The minimum driving age varies for each country, and it all depends on where you are based. However, one can drive on the roads of the UK unsupervised if you are between the ages of 16 to 18 and also have a full driving license. This is the minimum driving age in the UK to get a full driving license. However, the rules differ for different circumstances.
In this blog, we will delve deep into top facts about when one is allowed to learn to drive and shed light on exceptions to the rules concerning the normal age for driving.
What is the right age to begin driving on the streets of the UK?
According to the law, those who want to begin the process to learn the skills of driving in the UK must be a minimum of 17 years old. A 17-year-old can pass both the theory and practical tests. This will allow an individual to get a full driving license and give them the opportunity to drive solo on the roads.
Those who are 15 years and 9 months old can apply for the provisional license. However, this provisional license does not apply to cars only. This provides an option to apply in advance for driving accompanied by a suitable driver and gives a chance to follow other learner rules.
Is it possible for a 16-year-old to drive?
One must adhere to strict criteria to drive on the roads of the UK before turning 17 years old. However, let us have a look at who can qualify to drive at this age and cash in on the young driver rules.
Apply for PIP or DLA to drive at 16
Those who are on the advanced mobility aspect of PIP also called Personal Independence Payment or have applied for it can drive at the age of 16. The same goes for those who are on or have applied for DLA or Disability Living Allowance. However, one must know for a fact that all other rules apply to them and to drive legally they need to have a valid provisional license.
The provisional must specify that one can drive as a 16 year old and it is important to tick the right boxes under Section 1. Once this is done, the DVLA will contact the driver or the DWP. This is a long procedure whether they will check the evidence the driver has received and the relevant benefits received by them.
One must check the date concerning the car category or category B once they receive the green card and check whether it is correct. In case there is a mistake by DVLA and they have issued the standard provisional license which states that one can only drive at the age of 17 one needs to contact them to get the updated version immediately.
What to do if the benefit stops?
Once the reassessment for receiving the benefits is done as the PIP or DLA of the driver is downgraded by DWP one is deprived of a higher rate of mobility. However, one can learn to drive and take both the theory and practical tests before they turn 17. Those who received the benefits illegitimately can no longer have this right and one needs to wait before they turn 17. Or else, the funding must be approved once again before they can drive.
Those who are disabled in the UK can lease a car under the Motability car scheme. Moreover, one can opt for a specialized instructor depending upon their disability. All driving instructors are not insured to guide a 16-year-old in the vehicle. Therefore, it is important to check with the driving school along with the professional instructors before the driving lessons are arranged.
However, driving on private land is not an option for most individuals. But there is some hope as there is no fixed legal minimum age while driving private land anywhere in the UK. However, there are certain conditions. Let us have a look at them.
- One must have the permission to drive a car.
- One must own the land
- They must have the permission of the landowner to use them.
- There is no public access to the land.
However, if the land belongs to the family one can use them after seeking permission. Moreover, a long-standing arrangement must be made to make sure that driving is legal on this piece of land. Furthermore, it is also important to pay heed to the public access rule. In privately owned land, which can be accessed by the public those who are under the age of 17 are not allowed to drive.
Insurance
One does not need to have insurance for driving on private land. This means in case of any kind of accident the owner cannot claim any amount from the insurer to fix it.
A driver to accompany
There is no need to have an accompanying driver who has tons of experience and will be sitting in the passenger seats with you. Drivers accompanying teach how to drive and check the technique. However, practising with an accompanying driver enhances the ability of the learner driver to pass the driving test with flying colours.
MOT and Tax if the vehicle has SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)
For those who are using a vehicle that has a SORN or Statutory Off Road Notification, there is no need to drive the car with a MOT or valid tax. In that case, one cannot take the car to any public land.
However, one can always cash in on the benefits of a formal lesson to drive on private land before they turn 17.
What is the benefit of learning to drive early?
According to statistics, those who have mastered the skills of driving before 17 have more chance of clearing the practical test. However, those 17 years old who stop-start driving lessons before can often find it hard to clear the driving test. At this age, most of them are confident while driving and this can make them young reckless drivers which can lead to serious accidents.
Final Lines
Although there is no specific age for learning the skills of driving those who start early definitely have an advantage. If you want to scoop more critical details about the minimum driving age in the UK get in touch with us at Confident Pass Driving School. We have the best Driving instructor near me who can make it easier for the learner driver to get a full driving license.
Those who would like to fetch more deets can scroll through our website. Feel free to book an appointment ASAP as we have you covered.