How Long Did It Take To Learn How To Drive

On average, it takes people 45 hours of driving lessons and a farther 22 hours of practice, commonly taken within a year, to larn to drive. This works out to at least 5-6 hours of driving per month.

Authorities information* secured by Adrian Flux reveals that over 67.seven% of learner drivers get their total licence within a year of outset receiving their provisional. Only 18.five% manage it in less than half dozen months and these people are more likely to be experienced, older drivers than new drivers.

From finding an instructor to taking your theory test, there are many stages of learning to drive – and each one takes time. While the Driver and Vehicle Standards Bureau (DVSA) says that you demand approximately 45 hours of lessons and 22 hours of practise, this effigy doesn't account for any time spent outside the car. How long does it accept to notice an instructor? Are there waiting lists for lessons? Tin can you lot book a test as soon equally yous experience set?

These unanswered questions are why Adrian Flux put in a Liberty of Information request to the Commuter and Vehicle Licensing Bureau (DVLA) – to detect out how long, in months, it really takes to bulldoze. This offers learners more than insight into whether they have time to learn before moving for academy, when they will finally be able to accept a road trip with their best mates or when they can put a case forwards to their parents nigh getting a new auto.

*Information shows time taken for a commuter to claim their full licence from the engagement they obtained a provisional licence from 2017 until 4 May 2019 by historic period range and postcode. Source: DVLA.

How age plays a factor

Data obtained by Adrian Flux shows that historic period plays a large role in how long information technology takes to learn to bulldoze. While those anile 44 and under are nigh likely to go their licence in six to 12 months, older drivers are almost likely to exist quicker (less than six months). In fact, 51% of 65-70-year-olds have less than six months between getting a provisional and a total licence.

The slowest learners are 25-34-yr-olds.

How long does it take to drive

By 18 months later first registering their provisional licence, 92% of 16-24-year-olds have got their total licence. This falls to 89% for 25-34-year-olds – the smallest percentage beyond all the age groups. This could suggest a gold window of opportunity for those aged 25-34 and that if you don't stop learning in the first 12 months, yous're more likely to take 18 months or longer.

In contrast, 99% get their full licence within eighteen months in the over 70s group. Of course, it'southward worth bearing in listen that merely 100 over-70s got their full licence in the fourth dimension period we reviewed.

The length of time it takes to bulldoze likewise varies by location

Where y'all live in the UK also has an bear on on the length of time information technology takes to larn to drive. Learners in Llandrindod Wells are not just almost twice equally likely as average to become their licence within six months (36.3% compared to 18.5%) simply accept an overall pass rate of 66.2%. That'south over twenty% college than the average laissez passer rates for the UK as a whole and the second-best pass rates in the country. Non a bad record for a small spa town in primal Wales – perchance in that location really is something in the h2o?

East Cardinal London, West London, Western Central London, South West London brand up the rest of the acme v fastest-learner locations. When looking at the data for those getting their total licence in six to 12 months, Llandrindod Wells yet tops the list (with 82.9%), this time with Galashiels, Aberdeen, Guildford and Taunton completing the list.

On the other finish of the spectrum, Halifax, Oldham and Wolverhampton appear in the ten worst areas for getting a licence with six months and 12 months. Information technology'south likely non a coincidence that these places besides appear in the tiptop five worst pass rates in the state.

There is too a link between the insurance run a risk of a location and the length of time it takes to learn to drive. Using our ain data, we can encounter that five of the 20 postcodes that we deem the highest risk (based on previous claims) likewise have the lowest percentages for getting a licence inside vi to 12 months.

How long does it take to drive

Substantially, the data suggests that the higher the insurance chance in your area, the less likely you are to get your total licence within 12 months.

How it all breaks downwards…

Now yous know how long overall it will take to get your licence, only how does that break down into each phase of the learning process? Beneath, nosotros offer you an idea of how long each stride will take, and then that you tin program your exciting journeying to become a fully-fledged commuter.

Before you get backside the wheel

From applying for your licence to planning your lessons, in that location's plenty to think about when yous learn to bulldoze, fifty-fifty before your kickoff lesson.

Getting your provisional licence

You tin can become your conditional licence by completing an online application form or picking up a newspaper version from an eligible Post Office (ask for form D1). Information technology will cost you £34 to employ – or £43 for postal applications – something to bear in mind if y'all need to salvage up start.

In one case you lot've applied, you lot should receive your licence inside i calendar week. Information technology can be longer if the DVLA crave further checks, but this is only in sure cases.

While you tin't start driving until you're 17, y'all can apply for your provisional licence as before long every bit yous accomplish 15 years and 9 months (and can read a number plate from twenty metres abroad). Doing so means you can skip this step when yous achieve driving age and caput straight into the step below – finding a driving instructor.

If you're planning to practice driving in a parent or friend'due south car, you'll also demand to go insurance, which yous can do once yous have your provisional licence. Rather than being added as a named driver to someone else's car, you may find information technology works out cheaper to become your own policy. Acquire more about Adrian Flux'due south provisional auto insurance .

Finding a driving instructor

Unless yous alive somewhere very remote, y'all should accept plenty of selection when looking for a driving teacher. In fact, there are around twoscore,000 driving instructors in the UK (Source: DVSA/DfT , June 2019).

If you lot want to discover cheap driving lessons , it's a skilful thought to spend a few hours comparing rates. Google is a practiced place to start, but likewise cheque disbelieve voucher sites similar Wowcher and Groupon to run into if yous can observe a practiced deal. Of class, rates are not the only factor to consider when choosing a driving school. You may be spending up to a year learning to drive, so you should too make certain they are trustworthy and patient – online reviews are helpful for getting a sense of what the teacher is like.

Y'all should also consider that non anybody will have availability straight away – areas where in that location are fewer driving instructors may have waiting lists. It's therefore a expert idea to have a backup option or, even improve, plan alee – start your research as soon as you ship off your provisional licence awarding.

Saving upward for lessons

Information technology won't be a surprise for y'all to read that learning to drive can be expensive. The boilerplate cost of a driving lesson is £26 per 60 minutes – and you're likely to take about 45 hours of lessons. If yous're hoping to learn quickly, let'southward say within six months, then you'll demand only nether £200 per month to cover your costs.

Unless you take the money saved already, or your parents are coughing up the cash, it could accept several months before yous can become started. Planning ahead is important when you lot want to learn to drive – try to save money a month in advance of starting, and so go on saving, and so that you know y'all can keep your lessons until y'all're ready for the exam.

Yous could also consider an intensive course, which usually works out cheaper per hr but needs to be paid in one lump sum. Some other thought is to book lessons in blocks as soon as you get enough money.

Practical lessons and instructor time

Once yous have your provisional licence, have found an teacher and booked your first lesson, the fun begins.

How long is a driving lesson?

A driving lesson is usually nearly 60-xc minutes long, although some instructors volition offering lessons that are two or more hours. If you cull to have an intensive form, you'll spend longer in the car during each session – expect five or more hours per lesson. You're unlikely to discover any lessons that are under an hour, equally there isn't plenty time to learn a manoeuvre and exercise it while the information is yet fresh in your mind.

How often should I exist taking lessons?

The frequency of your lessons really depends on how ofttimes you can beget them, your teacher'due south availability and your personal schedule. However, if yous program to larn inside a year, you should aim for around i or ii lessons per week – more than if you tin manage it.

Don't forget that most people spend 45 hours on lessons and 22 hours practising with a relative or friend. If you can't afford to accept multiple lessons each calendar week, schedule as much practice time every bit you tin can. This volition help go along what you've learned fresh in your mind, reducing the time spent going over past lessons.

How many driving lessons does it take to pass?

How long does it take to drive

The average amount of driving lessons you lot need before you're ready to sit your examination volition vary depending on the length of your lessons. If it takes almost 45 hours of lessons to pass and you take two-hours driving lessons, and then you'll demand to complete around 22-23 of them.

Information sourced by Adrian Flux suggests a similar number of lessons. If it takes up to 12 months to become a full licence and yous accept a lesson each week (minus 4 weeks for Christmas and holidays) we could estimate it would take around 48 hr-long lessons.

Age besides plays a part. The data we have sourced suggests that older drivers learn quicker. For example, 43% of people aged 55-64 become their full licence within vi months. Taking into account some holiday time, this is around 22 lessons.

Of course, everyone is different and you should take the test merely one time you are ready, even if this means 50 or 60 lessons!

Cistron in the theory

Before you can take your practical theory and trade in your provisional for a full licence, y'all'll need to pass your theory and hazard perception.

How long does it take to learn driving theory?

The length of time it takes to larn driving theory varies, merely if yous report for a few hours every week, you should be prepare for some mock tests in about a month. You should so do several mock theory and hazard perception tests before you do the real thing, then factor in some other week or so.

Information technology's a adept idea to programme alee. Get your theory test booked when you kickoff kickoff your driving lessons. Non simply will this motivate y'all to revise, it also means you won't have to expect to find a suitable time and engagement nearer the time.

Yous can start to learn driving theory as soon as you want – even before you lot have your lessons booked, if you similar. Still, the best time to start is at the same time you get backside the cycle. Learning the theory every bit you are putting the learnings into practice should help you to remember everything faster.

Sitting the theory test

The driving theory usually takes around an hour to consummate. When you get to the examination centre, you'll exist allowed a 15-minute do before your test begins. After this, you will have 57 minutes to consummate the theory section before moving on to the hazard perception. For this part of the test, you'll be asked to spot hazards on 14 one-minute videos. The maximum time spent on the bodily examination is therefore an hr and 11 minutes.

Exercise makes perfect

Taking the time to practice outside your lessons is incredibly helpful for learning to drive. It solidifies your learning, helping you lot to remember what yous've been taught and allowing yous to get out at unlike times of 24-hour interval.

Every bit noted earlier, it takes almost 22 hours of practise alongside the 45 hours of lessons to be ready for your test. This is a adept example of why the 45-hour statistic can be misleading – it doesn't factor in whether yous take access to a motorcar for practice, equally not everyone does. The length of time is a better indicator for estimating how long information technology takes to learn equally it doesn't rely on learners having admission to a practise car – it simply takes the average time between getting a provisional and getting a licence. It also shows that age is a cistron – a teen learning to drive could accept more practice sessions than an older person.

You may find that you learn quicker with a family or friend that understands what is expected of them and how they can help y'all. Bank check out our guide to supervising a learner driver (or laissez passer it on to whomever will be helping you lot acquire.)

Taking the examination

On average, the applied driving examination takes around forty minutes, although it can be a bit longer depending on traffic. You will find out immediately whether y'all accept passed or failed, so you'll exist able to head dwelling direct away without hanging effectually for ages.

Yous will usually be asked to book two-hours with your driving teacher. This will include the time it takes to go to the examination centre, getting checked-in, taking the test and then getting dwelling. You may too become a chance for some last-infinitesimal do.

Nobody wants to fail a driving test; with the right tips for passing first fourth dimension , it's possible that you'll never experience this thwarting. However, statistics from the DVSA (June 2019) show that pass rates for a beginning attempt are about 50% for men and 43% for women, increasing slightly for the 2nd endeavor then dropping for subsequent tries. Keep in heed that if you lot do non laissez passer first time, you'll demand to book some other examination, which may not exist for several weeks or longer. While this might not sound reassuring, recall that the statistics we have sourced shows that nearly people get their licence within a year, regardless of number of attempts.

Knowing exactly what to expect on the twenty-four hour period of your test can help to calm your nerves and give you the best take a chance of success. Read the Adrian Flux guide to passing your driving test .