
• General driving including manoeuvres such as parallel parking

The fee is around £62 on a weekday - check the current fee when booking. You are allowed up to 15 minor faults; a single serious or dangerous fault means a fail. If you fail, you must wait 10 working days before re-sitting.

Once you pass

Your provisional licence is automatically upgraded - you will receive a full licence from the DVLA. For the first two years after passing, if you accumulate 6 or more penalty points on your licence, you will lose it and have to resit both tests.

Full official guidance is at gov.uk/learn-to-drive-a-car.