Stop and take breaks to discuss how it’s going. Your supervisor should make sure it’s a well-ventilated and peaceful environment. They shouldn’t shout or do anything to raise your stress levels.
What ID do you need to apply for a provisional licence as a UK citizen?
How you prove your identity in the UK depends on which identity documents you have.
There are different rules in Northern Ireland.
How to prove identity with a UK passport
If you have a valid UK passport, you can copy the 9-digit passport number onto the application form.
Do not send your physical passport.
You cannot use the passport number of a passport that has expired.
What if you do not have a UK Passport?
You can post some other form of ID to prove your identity. Send one of the following documents when you apply:
A UK birth, adoption or naturalisation certificate – you’ll need to send further proof of identity with this.
Evidence you receive a state pension.
UK birth, adoption and naturalisation certificates
You can use a UK birth, adoption or naturalisation certificate. You must send it with one of the following:
National Insurance (NI) card or a letter from the DWP or HMRC showing your National Insurance number. Find your National Insurance number if you’ve lost it.
Photocopy of a benefits book’s front page or an original benefits claim letter.
P45, P60, or pay slips.
Marriage or civil partnership certificate.
A College or University Union Card, Education Certificate or PASS proof of age card (issued after June 2014)
your divorce or end of civil partnership document (decree nisi, decree absolute, conditional order or final order)
What ID do you need to apply for a provisional licence as a foreign citizen?
How you prove your identity in the UK depends on which identity documents you have.
There are different rules in Northern Ireland.
Prove your identity using a Share Code
You can get a share code to prove your identity with a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
You’ll have a UKVI account if you’ve ever:
If you used either the EU Exit: ID Check Document app or the UK Immigration ID Check app when applying:
applied to the EU Settlement Scheme.
used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to prove your identity when applying for a visa.
created one when applying for a visa (you’ll have received a UKVI account confirmation email).
created one to get access to an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status).
You can get a Share Code from the View & Prove Your Immigration Service.
If you have a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, you can get a share code to prove your identity.
You’ll have a UKVI account if you’ve ever:
- applied to the EU Settlement Scheme
- used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to prove your identity when applying for a visa
- created one when applying for a visa (you’ll have received a UKVI account confirmation email)
- created one to get access to an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status)
What if you do not have a Share Code?
You can post some other form of ID to prove your identity. Send one of the following documents when you apply:
A current and valid foreign passport not from an EU or EEA country – with a visa sticker or stamp showing you have permission to live in the UK.
A valid Irish passport – it does not need to have a visa sticker or stamp.
A travel document.
Key tips for learner and supervisor
Having a a parent or other family member teach you to drive can be more stressful than your driving instructor, so you must remain calm and patient. Share the following learner driver tips with the person teaching you to ensure they’re safe and give you the best advice.
- Make sure you already know the basics!
- Does your supervisor know the Highway Code?
- Does your supervisor want a refresher lesson?
- Check the car is roadworthy!
- Do you have the right insurance?
- Have you got L plates (or D plates in Wales)?
- Mirrors!
- Be careful not to switch off - stay focused!
- Plan your route!
- Avoid motorways!
- Can you take passengers when you practice?
- Night Drive!
- No mobile phones!
- No smoking!
- Make sure you both Remain Calm!
Make sure you already know the basics!
Make sure you already know the basics!
You should have covered the basic controls of the car with your driving instructor and be able to perform an emergency stop before you start supervised driving practice.
In addition, your supervisor should speak to your instructor before hitting the road so they understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Cost of driving lessons with big driving schools
If you go with a well-known franchise like The AA, expect to pay around £36 for a one-hour driving lesson in Greater Manchester — and up to £45 per hour if you live in West Sussex (April 2025 figures).
You might save up to 10% by block booking lessons or taking two-hour sessions. Branded driving schools often offer extras like theory test support or letting you choose which car you learn in.
Does your supervisor know the Highway Code?
Does your supervisor know the Highway Code?
Check that the person teaching you to drive is up to date with the rules in the The Highway Code to supervise a learner you must be able to apply all the rules. The code is regularly updated, so make sure you check for any recent changes.
Do they want a refresher lesson?
Do they want a refresher lesson?
Many supervisors choose to take a driving lesson with a driving instructor to refresh their skills before supervising a learner.
Ask the learner’s driving instructor if they can give you a lesson before you start supervising the learner. This will help you avoid passing on:
-
any bad driving habits you’ve developed
-
old techniques that may have been updated since you passed your driving test
Check the car is roadworthy!
Check the car is roadworthy!
The vehicle owner must make sure the car is safe and legal to drive.
Do you have the right insurance?
Do you have the right insurance?
Both you and your parent/supervisor must be insured when you have supervised driving practice. See teaching a learner driver insurance requirements
Have you got L plates (or D plates in Wales)?
Have you got L plates (or D plates in Wales)?
L (or D) plates must be displayed on the front and back of the car when the learner is driving. Plates must be removed when the supervisor is driving, indeed, when anyone with a full driving licence is driving the vehicle. A warning about how magnetic L plates can damage your vehicle.
Mirrors!
Mirrors!
We recommend using temporary removable rearview and wing mirrors to allow the supervisor to have enhanced visibility while the learner is driving.
Be careful not to switch off and stay focused!
Be careful not to switch off and stay focused!
During driving practice, the supervising driver needs to remain vigilant and prepared for any hazard or emergency. This involves constant scanning for risks and being ready to intervene if required. Such focus ensures safety and teaches the learner to drive responsibly.
Plan your route!
Plan your route!
Choose roads that are appropriate for your ability. The supervisor should make sure they’re clear and precise with their instructions and give ample notice.
Avoid motorways!
Avoid motorways!
It’s illegal for a learner driver to go on the motorway without an approved driving instructor (ADI) in a vehicle fitted with duel controls.
Can you take passengers when you practice?
Can you take passengers when you practice?
Yes, driving on a provisional licence with passengers is legal. Other passengers can sit in the car while the learner is supervised, but they should not distract the learner while they’re driving.
Night Drive!
Night Drive!
Yes, learner drivers can practice at night as long as they drive under the correct supervision.
No mobile phones!
No mobile phones!
It is illegal to use a mobile phone while supervising a learner driver.
No smoking!
No smoking!
Smoking is unlawful in a car if any occupants are under 18.
Make sure you both Remain Calm!
Make sure you both Remain Calm!
Step 2: Start revising for your theory test – before your licence even arrives
Start revising now. The sooner you pass your theory, the sooner you can book your practical test.
Many learners fail the theory test because they underestimate it or treat it like a school exam.
Failing means delays — sometimes weeks or even months.
What to revise:
| Part of the test | What it includes | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|
Multiple choice | 50 Questions | 43 Correct answers |
Hazard perception | 14 Video clips | 44 Out of 75 |
Use:
- Official DVSA app
- Driving Test Success app
- YouTube hazard clips + mock tests
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}Cost of driving lessons with big driving schools
If you go with a well-known franchise like The AA, expect to pay around £36 for a one-hour driving lesson in Greater Manchester — and up to £45 per hour if you live in West Sussex (April 2025 figures).
You might save up to 10% by block booking lessons or taking two-hour sessions. Branded driving schools often offer extras like theory test support or letting you choose which car you learn in.