Learning to drive costs about £2,000, and the licence is the cheap bit. The real bills come from lessons, long waits for tests and, once you pass, insurance.
- Budget for around £1,900 all-in: a provisional licence, a theory test, about 45 hours of lessons and a practical test.
- Book tests only through GOV.UK. Sites that sell test slots at a mark-up are against the rules.
- Young drivers pay a lot for insurance. A black box, a small car and a low insurance group all help.
Figures for the 2026/27 tax year · last checked 2026-10-08
The steps
- Apply for a provisional licence on GOV.UK (£34 online). You can apply from 15 years and 9 months, and start driving at 17.
- Start lessons, and practise with a friend or family member too.
- Pass the theory test (£23).
- Pass the practical test (£62 on weekdays, £75 evenings and weekends).
Your theory pass lasts 2 years, so you must pass the practical test within that time or you'll need to take the theory test again.
What it costs
The DVSA says learners need about 45 hours of professional lessons, plus around 22 hours of private practice. At roughly £40 an hour, the costs look like this:
- About 45 hours of lessons at £40£1,800
- Provisional licence£34
- Theory and practical tests£85
Total£1,919
Rough figures for 2026/27. Lesson prices vary a lot by area, and many people need more or fewer hours. Practical test shown at the weekday fee, so the total is about £1,919.
Private practice in a family car is the biggest money-saver, but it needs the right insurance (see below) and the car owner's permission.
Getting good value from lessons
- Ask for a trial lesson before committing, and check the instructor is DVSA-approved (they display a green badge).
- Block bookings can save money, but don't pay for 30 hours upfront to someone you've never driven with.
- Two lessons a week usually gets you there in fewer total hours than one a week, because you forget less between sessions.
- Don't book the test too early. Your instructor should tell you when you're consistently making few or no mistakes.
Booking your tests
Waiting times for practical tests can be many weeks, and some areas are far longer. Book through GOV.UK only. Third-party sites that resell slots charge extra, and the DVSA actively cracks down on them.
If you need to cancel or move your test, you have to give at least 3 working days' notice or you lose the fee.
Insurance after you pass
Under-25s pay the most for car insurance because of the risk. Ways to bring it down:
- Black box (telematics). It records how, when and where you drive, and good driving earns a lower price. Late-night driving and harsh braking cost you.
- Pick the car carefully. Insurance groups run from 1 to 50. Small engines in low groups are far cheaper to insure than a hot hatch.
- Compare lots of quotes, and don't forget the price comparison sites that leave some insurers out.
- Build a no-claims bonus. Each claim-free year cuts the price.
Never "fronting". Naming a parent as the main driver when a young person does most of the driving is illegal and can void your insurance. If you'll be the main driver, say so.
Don't forget the running costs. Tax, MOT, fuel, servicing and tyres can all add up. A cheap-to-buy car that's expensive to insure and run isn't a bargain.