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Learning to drive
Before you can start to learn to drive you will need to be at least 17 years of age and you must hold a valid, provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland (if you are receiving the higher rate a disability living allowance then your provisional licence will come into effect on your 16th birthday). You must also pass the eyesight requirements, if you are unable to read the number plate then you are not allowed to drive until you have had your eyes checked and the applicable lenses prescribed.
Applying for a provisional driving licence
You can apply for your provisional driving licence by completing the D1 application form that is available from your local Post Office branch. You will also need to enclose original documentation confirming your identity, a passport style colour photograph and the current fee of £50.00, alternately you can apply online using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) secure and easy to use online service.
Eyesight requirements
Before the practical driving test, your driving examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle. The distance requirement for the eyesight test using old style number plates is 20.5 metres or 20 metres if the new-style number plate is used. (New-style number plates are easily identifiable starting with two letters eg AB51 ZYX). If you can't speak English or have difficulty reading, you may copy down what you see.
Private practice
If you want to practice your driving with an accompanying driver, the accompanying driver must be over the age of 21 and must have held (and still hold) a full licence, in the relevant vehicle category, for three years. As a learner driver you must display 'L' plates in a prominent position on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving.
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