Learning to drive – a guide for parents and guardians
We understand that the thought of your child or dependent learning how to drive can be a daunting one.
To help you both navigate this process, we have put together this comprehensive guide for parents and guardians. It covers everything from applying for a provisional licence, finding a suitable driving instructor, purchasing provisional insurance, and getting a learner driver ready to take their practical driving test.
Helping a learner driver through this journey is a significant and rewarding responsibility. By following this guide, you can support them effectively, ensuring they become confident and safe drivers.
Who can supervise a learner driver?
A learner driver must always be accompanied by a qualified driver when practicing in a car. This person is known as the learner driver supervisor. The supervisor must:
Be at least 21 years old.
Hold a full UK or EU driving licence for a minimum of three years.
Be qualified to drive the type of vehicle the learner is driving (e.g., manual, or automatic).
Rules For Supervising a Learner Driver
When supervising a learner driver, it is important to adhere to specific rules to ensure safety and legality:
The supervisor must sit in the front passenger seat.
The vehicle must display L plates (or D plates in Wales) on the front and rear.
The supervisor must not use a phone or sat nav when the learner is driving.
Anyone who meets the criteria for a learner driver supervisor can accompany a learner driver. This includes parents, guardians, relatives, or friends, providing that they meet all of the criteria. They do not need to be added on as an additional driver to supervise.
How does a learner driver apply for a provisional licence?
Before your child or dependant can begin learning to drive or take a driving theory test, they must apply for a provisional driving licence. The applicant must:
Be at least 15 years and 9 months old.
Be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. If they are unable to do this it will be best to book in with an optician for glasses or contacts
Applications can be made online via the DVLA website, costing £34. Applicants need to provide an identity document, addresses from the past three years, and their National Insurance number. The provisional licence usually arrives within a week when applied for online.
RoadHow courses
Applying for a driving theory test
Once the learner driver has their provisional licence, they can book a driving theory test from the age of 17 onwards.
The theory test consists of two parts:
1. Multiple choice questions based on The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs, and Driving – The Essentials.
2. Hazard perception, which involves identifying hazards in video clips.
Both parts must be passed to succeed their theory test.
Helping a learner driver prepare for their Theory Test
We recommend using official books and practice apps like RoadHow to help your learner driver prepare. With a Collingwood learner insurance you get premium access to RoadHow for free! Regular practice and mock tests can significantly improve their chances of passing.
Woman in car with her driving instructor
Finding a driving instructor
Choosing a suitable driving instructor is important for your learner driver’s progress.
Research local instructors, meet them in person if possible, and ask about their experience and pass rates.
Getting extra driving practice
Practicing with your learner driver can boost their confidence and readiness for the driving test. Here’s all you need to know about taking a learner driver out for private practice.
Before you start supervising a learner driver, ensure you have everything in place:
• Valid Provisional Licence: Confirm the learner driver has their provisional licence.
• Insurance: Ensure the learner driver is insured to drive your car or their own car.
• Vehicle Requirements: The car must be taxed, have a valid MOT, be roadworthy, and display L plates (or D plates in Wales).
• Supervising driver: The learner must always have a supervising driver in the front seat of the car. They must be at least 21 years old, have held a full driving licence for three years, and be qualified to drive the type of vehicle the learner is driving. They can be anyone who meets the criteria.
A well-planned driving practice schedule is essential. Consider the following:
• Time of Day: Practice during daylight hours when traffic is lighter.
• Route Planning: Choose familiar, less busy roads for initial practice, then gradually move to more complex routes.
• Skill Focus: Plan sessions around specific skills the learner driver needs to work on.
• Session Length: Keep practice sessions short to maintain focus and reduce stress.
Learning to drive can be stressful for both the learner and the supervisor. Keep the following in mind:
• Positive Reinforcement: Highlight what the learner did well to boost their confidence.
• Patience: Stay calm and patient, even if mistakes are made. A positive attitude creates a supportive learning environment.
• Short Sessions: Initially, keep sessions short and gradually increase the duration as confidence and skills improve.
The DVSA (Driver Vehicle Standards Agency) provides a useful form to track your learner driver’s progress. Recording practice sessions helps identify areas of improvement and can be shared with their driving instructor. This form includes:
• Practicing in various conditions (e.g., night driving, different weather)
• Driving on different types of roads (e.g., country roads, dual carriageways)
• Reviewing progress before and after lessons ensures a focused and structured approach to learning.
When the learner driver is ready, they can book their practical driving test. The test can be taken in their own, a parent/guardian, or a driving instructor’s car.
The car must:
• Be taxed
• Be insured for test. Collingwood learner policies cover for practical driving test.
• Be roadworthy with a current MOT (if over 3 years old)
• Have no warning lights showing
• Have no damage and legal tread depth on all tyres – no space saver tyres fitted.
• Have 4 wheels and a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500kg (find this information in the vehicle handbook)
• Be smoke free. You cannot smoke in the car before or during the test.
• Have a mph speedometer and be able to reach at least 62mph.
Things that must be fitted to the car:
• An extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner
• L Plates (or D Plates in Wales) on the front and rear
• A passenger seatbelt for the examiner and passenger head restraint
new driver
After the driving test
Whether they pass of fail the learner driver cannot drive home after their test. This is because they may not be in a good headspace if they fail, and if they pass they need full licence insurance to drive.
Passing the Test: Once a learner driver passes their test, their learner driver insurance must be cancelled. As it does not cover full licence holders. We may be able to pass you on to one of our affiliates after you pass.
Not Passing the Test: If the learner driver doesn’t pass, encourage them to continue practicing and schedule another test. They must wait a minimum of 10 days before booking again, providing an opportunity to work on their test feedback.
